Oliver Stone's Secret History of America

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Season 1
Metascore
51

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8

Critic Reviews

  1. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    Nov 12, 2012
    58
    It's all weirdly engrossing.
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Mary McNamara
    Nov 12, 2012
    50
    Narrated by Stone with no other voices (save actors filling in for various world leaders), Untold History is a hodgepodge of terrific if often disturbing historical footage and bizarre theatrical asides (including, at one point, the dictionary definition of "empathy" spelled out on the screen) that are almost overwhelmed by its invasive soundtrack.
  3. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Alessandra Stanley
    Nov 12, 2012
    50
    Mr. Stone brings a more stentorian absolutism, leaving no room for doubt or nuance.
  5. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Nov 12, 2012
    50
    As a whole, the project cries out for the voices of third-party historians--or at least some voice, beyond the grainy newsreel footage and dramatic readings by actors, other than Stone's.
  6. Philadelphia Daily News
    Reviewed by: Ellen Gray
    Nov 12, 2012
    50
    I was far from convinced, but was left curious to know more about [Franklin D. Roosevelt vice president Henry] Wallace, which is maybe as much as anyone can expect from a TV show like this.
  7. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    Nov 12, 2012
    50
    Ably abetted by the superb editing work by Alex Marquez, Untold Story shows how the nation's international policies were shaped, refracted and, at times, undermined by internal politics. That said, Stone's predictably narrow intensity sometimes works against him, frequently throwing the overall balance of each film off by leaving us with unanswered questions on some topics, and, in a way, too much information on others.

Awards & Rankings

58
#58 Most Discussed TV Season of 2012
59
#59 Most Shared TV Season of 2012

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 29
  3. Negative: 9 out of 29
  1. christoban
    Dec 3, 2012
    0
    I'm not sure what a far leftist Hollywood producer is doing writing History Channel documentaries. By the over the top anti-American skew ofI'm not sure what a far leftist Hollywood producer is doing writing History Channel documentaries. By the over the top anti-American skew of this series, History Channel might as well have hired Michael Moore. Time and time again, we are treated to highly one sided stories which paint the U.S. in the worst possible light. This series, while sometimes interesting, is not history. It is propaganda. I wonder if History Channel would be OK with a similar series by the likes of Rush Limbaugh?… Full Review »
  2. movieboy
    Nov 16, 2012
    8
    Knowing Stone's interest in illuminating some dark shadows in our past I eagerly wait future episodes. Must admit I thought there would beKnowing Stone's interest in illuminating some dark shadows in our past I eagerly wait future episodes. Must admit I thought there would be more skeletons revealed in the first show but I was intrigued throughout.… Full Review »
  3. Rattazustra
    Jan 17, 2013
    1
    Ignoring the first episode (which contained absolutely nothing untold and held no surprises at all for any semi-educated person), the seriesIgnoring the first episode (which contained absolutely nothing untold and held no surprises at all for any semi-educated person), the series has proven to be slightly confusing. While at times it seems that it is nothing but elaborately phrased and painfully obvious extreme leftist propaganda, this is led ad absurdum when Stone attacks monuments of left wing politics with no other intend but to make himself appear more credible, more critical and more analytical. It is painful to watch because it uses the most brutish, most obvious and most unworthy rhetorical methods possible. It is a disgrace for any side in the political spectrum, it is mostly uninformative and it leaves the bitter aftertaste of stuporous misinformation and conspiracy nutjob babbling. At least it DOES give some insight into the thoughts of confused leftist conspiracy nutjobs and history revisionists.… Full Review »
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