The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers

Why would a dedicated Cold War strategist throw away his career, his friends, and risk life in prison for a chance to help end the Vietnam War? In 1971, Daniel Ellsberg, a leading military planner, concluded that America’s role in the war was based on decades of lies. He leaked the Pentagon Papers, 7,000 pages of top-secret documents, to The New York Times, a daring act of conscience that led to Watergate, President Nixon’s resignation and the end of the Vietnam War. The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers, nominated for an Oscar®, is a gripping tale told by Ellsberg with a who’s who of Vietnam- and Watergateera figures. A co-production of ITVS in association with American Documentary/POV. (120:00)