This is the greatest ever cinematic attempt to explain what led to our present situation, and the first of Curtis's truly superb documentary series. It should be accompanied by a reading of Bernard Stiegler's books, Acting Out and The Decadence of Industrial Democracies. Curtis's three series, and in particular this explication of the meaning and significance of the 20th century, make him the first truly 21st century documentary filmmaker.

Kind of repetitive in places. Also veers too sharply into politics for the last episode, it would have been nice to have explored a broader scope of how the Internet is further factionalizing us and continuing the consumerist trend (for example). Still, the link between Bernays and Freud is fascinating and well worth a documentary.

Penetrating narrative of how industrialisation and capitalism have been making profits out of people by manipulating the mechanism of desire and commodifying the idea of democracy and freedom, which has led to the destruction of the socio-political milieu. Curtis is very good at provoking a feeling of terror inside people with the combination of music and footage.

The most focused of Curtis' post-2000 docs and the most biased, in a way. He seems openly contemptuous of the way consumerism and inwardness has replaced community and political awareness. May be my favorite conspiracy-tinged documentary.

Psychology, public relations, capitalism, politics, media, irrational desires, focus groups, individuality, and how all these things relate to one another within the broad theme of controlling the masses. Adam Curtis delivers another fascinating piece of work that excels in its clear presentation, showing how simple ideas can be picked up, twisted around and have a huge influence on our lives years later.

Amazing, they should show this in every school. People NEED to know this.

4 of the most important hours of moving pictures ever created. Plus it makes me want to pee on Edward Bernays' grave.

A must see for anyone who suspects that marketing has changed the course of humanity. A revelative documentary for the younger viewers

Lots of interesting insights, but the throughline is muddled by the film's large scope.

Definitely one of the most interesting documentaries I have ever watched. So many documentary filmmakers reach for ridiculous conspiracies about the US government, aliens, 9.11 etc... while this documentary carefully ties together a series of factual occurrences which paints a picture far more frightening than that of George Bush running around in his underpants planting bombs in the twin towers.

I'll give it points for being amusing like most BBC documentaries of this sort, but I can't give it full credit due to the amount of fallacies the documentary presents and how much vital stuff they miss. I think they overestimate Freud's presence in the field of psychology which, considering how significant he actually was, says a lot.

It was 2 hour too long! Otherwise it would have got 85 for interesting content. Things to be learned: 1. Freud had a lot of bad theories. 2. We are too eager to buy the "new iPhone". 3. Good marketing experts easily fool us to buy stuff (or make us vote for a candidate)

extremely enlightening.

This is a documentary that should be required viewing for all impressionable teenagers (and adults), but it never will be considering the copyright footage used prevents it from even allowing a DVD release (see it on Google Video). Although I found the first episode - about the origins of PR in America and how it was spearheaded by Freud's cousin Bernays - the most interesting, the latter episodes are still incredibly insightful into how corporations, and now politicians, control the masses.

A terrifying but masterful piece of work. Adam Curtis is a bastian of what journalism used to, and should still be. His programmes are always thoughtful, contextualised and well researched. Terrific.

Fascinating and disturbing documentary about how Freud's ideas were almost immediately pressed into service -- not to heal broken minds or anything like that, but to control people... and how ideas on how to do this spread like cancer throughout the world

Again, Adam Curtis is brilliant. This documentary deals with the rise of Freudianism as well as the rise of public relations. Fascinating and thought provoking.

The astonishing efforts that obviously went into research is, unfortunately, not done justice by the often naïve and/or generalised analysis of the information. The concluding remarks are particularly dubious. The editing and overall structure and presentation is precise and effective. Quite enjoyable despite its flaws.

What if I told you the self is as impermanent as everything else in this existence and clinging to it is just suffering? Curtis proves that so many human actions are pointless because we think too much.

This does not have a coherent structure, instead it's statement of facts around the trends in society, which may seem paradoxical at times. You need to derive your own conclusion from this. It's incredibly well made. A lot of exclusive interviews shown. Great audio quality. Adam has a good voice.

It was the first time I was introduced to psychoanalysis and Freud's theories and those around him. Was completely blown away by this approach of connecting psychology, media, politics, advertising, films, and everything. Shot in a pretty convential tv docu style but great material.

So much info!

23 Eylul 2014 & Bu gunumuz toplumunun izahi belgesel her lisede gosterilmeli.

No episódio 1 vemos a influência de Freud e Berneys na ascenção política e econômica dos EUA dos anos 20/30. No episódio 2 vemos a influência de Anna Freud na repressiva sociedade americana dos anos 40 e 50 e Herbert Marcuse que viria destruir tais conceitos nos anos 60. No episódio 3 vemos a tentativa de liberação do indivíduo nos anos 60 e 70 através de Fritz Perls e Wilhelm Reich que foi usado para o individualismo dos anos 80. No episódio 4 vemos a manipulação política dos anos 80 e 90.

Ona re-watch this is horribly tainted by Curtis' own South Park Republicanism, still worth a watch though.

agree to the general idea. but some quick & 'crude' explanations/generalisations. had to be more accurate in terms of 'agency' and 'structure' or meaning of 'rational' versus 'irrational' (but of course, we are not dealing with a social scientific endeavour here). irritated by the unfairly hostile representation of Freud. we are talking about one of the few truly revolutionary geniuses; not some misuse of his theory and methodology.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JevW-g2rCu8

Very intersting, but the way it is presented is very dry. Nonetheless, it should be mandatory viewing for students.

Critique of popular culture, the best I have ever seen.

A valuable documentary that seeks to explain how our sociopolitical world got into the mess it's in now. I think Curtis's understanding of the symptoms is correct, but his explanation of the cause seems a bit too simplistic; by the midpoint of the series I was yearning for a more concrete anchor to grab onto. The fourth part does a good job of tying it all together, and we're left with the paradox that true insight into the problem probably shows that we're too far gone for it to do any good.

A fine and ultimately moderate series illustrating the 21st century connection between psychoanalysis, business and politics, all entwined by the thread of the individual. Bernays's 'Torches of Freedom' is a stroke of brilliance and is quiet proof that despite intense scrutiny of his uncles work that there is a connecting factor between their respective fields. The Freudian slip moment caught by Curtis is beyond comedy.

Very well done documentary on the impacts of psychology on Anglo-Saxon civilisation. Loses focus after the FDR era. By the time we get to Reagan we're all but reduced to monochrome coverage.

another great documentary by mr adam curtis. i feels a bit stretched out though, could've fit into 3 hours methinks. it's nice to think about the implications in the world today, seems to be getting worse all the time