The Corporation

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Starring: Jane Akre
Rated: Unrated
Type: DVD
Directed By: Jennifer Abbott
Studio: Zeitgeist Films
Release Date: 2005-04-05
Running Time: 145 minutes
Number of Items: 2
This charts the spectacular rise of the corporation as a dramatic pervasive presence in our everyday lives. Features illuminating interviews with noam chomsky michael moore historian howard zinn .. As well as corporate honchos whistleblowers & big business spies. Studio: Zeitgeist Films Release Date: 04/05/2005 Run time: 145 minutes Rating: Nr

Poorly constructed anti-business diatribe
This film claims to be a documentary about the corporation and corporations' impact. There's a lot that one can say about the corporation, both good and bad. The filmmakers largely squander the chance, instead embarking on a shrill anti-business rant. It's not even well done - most of the criticisms are poorly justified, and they often have to resort to emotional imagery to overcome a lack of substance.

For example, they point out that the 14th Amendment (guaranteeing equal protection under the law) was passed to protect freed slaves. Corporations then used lawsuits citing the amendment to protect themselves. Did that hurt freed slaves somehow? The film doesn't even try to discuss that, but shows several provocative images of African-Americans to try to imply a linkage.

As I said, the movie is anti-business, not just anti-corporation. The film does explain briefly the legal basis of corporations and how it differs from other company forms (such as a partnership). But then the film largely turns to emotional condemnations of businesses and business practices in general.

There's a discussion of "externalities," where costs get shifted onto other people. An example is businesses using roads built by others. This is neither new nor unique to corporations - thousands of years back ago in the Roman Empire, craftsmen and traders were using government-built roads. Nor do the filmmakers explain why it's bad, instead just leaving the impression that businesses are taking advantage of everyone else.

Similarly, the film criticizes corporations for running "sweatshops" with low pay and poor working conditions. Again, that's nothing new to corporations: many farms and garment-makers have done the same for centuries, without the benefit of a corporate structure. There's nothing in the film to demonstrate that corporations have made the situation worse than other types of business.

In short, don't expect a documentary on the order of "Who Killed the Electric Car?" that gives a lot of information. This is really a movie for people who are simply mad at American business and want to spend a couple of hours reinforcing their anger.

yes, definitely highly recommend
I've watched this documentary at least 5 times now and always try to invite as many friends to watch. There is hope when we are armed with information. I hope that more people will take the time to view and invite others to view with them.

Should be required viewing for Americans
This movie was packed with so much research and information, and it went by so quickly, I had to buy this DVD for repeated viewing. It's a few years old now, but the information is still as relevant today as it was then. The American political system created the corporation, and is now basically run by them. This movie is an eye opener for every American, and should be required viewing for everyone at some point of their education. One of the best documentaries I have seen in years

A must see/read. A very well researched and rather frightening eye opening doc and book.
Both book and documentary are a must see for anyone who feels democracy, freedom and a healthy environment are important. It's not a Michael More style approach but a thorough study by a decent lawyer
who objectively draws some very, very frightening conclusions about the power of corporations. Also contains interviews with (ex) CEO's of global corporations - who to a big extent agree. Buy the 2 cd version with the full interviews with all several experts and CEO's, a very nice extra. The book is also a classic, one of the best and most revealing nonfiction books I read the past 2 decades. I bought some copies to give it to two "big international company executive" friends, who were equally impressed...

Highly recommended!
I've truly enjoyed watching The Corporation and have now viewed it 3 times, and over the past 2 days have also watched the extended interviews on the second disc. I particularly appreciated the views from Ray Anderson, Dr. Vandana Shiva and Ira Jackson. It was also interesting learning the views and perspectives of Marc Barry, Carlton Brown and others, despite their honesty leaving me disturbed. This important documentary couldn't have come a moment too soon. Very thought-provoking.