Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)

Last updated:
January 20, 2026

Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11 is one of the most controversial and influential political documentaries ever made. Released in 2004, during the height of the Iraq War and the U.S. presidential election season, the film openly challenges the Bush administration, American media, and U.S. foreign policy after the September 11 attacks.

Unlike traditional documentaries, this film blends investigative journalism, satire, emotional storytelling, and aggressive political commentary. It does not aim to remain neutral. Instead, it makes its position very clear—and that is exactly why it left such a lasting impact.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Opening: A Stolen Election?

The film begins by questioning the legitimacy of the 2000 U.S. presidential election. Michael Moore revisits the disputed Florida vote recount, highlighting irregularities, rejected ballots, and the Supreme Court decision that ultimately declared George W. Bush president.

This opening establishes one of the film’s core ideas: that American democracy can be manipulated at the highest levels of power.

Introducing George W. Bush

Moore portrays Bush as an inexperienced leader who struggled with public speaking, decision-making, and global politics. Archival footage shows moments of confusion, awkward press appearances, and satirical montages meant to contrast Bush’s image with the seriousness of his role.

This section sets the tone for the film’s critical and ironic approach.

September 11, 2001

The film then shifts dramatically in tone.

Instead of showing the actual footage of the attacks, Moore presents a black screen accompanied only by audio recordings—air traffic controllers, emergency calls, and witnesses reacting in real time. This choice forces the audience to imagine the horror rather than consume it visually.

One of the film’s most famous moments follows: President Bush sitting in a classroom in Florida, continuing to read to children for several minutes after being informed of the attacks. Moore presents this moment as symbolic of confusion, paralysis, and leadership failure.

The Bush–Saudi Connection

A major portion of the documentary investigates the financial and political ties between the Bush family and Saudi elites, including relatives of Osama bin Laden.

The film explores:

Business relationships between American oil companies and Saudi investors
The evacuation of Saudi nationals from the U.S. shortly after 9/11
The lack of serious investigation into Saudi involvement

Moore suggests that these relationships influenced U.S. foreign policy and national security decisions.

Media Fear and Public Manipulation

Moore criticizes American news media for promoting fear through constant terror alerts, sensational headlines, and unchallenged government narratives.

He argues that fear became a political weapon, keeping the public anxious and supportive of military action without demanding evidence.

The Road to War in Iraq

The documentary strongly challenges the justification for the Iraq War, especially claims about:

Weapons of mass destruction
Links between Saddam Hussein and Al-Qaeda

Moore demonstrates how these claims were repeatedly presented without proof, while dissenting voices were marginalized or ignored.

This section emphasizes how public support for war was manufactured through repetition rather than verified facts.

Human Cost of the War

The film then shifts from politics to people.

Moore interviews:

Soldiers sent to Iraq with inadequate equipment
Families who lost sons and daughters
Civilians affected by bombing campaigns

One of the most emotional segments follows a mother whose son was killed in Iraq. Her grief, anger, and sense of betrayal become the emotional center of the film.

This section makes the argument that war decisions are made by leaders who will never personally pay the price.

Recruitment and the Poor

Another disturbing theme is military recruitment targeting low-income communities. Moore shows recruiters approaching young people in disadvantaged neighborhoods, presenting military service as the only path to education or financial stability.

The implication is clear: the poor fight the wars, while the powerful profit from them.

Movie Ending

Michael Moore closes the film by emphasizing that the Iraq War continues, soldiers are still dying, and political accountability remains absent. He revisits grieving families, unfinished funerals, and ongoing deployments, reminding the audience that there is no cinematic closure in real war.

The final message centers on a quote from George Orwell:
“A people that elect corrupt politicians are not victims… but accomplices.”

Rather than offering hope or solutions, the film ends by placing responsibility back onto the public. The war is not portrayed as a mistake of the past, but as an ongoing consequence of political apathy, misinformation, and fear.

The audience is left with discomfort rather than relief—and that is entirely intentional.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No. Fahrenheit 9/11 does not include any post-credits or mid-credits scenes. The film ends definitively with its closing message and final footage.

Type of Movie

Fahrenheit 9/11 is a political documentary that combines investigative journalism, social criticism, satire, and personal commentary. It functions both as a film and as a political argument.

Cast

As a documentary, the film features real individuals rather than traditional actors:

Michael Moore – Narrator and filmmaker
George W. Bush – Archival footage
Donald Rumsfeld – U.S. Secretary of Defense
Condoleezza Rice – National Security Advisor
Members of Congress
U.S. soldiers and military families
Iraqi civilians

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Jeff Gibbs, a frequent collaborator of Michael Moore. The music is used sparingly, often allowing silence or natural audio to heighten emotional impact rather than dramatize scenes excessively.

Filming Locations

The film was shot across multiple real-world locations, including:

Washington D.C., USA – Government buildings and protests
Florida, USA – 2000 election footage
Michigan, USA – Moore’s hometown and working-class communities
Iraq – Archival and news footage
New York City – Post-9/11 environment

These real locations reinforce the documentary’s authenticity and political urgency.

Awards and Nominations

Palme d’Or Winner – Cannes Film Festival (2004)
Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature
César Award nomination for Best Foreign Film
Numerous critics’ awards worldwide

It remains the highest-grossing documentary of all time.

Behind the Scenes Insights

The film faced legal challenges and political pressure before release.
Disney declined to distribute it due to its political content.
Harvey Weinstein’s Miramax eventually released it independently.
Moore edited much of the film while the Iraq War was still ongoing.
Some scenes were updated only weeks before theatrical release.

Inspirations and References

George Orwell’s 1984 and Animal Farm
Moore’s earlier book Stupid White Men
Investigative journalism from independent media outlets
Real congressional records and public speeches

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no known alternate endings. However, several interviews and political segments were removed to keep the runtime manageable. Moore has stated that enough unused material existed for an entirely separate documentary.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The film is not a direct adaptation, but it strongly parallels Moore’s book Dude, Where’s My Country? The book contains more detailed political analysis, while the film emphasizes emotional storytelling and visual impact.