The film is entertaining; there are many small moments of humor to be found in the tense situations, and audiences are satisfied to see the FBI's activities exposed for what they were.

| Jul 27, 2018

Well-told and engaging, 1971 effectively build a portrait of the times and what follows without leaning too heavily on the recreations.

| Original Score: B+ | Jun 6, 2016

Grips like a thriller but it also amuses ...

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 4, 2015

In her recounting, a strange and lively atmosphere of outrage, enthusiasm and paranoia, Hamilton has made of her tale a kind of real-life, old-fashioned analog caper film.

| Jun 4, 2015

Even if you have an allergic reaction to dramatic re-enactments in documentary films -- and I confess I get itchy during them -- 1971 provides an exciting, non-hokey account of a remarkable true story.

| Jun 4, 2015

This is fun, but the movie is perhaps most interesting for the way it examines the group's collective on-the-lam cool.

Full Review | Jun 4, 2015

1971 is a fascinating documentary that unearths the human story behind a burglary of the FBI offices in Media, Pennsylvania, when every secret file was stolen.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 4, 2015

Well worth seeking out, especially for anyone with an interest in activism and counterculture history.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 4, 2015

"1971" is an appropriately matter-of-fact title for a decidedly low-key documentary. But don't mistake a lack of flash for an absence of substance.

| Mar 12, 2015

Hamilton nevertheless skilfully evokes the era's turbulent political and social climate, with genuine suspense generated during the heist matched by unexpected humour.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 11, 2015

Minor quibbles aside, it's an important documentary.

| Original Score: B+ | Mar 5, 2015

[A] riveting, revelatory documentary.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Mar 5, 2015

Johanna Hamilton's 1971 may not be as dynamic or immediate a documentary as executive producer Laura Poitras's Citizenfour, but as a look at the earliest iteration of America as a security state, it's essential.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 5, 2015

For those who care about personal freedoms, this well-crafted and illuminating film is required viewing.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Mar 5, 2015

A belated tribute to some fearless patriots with the gumption to expose the FBI's lawless ways and the wherewithal to evade apprehension by the Bureau to boot!

| Original Score: 4/4 | Feb 8, 2015

It might seem like a history lesson, but this compelling documentary has plenty of contemporary relevance.

| Feb 6, 2015

Johanna Hamilton's 1971 represents a mind-blowing scoop disguised as a fairly garden-variety issue doc.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Feb 6, 2015

[1971] benefits mightily from superb re-enactments, the palpable integrity of its activist band of break-in artists, and some Rififi-like suspenseful moments.

Full Review | Feb 6, 2015

Ms. Hamilton's straightforward documentary skillfully interweaves reminiscences by members of the group with re-enactments of the burglary.

| Feb 6, 2015

Their message-namely, Who will watch the watchmen?-remains as important today as it was 44 years ago.

| Original Score: B | Feb 5, 2015