The Fifth Estate
Director: Bill Condon
Actors: Benedict Cumberbatch, Daniel Brühl, Carice van Houten
PlotThe film follows the inception of a groundbreaking whistleblowing website, spearheaded by Julian Assange and his colleague, Daniel Domscheit-Berg. The duo aims to expose government and corporate secrets by providing a secure platform for whistleblowers. Their partnership begins with enthusiasm and shared ideals, as they achieve early successes by leaking sensitive information that garners international attention. As the site attracts more high-profile leaks, their work starts to make waves globally, raising questions about transparency, privacy, and the boundaries of journalism.
As the volume and sensitivity of information increase, so do the challenges and ethical dilemmas. Tensions rise between Assange and Domscheit-Berg as they struggle with differing visions for the future of the project. The narrative delves into the conflicts, both personal and ideological, that threaten to unravel their initial collaboration. Their relationship becomes increasingly strained as they face mounting pressures from governments, the media, and internal disagreements. This rift brings the entire mission to a critical juncture, setting the stage for a consequential turning point.
Writers: Daniel Domscheit-Berg, David Leigh, Luke Harding
Release Date: 18 Oct 2013
Runtime: 128 min
Rating: R
Country: United States, India, Belgium
Language: English, Icelandic, Swahili, Arabic
Home Video Reviews
"The Fifth Estate" offers a mediocre screenplay and direction despite promising material, but the Blu-ray shines with excellent video, strong DTS-HD audio, and decent extras.
Read our review of The Fifth Estate Blu-ray to find out more