Introduction"Wormwood" is a 2017 American docudrama miniseries directed by popular film-maker Errol Morris. The Netflix initial series blends its narrative with remarkable reenactments and interviews. The subject includes the mysterious death of military researcher Frank Olson and the efforts of his boy, Eric Olson, to uncover the truth.
Story and Content"Wormwood" starts with the portrayal of the events leading up to November 28, 1953, when Frank Olson, an Army biochemist, plunged to his death from a New York hotel room. The U.S. federal government initially declared it was an accident, however later on revealed he had actually been dosed with LSD as part of the CIA's mind control program, dubbed MK-Ultra, days prior to his death. Amidst this discovery and a main apology by President Gerald Ford to the Olson household in 1975, Eric Olson presumes a deeper conspiracy.
Directed by Errol MorrisWidely acknowledged for his ingenious filmmaking, Errol Morris uses his unique style to inform this complex tale. Implementing a combination of remarkable re-enactments, archival video footages, and a range of interviews, including extreme sessions with Olson's son Eric, Morris presents a riveting examination that challenges the main explanation of Frank Olson's death.
Extensive InvestigationThe series combines aspects of a historical examination and a psychological study. Over the six-hour runtime, Morris provides a detailed account of Eric's steadfast pursuit of truth over the decades. This includes his quest to reveal his father's involvement in U.S. biological warfare programs throughout the Korean War-era, his relationship with CIA, and the puzzling scenarios of his death.
Outstanding Cast and Artistic ExecutionPeter Sarsgaard shines in the lead function, delivering a gripping performance as Frank Olson. The supporting cast includes Tim Blake Nelson, Jimmi Simpson, Bob Balaban, Molly Parker, and Christian Camargo as characters from Olson's life. Morris skillfully uses a mix of interviews, re-enactments, and archival footages to mesmerize the audience, maintaining a trial-like intensity throughout.
Concluding Thoughts"Wormwood" stands out for its interrogation of power structures, shedding a grim light on the dark aspects of governance and secrecy. As an examination of past wrongs and the effect they have upon the present, the series lives up to its title, 'Wormwood,' a Biblical symbol of bitter fact. More than a cold case, this series checks out the mental world of doubt and the unrelenting pursuit of fact, making it a fascinating experience.
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