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Naomi Klein, Kieran O'Brien, Milton Friedman, Arnold Harberger, Donald O. Hebb ... see more see more... , Edward M. Korry , Janine Huard , Joseph S. Blair , Michael Townley

Naomi Klein's controversial best-selling book which explores how both natural and man-made disasters are used to force disadvantageous political and economic changes on unwilling governments is brough... read more read more...t to the screen in this documentary from filmmakers Michael Winterbottom and Mat Whitecross. Using electroshock treatment as a metaphor -- a harsh jolt to the body and brain that, after being embraced as a healing method, was in turn discovered to cause more harm than good -- The Shock Doctrine explores how the United States, with the help of the C.I.A., became enamored of Milton Friedman's interpretation of free-market capitalism and attempted to persuade developing nations of its value. However, since fully unregulated markets tended to create an unbalanced economic climate in which a small number of people became extremely wealthy and vast numbers were plunged into poverty, the United States was only successful at selling free market deregulation to countries in crisis who had no practical choice than to do what the wealthiest and most powerful nation on Earth demanded. The results led to both widespread privation and violence in Russia, Poland, Chile, South Africa and the Middle East, and The Shock Doctrine explains how this happened, where it's still going on, and what can be done to stop it. The Shock Doctrine was an official selection at the 2009 Berlin International Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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61% liked it

319 ratings

Critics

60% liked it

10 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 18 min.

Directed by: Michael Winterbottom, Mat Whitecross

Release Date: January 1, 2009

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DVD Release Date: October 17, 2011

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Flixster Reviews (54)

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Critic Reviews

Kirk Honeycutt
January 25, 2010
Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter

This movie, clearly assembled in haste, throws surprisingly poor archival footage into the mix with a Klein lecture, scant original interviews and a narration from on high that will brook no dissent.

Dennis Schwartz
September 24, 2011
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

In a lucid way clears up how America is now in the midst of a severe financial crisis through questionable free market policies. Full Review

Christopher Campbell
January 31, 2010
Christopher Campbell, Cinematical

The worst that comes out of the documentary's final moments is the sense that Winterbottom and Whitecross ultimately don't know what their film is supposed to be about. Full Review

S. James Wegg
January 30, 2010
S. James Wegg, JWR

Pure capitalism unmasked Full Review

Louis Proyect
January 29, 2010
Louis Proyect, rec.arts.movies.reviews

A movie that describes the scorched earth policy associated with free market fundamentalism, continuing with the current occupant of the White House. Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
January 28, 2010
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

The back story to the political and economic landscape of our times and the reasons why the rich are getting richer and the world is in such a mess. Full Review

Christopher Null
January 28, 2010
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

it's pretty clear even without further knowledge that tying every single ill in the modern world to Friedman's free market policies is being far too narrow minded Full Review

Luke Y. Thompson
January 28, 2010
Luke Y. Thompson, Geekweek

I'd recommend this most to younger audiences who are starting to take an interest in politics, and would be interested in a crash course on the last 30 years or so, at least from one particular perspe... Full Review

David Nusair
January 27, 2010
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

...an inherently compelling premise that's squandered virtually from start to finish... Full Review

Harvey S. Karten
January 20, 2010
Harvey S. Karten, Compuserve

A stunning, exquisitely photographed and narrated diatribe against the excesses of capitalism. Full Review

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  • Alfonso Cuarón, apart from being the director of "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" is also a director with 3 Oscar nominations. Which of the following films he WAS NOT nominated for?  Answer »
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