Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry (2004)
81%RT Audience Score: 69%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry is a captivating and well-researched documentary that sheds light on the Vietnam War and the Veterans Against the War movement. Butler’s film is not just a defense of Kerry’s character, but a tribute to the bravery and resilience of those who fought for their beliefs. The film features powerful footage of Kerry’s testimony before Congress and interviews with fellow veterans, politicians, and activists. While some may dismiss it as a political ad, Going Upriver is a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of speaking truth to power. It’s a must-see for anyone interested in history, politics, or the human spirit.
Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry is a documentary that tells the story of Kerry’s war-time experience and the Veterans Against the War movement. Critics have praised the film for its compelling storytelling and richly documented history. Some have even called it a fantastic political ad. As a non-critic, I can say that this film is a must-watch for anyone interested in American history and politics. Plus, it’s a great way to see a young John Kerry and wonder, “Whatever happened to him?
Production Company(ies)
Agi Orsi Productions, Forever Films, Quicksilver Entertainment,
Distributor
ThinkFilm
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for disturbing images of war and some dialogue
Year of Release
2004
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:1h 29m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Sep 18, 2004 Original
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
documentary, John Kerry, Vietnam War, peace movement, soldiers, leadership, interviews, George Butler, Joseph Dorman, Douglas Brinkley, PG-13, box office, budget, reviewed by David Ansen, Marjorie Baumgarten, Andrew Sarris, Richard Roeper, Scott Von Doviak, Eleanor Ringel Cater, John A Nesbit, Mark Halverson, Jason Gorber, Philip Martin, produced by George Butler, directed by George Butler, written by Joseph Dorman, Douglas Brinkley, genre: documentary, MPAA rating: PG-13, ThinkFilm, English, Marc Abrams, Marc Klein, runtime: 1h 29m, distributor: ThinkFilm, starring John Kerry
Worldwide gross: $614,138
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $968,794
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,605
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 105,648
US/Canada gross: $614,138
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $968,794
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,196
US/Canada opening weekend: $279,219
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $440,464
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,435
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
George Butler – Producer
Marc Abrams – Executive Producer
Marc Klein – Executive Producer
Joseph Dorman – Writer
Douglas Brinkley – Writer
Director(s)
George Butler
Writer(s)
Joseph Dorman, Douglas Brinkley
Producer(s)
George Butler
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (84) | Top Critics (36) | Fresh (75) | Rotten (9)
Butler’s stirring film wasn’t made to refute its slanders, though it does. It’s a richly documented history of Kerry’s war- time experience and of the Veterans Against the War movement.
March 13, 2018
David Ansen
Newsweek
TOP CRITIC
October 19, 2004 | Rating: 3.5/5
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
This should be revelatory to most people — but most people will probably never see Mr. Butler’s film, and certainly none of those who consider George W. Bush as next to God.
October 14, 2004
Andrew Sarris
Observer
TOP CRITIC
One of the most moving things for me was seeing that some of the high-ranking politicians really did recognize that, hey, we need to meet with these young men and hear what they have to say and that footage is amazing stuff.
October 11, 2004
Richard Roeper
Ebert & Roeper
TOP CRITIC
Brinkley has done his homework, and the evidence is on the screen.
October 8, 2004
Scott Von Doviak
Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com
TOP CRITIC
Butler is on record as a close friend of Kerry’s, but he’s also a well-respected documentarian, who introduced Arnold Schwarzenegger to America in Pumping Iron and chronicled the heroism of Ernest Shackleton in The Endurance.
October 7, 2004 | Rating: B
Eleanor Ringel Cater
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
TOP CRITIC
compelling story without fancy gimmicks and trickery
August 5, 2012 | Rating: B
John A. Nesbit
Old School Reviews
August 7, 2008 | Rating: 4/5
Mark Halverson
Sacramento News & Review
It’s too bad that Kerry’s likely to lose the upcoming election, because this type of hagiography would be far better in the unlikely event that Mr. “Wartime” President is going to be defeated.
June 21, 2007 | Rating: C-
Jason Gorber
Film Scouts
…even Kerry fans might be made wistful… Where has that young man gone? Whatever happened to him?
January 27, 2005 | Rating: B
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Going Upriver is lucky enough to have at its disposal a genuinely charismatic figure whose sense of his own citizenship is rigorous, questioning, and articulate.
November 2, 2004 | Rating: B-
Nick Davis
Nick’s Flick Picks
It’s only OK as a movie, but it’s a fantastic political ad.
October 31, 2004 | Rating: B-
Eric D. Snider
EricDSnider.com…
Plot
A documentary on Senator John Kerry’s Navy tour of duty in Vietnam, his contributions to the peace movement that followed, and the ultimate shape of his future political career.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
There is no goofy or funny or odd comment about the film in the Fresh Kernels database.
George-Butler.jpg
