Product Details

• Format: Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 2
• Studio: Zeitgeist Video
• VHS Release Date: October 11, 1994
• Run Time: 166 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (86 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6303295576
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #262,492 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Peter Wintonick and Mark Achbar made this penetrating documentary about the career and views of linguist and media critic Noam Chomsky. While the man is the subject of the movie, the filmmakers wisely and carefully choose not to make Chomsky more important than his insights into the way print and electronic journalism tacitly and often willingly further the agendas of the powerful. We learn a lot about Chomsky's formative experiences as a child, student, academic, activist, and politician (he has campaigned for office), but we learn just as much about the media institutions that deny him access today, from ABC to PBS. The centerpiece of the film, arguably, is a long examination into the history of the New York Times' coverage of Indonesia's atrocity-ridden occupation of East Timor, reportage that (as Chomsky shows us) was absolutely in lock step with the government's unwillingness to criticize an ally. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

141 of 144 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Eye Opener, October 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Manufacturing Consent - Noam Chomsky and the Media [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Despite the previous reviewer's remarks, not once in this film does Noam Chomsky argue that the media suppreses certain news items at the behest of the goverment. Instead, he argues that the national media, as part of the elite corporate power structure, has certain vested interests in not reporting on potentially embarrasing events where the U.S. government is heavily involved on the wrong side. Places like East Timor in the late 1970s, for example. There is no conspiracy theory here. Chomsky is very clear on that. Rather, it's simply a case of people and corporations in power seeking to maintain their hold on power. That's it. Chomsky is an advocate of full, democratic participation in all aspects of American life, and that's the case he presents in this film. It's a wonderful educational tool. Highly recommended.

149 of 159 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must See, Regardless of Your Views, May 15, 2000

By 

Allan Ostermann "allan" (Portland (the one on the left)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Manufacturing Consent - Noam Chomsky and the Media [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is one of the most influential documentaries I've ever seen. It has affected my life in ways I never imagined; like reading Walden or Catcher in the Rye in high school.

It's very difficult to rebuke what Dr. Chomsky says and writes. He backs up his views with miles of objective research (although even he may claim that no source is truly objective). He spoke of East Timor in the 70's. Perhaps you recall sound bites about the atrocities, which finally became "public" in about 1999.

But Manufacturing Consent sticks to media influence; how corporations control the media, and that the media is not free speech since it's owned by corporations. The New York Times will print what is in the interest of The New York Times.

Government will suppress news in its best interest. This is only considered a "fact" if one looks historically. We laugh at the inane propaganda of early newsreels, but is World News Tonight any different? Will it cover mass genocide in other countries without previous consent or some agenda? No. If the US backs the current regime, chances are you won't hear about any problems in, say, some small country near Indonesia, or in Africa.

There's so much to say about Chomsky, but I must end. See this film, even if you hate it. It will make you think. You may just think Chomsky's a paranoid nut, but at least it made you think. And it's harder to question an MIT scholar (who just so happens to also be the most important figure in Linguistics) than, say, a commentator with a degree in Communications.

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thorough and entertaining introduction to Noam Chomsky, September 7, 2003

By 

Tony Hall "If the movie stinks, just don't go!" (the internet) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Manufacturing Consent - Noam Chomsky and the Media (DVD)

I originally bought this DVD because I read a review that said it's a great place to start if you don't know much about Noam Chomsky and I'd like to reaffirm that with my review. This DVD is a wonderful introduction to Noam Chomsky, his political views, and his theories of media propaganda. You should know that this is not a Noam Chomsky produced film. This is a documentary about Noam Chomsky by people that of course support his views.

Although it says "DVD release date 2002" above, you should realize that this film is kinda old. Some of the cheesy visual and sound effects are laughable, but that's not what's important with this DVD. Another thing that you should know is that this is not the type of film that you want to watch on a romantic evening with your loved one. My girlfriend was bored to tears for all THREE hours of it! Of course I was loving every minute of it. Buy it, make yourself some coffee, and watch it alone.

One more thing: Although this is no substitute for Noam Chomsky's book of the same title, this is also an excellent source of the basic ideas in the book. By the time you finish watching this documentary, you'll be able explain to your friends how the media selectively filters information in the interests of themselves, the government, and the system (not how Noam would say it) before reaching you and the history books.