The Power of Nightmares: The Rise of the Politics of Fear

Following the twin fortunes of Islamic fundamentalism and American neo-conservatism through the decades was a brilliant decision. Overarching this history is the sense that we are living in times where belief, confidence, and desire, whether political, economic, or individual, have failed.

This documentary observes that while neocons and Islamic jihadists may be sworn enemies, they are cut from the same cloth. The world isn't divided into the good and the evil, it's divided into those who believe in good and evil, and those who don't. The true enemy of the neocons isn't Islam, it's cultural and moral relativism. The true enemy of the Islamists isn't the West, it's moderate muslims. The world is a complicated place, but sometimes it appears stupid in its simplicity.

Like many great documentaries I can only fault it for not being longer, as I would gladly watch another six hours of well researched logically explained footage. In particular more depth about the revolution in Iran would have been very interesting. Has some jaw-dropping moments where politicians nonchalantly admit to fabricating falsehoods.

Excellent Documentary that brings a clarity to the otherwise incomprehensible thinking of Islamic Fundamentalists and, more interestingly, Neocons. Maintains an academic tone, yet cleverly undercuts that with humorous stock footage. Revealing the 'magicians tricks' of Neocons is especially satisfying to watch.

A pretty comprehensive look at how two ideologies born from the same dissatisfaction can have such immense consequences for the world. Informative, chilling, infuriating, depressing.

Enlightening, compelling documentary series all about the twin rise of the NeoCons on our side and the Islamic fundies on theirs that's full of visual and auditory references to classic horror and fantasy films. Now we know how all this crap started. How do we get it to stop?!

Adam Curtis is a virtuoso documentary maker and this is another magnificent piece of work. Completely alays fears of terrorism, but makes you terrified of government and mainstream media. Everyone should see this. Everyone.

Between this and The Century of Self, Mr. Curtis has succeeded in making me hate my country!... The way he parallels the rise of Islamic Fundamentalism and the rise of Neo-Conservatism in America is expertly researched and brilliantly articulated, and some of the connections that are brought to the surface are downright terrifying. The latter part, dealing with the Bush era, is just plain depressing because its still so fresh in our minds; the first two parts are must-see though.

It's like "Zeitgeist," except real. Adam Curtis is absolutely brilliant and viewing this has prompted me to seek out everything else he has done.

Alongside The Trap, so far the best political documentary I've seen. Meticulously crafted, comprehensive, and entertainingly slick. It's a crying shame that gasbag Moore released Fahrenheit 9/11 the same year and became the darling of the left, because Adam Curtis covers the same ground and is so much better it's not even funny.

Fundamentalist mythmaking and its role as historical force. Like all other post 2000 Adam Curtis series, uncomfortable for Curtis' suspiciously assured tone throughout alone.

An incredible, mind-blowing piece. Towards the end, once you've learnt enough, some of the stuff just becomes hilarious - I couldn't stop laughing at the cave with the bedrooms and internet and shit.

Well if this doesn't put the fear of God into regarding George Bush's friends, nothing will. By the way, those who want to whine about liberal bias or nail me to a tree for liking this can go sit in the stupid corner.

If you are thinking about homeschooling your kids or yourself, be sure to add Curtis' documentaries on the top of the list. This is disturbingly real and as objective as it gets -with interviews with Perle, Wolfowitz and alike.

The first two episodes - focusing on the rise of modern radical Islam as well as parts of the neoconservative movement, are excellent. The last episode, while feeling slightly incomplete, is still a nice reminder of how insane everyone became following 9/11. It's a bit too narrow in its focus on the two ideologies to really summarize the era, but it's still a really well-made documentary.

in the best documentaries, it is necessary to maintain a hold of the facts. however, as a director, it's hard to convey historical truth in a mere three hours, and as a viewer, it's hard to completely ascertain the truth of what you're watching in the same timeframe. therefore, in the best documentaries, it is also necessary to have something extra, to convey a sense, a mood, an atmosphere, of a particular topic. this one portrays a disillusionment in the collective psyche very well.

Brilliant, disturbing and unsettling documentary about how the ideologies and madness of a few people shapes the world. Masterful movie making: You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll loose all faith in humanity. Now, go listen to Pink Floyd's 'The Fletcher Memorial Home'

The absolute epitome of unsettling documentaries, drawing a chilling comparison between the neo-conservative hawks of the American government and it's quote-unquote greatest enemy: The terrorist. It's greatest pick-me-up is that there IS no Al-Qaeda, in the sense of an organized international army of Muslim fundamentalists, after which - of course - it does everything to make you wish to God there were.

Absolutely essential Curtis doc, with no hint of conspiracy sprinkled between the juicy real parts. Also makes you never trust any public servants.

Viewed November 29, 2017.

A bit myopic in its conception of history, but as an examination of the then current state of affairs it really shines. It explains and contextualizes things well, and ten years later its clear to see how the present state of politics is a continuation of the past 20 or 30 years.

Quite a lot of information about the potemkin village that is the "war on terror."

Observations from the first 30 mins: interesting to see how 9/11 started and ended with torture and how the political situation surrounding the Detente or the agreement to lower nuclear capabilities with Russia is pretty much the same as the deal with Iran now. It was stupid then and it is stupid now.

Brilliant three-part Adam Curtis documentary series looking into the origins and rise of the radical Islamist movement, its neoconservative contemporary, and how both mirror each other in using fear, exaggeration and downright lies to stoke the fires of their supporters and further their idealistic aims. With such a commendably distanced, objective overview, more people need to see this, especially as - sadly - the issues raised are just as relevant over a decade on.

scary :(

The music is great, the visuals are good and the content is amazing.

Very interesting and eye-opening

Curtis juxtaposes the neo-cons and the Islamic fundamentalists in a way that felt somewhat blasphemous at the time. The montages of period footage are superb: atmospheric, frightening, funny.

The circus of the neocons is alive and well. The techniques Curtis applies to this documentary are questionable (really? are you really using the Halloween theme music? I get it already, stop with the sledgehammer approach), but the merits far outweigh the faults. An important work that deserves to be watched by all.

What is the place of idealism in society? I can safely say that I don't know, but you won't be short of evidence for either side after watching this.

Hurf

Nice insight into two 'different' sides and how it all started. Some of the information is quite shocking (the 'charges' of some of the terrorists on American soil, some information on Osama and al Qaeda). Definitely worth a watch.

Brilliantly observed, and brilliantly written.

Pretty much cuts through the propaganda from one side and insane conspiracy theories from the other side, to reveal the real story of the Neo-cons, al-Qaeda and 9/11.

Everyone should watch this film. It is brilliant, terrifying, and in some ways prescient. Adam Curtis weaves together the histories of two seemingly opposite sorts of extremism and shows how they have almost identical roots. He also explains how neoconservatism has altered the way government interacts with people. All of this done primarily with archive footage. Brilliant! Also, watch "The Trap" and "The Century of the Self."