Citizenfour

RADiUS-TWC | Release Date: October 24, 2014

7.6	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 157 Ratings

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User Reviews

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OpinionatedGuyMar 23, 2015

When I heard that there is going to be a documentary about Edward Snowden, I reacted like this: “Of course there is. It’s a news current event so a documentary is needed about him and the event.” What I did not expect is a documentary thatWhen I heard that there is going to be a documentary about Edward Snowden, I reacted like this: “Of course there is. It’s a news current event so a documentary is needed about him and the event.” What I did not expect is a documentary that documents the entire scandal from start to finish on location by Laura Poitras with her camera as she documents with her first e-mail from “CitizenFour” aka Edward Snowden to Snowden’s post-interview in Russia.

What makes this documentary so intriguing to watch was that it feels like you’re watching a political thriller movie that happens to have no script at all because it’s all real and that’s scary.

I have to praise Laura Poitras for forming a story that we can follow in this documentary and it basically helps me understand more about the situation.

This documentary also makes it easy to root for the people involved in this leaking especially Edward Snowden. This documentary also helped me to understand Edward Snowden a little bit more. He is neither a hero nor a traitor, he is just a human being that worked in a government job that has policies that he is disgusted with, that he wants to make sure everyone is reminded that the government is fooling the public and abusing their power because he is concerned about his fellow human beings’ privacy and freedom.

CitizenFour is a documentary that I feel like everyone should watch if they are concerned about their privacy and freedom. On top of that, it feels like a political thriller at the same time and that enhances the viewing experience.… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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mrniceMay 12, 2015

I would have appreciated more technical information, but the story has wide ramifications and the portrait of the leak itself is amazingly intimate, historically so.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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NRNSWJul 4, 2015

This should be mandatory viewing for all citizens of the world. It shows how the media worked with Snowden to leak the information and then also how the governments reacted.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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The3AcademySinsJan 23, 2019

Citizenfour is one of my favorite documentaries. Laura Poitras masterfully frames the subject matter like a political thriller. The scary thing is that this is a true political thriller with no traces of fiction. This documentary also servesCitizenfour is one of my favorite documentaries. Laura Poitras masterfully frames the subject matter like a political thriller. The scary thing is that this is a true political thriller with no traces of fiction. This documentary also serves as a beautifully crafted character study of Edward Snowden, who we get to watch during the most vulnerable moments of his entire life. Anyone who is interested in politics, privacy, security, or just interesting people needs to give Citizenfour a watch. It will keep you on the edge of your seat.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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marricksNov 3, 2014

Having followed these issues closely since the initial leak I have been quite excited about this movie since hearing it.

This movie is a compelling overview of the events that led up to the leak right up to what is happening today. ItHaving followed these issues closely since the initial leak I have been quite excited about this movie since hearing it.

This movie is a compelling overview of the events that led up to the leak right up to what is happening today. It mixes live footage of Glenn, Poitras, and Snowden's initial meeting with presentations, interviews, and new coverage of the events. It's engaging, terrifying, and even funny in a Kafkaesque manner. Go see it!… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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foxgroveNov 2, 2014

Laura Poitras is to be commended for her bravery in making this important documentary about the American government's tactics of spying on its own people. Aided by whistle blower Edward Snowden we are privy to the magnitude of the situation.Laura Poitras is to be commended for her bravery in making this important documentary about the American government's tactics of spying on its own people. Aided by whistle blower Edward Snowden we are privy to the magnitude of the situation. Snowden himself comes over as articulate and considered in what he has to say whilst understandably becoming more nervous, albeit still committed, as the story breaks in the media.
The film is both compelling and chilling as it pinpoints how through the government's actions democracy and freedom of speech are being eroded just that little bit more. At one point in the film Obama is heard to say that the issues under scrutiny could have been discussed through debate. Really!!!!!!!! I mean where is the debate when no one is aware of what is going on?
There is a famous saying-'Evil flourishes when good men do nothing'. The question here has to be who are the good men? It is ironic to note that modern technology so revered by everyone is the very thing being used as a tool against us!… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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P4inskillerMay 19, 2018

Simply the true story about the first and maybe biggest hero of the 21st century! A must see for everyone who is interesting for the topics of freedom and human rights. Snowden is a world hero and I am as German shamed that the germanSimply the true story about the first and maybe biggest hero of the 21st century! A must see for everyone who is interesting for the topics of freedom and human rights. Snowden is a world hero and I am as German shamed that the german government didn't give him asylum - of course, because she is sill involved in hurting the rights of german (and foreign) people. In the year 2018 even more lies, surveillance and criminal activities by the german government -> wikipedia: "NSA Untersuchungsausschuss". Also shame on Angela Merkel as puppet of the Obama government! My highest respect for this young american guy, Edward Snowden! Truly a hero!… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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MattBrady99Jul 10, 2015

So I just watch the Oscar winning documentary Citizenfour and it was pretty good. The documentary is well made and has a lot of things to like about it, but I never feel like I'm going to watch it again and it's not for everyone. Some peopleSo I just watch the Oscar winning documentary Citizenfour and it was pretty good. The documentary is well made and has a lot of things to like about it, but I never feel like I'm going to watch it again and it's not for everyone. Some people may get bored out of they minds watching this documentary but while some may find it interesting, for me I was interested on what was going on and the topic that the documentary was focusing on. I would recommend this to those who love documentaries and see what you think of it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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miccaelApr 15, 2019

Basically a must-watch movie for everyone who cares about privacy. this should be shown in schools, maybe cut into main important bits but definitely shown so that kids of today and adults of tomorrow value their privacy and freedom. (alsoBasically a must-watch movie for everyone who cares about privacy. this should be shown in schools, maybe cut into main important bits but definitely shown so that kids of today and adults of tomorrow value their privacy and freedom. (also I don't get why there are negative reviews for such an important film)… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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