Bradley Manning Had Secrets

Bradley Manning Had Secrets is a penetrating documentary movie that was released in 2012, directed by Adam Butcher and starring Angus Dunican, Danny Mahoney. The film rigorously shines light on one of the most controversial figures in recent American history - Bradley Manning, an intelligence analyst in the US Army, who was later known as Chelsea Manning after gender transition.

The film’s narration is done primarily by Angus Dunican, who brings a deep and resonating voice that only adds to the provocative aura of the film. Danny Mahoney's role, on the other hand, involves portraying some of the key individuals who are directly or indirectly intertwined with Manning’s world.

Bradley Manning Had Secrets begins by establishing the groundwork of Manning’s early life, zooming in on her tumultuous childhood, the struggles with sexuality, gender dysphoria, and her eventual enlistment to the US Army. It establishes a deep sense of empathy and understanding for Manning, highlighting the complexity of her character and the battles she struggled with internally that greatly influenced her consequential decisions.

As the movie progresses, it dives into the primary driving source of the film - Manning's relationship with WikiLeaks. Manning's involvement led to the largest security breach in U.S military history, which included the leaking of Afghan War logs, Iraq War logs, and many diplomatic cables. All of these files presented a stark and unfiltered image of the U.S military’s activities overseas.

The film uses an engaging narrative and visually striking animation to present the high-stakes world of cyber intelligence and the dark underbelly of government secrecy. Importantly, it does not shy away from exploring the ethically complex dimensions of Manning’s actions, raising questions around the lines of treason and heroism.

In Bradley Manning Had Secrets, Manning's motivations are dissected – asking whether it was the deep-seated conviction and belief in transparency and accountability, or was there an aspect of personal turmoil that fuelled these actions? Throughout the movie, there is a constant exploration of Manning’s state of mind and her emotional conditions throughout these events, which offers an essential human element to the narrative.

The film maintains a careful balance in its tone, managing not to advocate for a certain point of view, but rather, letting the astonishing fact-based narrative speak for itself. With this largely neutral stand, it does a commendable job of presenting different perspectives on this controversial subject, thereby encouraging viewers to form their own opinions.

Complementing the powerful narrative, the cinematography is both innovative and symbolic, utilizing graphics, animations, and recreated scenes. It is a visual narrative that complements the highly charged storyline. The usage of animation throughout the film gives an almost surreal take on what otherwise might be an overwhelming flurry of facts and figures.

The performances by both Dunican and Mahoney significantly contribute to the overall engagement of the movie. Their dedicated portrayals amplify the emotional gravitas of the film and add depth to the portrayal of the characters involved in this intricate global event.

In essence, Bradley Manning Had Secrets is not merely a retelling of a globally influential military leak. It is a cinematic exploration into the private and public life of a conflicted individual positioned within a clandestine world. It humanizes Manning, revealing the person behind the headlines, the secrets, and the controversies.

By dwelling on the past, the film concurrently reflects on the present and future. It successfully provokes thoughts about global power structures, individual morality, the definitions of treason and public interest. It makes a compelling watch for those interested in getting a more nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between personal dilemmas, cyber-security issues, and geopolitical conflict.