Secrecy [DVD] [2008] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

A variety of perspectives is presented here, as well as useful information. I came away with a clearer sense of the intertwining issues, timelines, pressures, causes and outcomes that have led to the complex behemoth called government secrecy. The struggle presented in this documentary is where to draw the line between revelation and concealment and how to maintain a rational balance between the two. It isn't likely we'll ever reach a unanimous opinion in a country this size but we should all at least have a sense of the dynamics and what's at stake.

As others have pointed out, the information could have been organized in a more chronological manner. At the same time, the mosaic-like presentation made individual stories and pieces of information stand out more for me. An interesting documentary to pair with this one is Cheney's Law, which also involves the topic of secrecy.

The recent history and evolution of the policies of the US Government regarding national security, covert operations, the gathering of intelligence, the treatment of prisoners, the dissemination of information, and the genesis of the policy of governmental secrecy, are among the subjects covered in the documentary Secrecy (2008). The film acknowledges some of the key events in American history that affected change in intelligence policy. These include World War II, the Manhattan Project, the Cold War, the formation of the CIA, the terrorist attacks on 9/11, and conflicts in the Middle East. Also discussed is the genesis of the State's Secret privilege, a legal means where evidence can be excluded from a case, if the Government provides statements that attest that nation security would be compromised.

The film consists primarily of interview clips with various individuals, including those involved in the intelligence field, former government officials, reporters, legal experts, and relatives of victims killed while conducting government business. While there are many opinions expressed, and some interesting and provocative subjects are explored, the somewhat unorganized way that the film jumps around between numerous subjects, isn't the most conducive to understanding the situation. Discussion of historical events, comments and opinions, personal experiences, and coverage of specific cases, are all mixed together.

A better approach might have been to lay a basic foundation, then focus on how the State's Secret privilege was established, and then move on to the various related subjects. While the material to do this effectively may not have been available, the producers certainly could have improved on the way the information is presented.

The crucial precedent setting case that established the State's Secrets Privilege, involved a US Air Force B-29 that crashed in 1948, while on a mission to perform top secret tests. An investigation of the crash was conducted, and a report was issued. The apparent conclusion was that recommended maintenance procedures were not followed by the Air Force, which eventually contributed to the crash, and the death of nine men. In a case that went up to the Supreme Court in 1952, the release of the report was deemed as a compromise of national security, setting a legal precedent that is routinely employed today to permit the Government to keep certain matters secret. As a result of this decision, the truth regarding the cause of the crash was kept secret for fifty years. Some of the relatives of those killed in the accident, died never knowing the truth. Those who may have been entitled to monetary compensation through the courts, were denied that opportunity.

In regards to secrecy, matters are seldom black and white. Some may think otherwise, but what constitutes "national security" is typically determined at some level by the Government, be that an individual, a committee, or even at the judicial level. Often, the average citizen will have no knowledge of the situation, and even if they do, will have little or no power to affect anything. The documentary does a good job of pointing out the kind of injustices and inequities that unfortunately can occur under such conditions.

The US Government has used the legal system to try and prevent what are deemed as secrets in the national interest from being revealed. Expecting anything else would be unrealistic, as most government agencies operate to protect their interests, and not necessarily to serve justice, or the interests of the people. While regrettable, such is the nature of man, power, and government.

Post 9/11, America has become even more acutely aware of the importance of maintaining security, however what constitutes "security" is subject to much interpretation. For some, achieving that goal can be a very dirty business, where the law is not always followed. With the Government generally reluctant to break secrecy, uncovering covert or illegal actions will be difficult. So the incidents revealed in this documentary are quite enlightening and intriguing, and undoubtedly only the tiniest tip of an iceberg.

The premise of this documentary was interesting, however the way it was put together made me feel like I was watching a grainy old documentary back in grade school. There was hardly any "wow" factor that really made me think about how the government handles top secret material. I think we all know the government is less than honest with the American public. This concept was not earth shattering. That's about all this documentary had to offer. It may have been more tolerable if it wasn't continually jumping from one event to another and instead focused on a single event from start to finish before moving on.