The Trap: What Happened to Our Dream of Freedom

The Trap: What Happened to Our Dream of Freedom

Limited Series 2007 · 3 eps · ★ 8.0 · Documentary

Ended

Individual freedom is the dream of our age. It's what our leaders promise to give us, it defines how we think of ourselves and, repeatedly, we have gone to war to impose freedom around the world. But if you step back and look at what freedom actually means for us today, it's a strange and limited kind of freedom.

Directed by Adam Curtis · Written by Adam Curtis

Network: BBC Two

Your Rating

Cast

More from Adam CurtisSee all →

MK UltraMK Ultra · 2020
MK Ultra
10.02020
MovieMusicDocumentary
The Rosie Kay Dance Company present a piece about the strange history and pop-cultural aftermath of CIA mind control experiments during the Cold War, with documentary segments by Adam Curtis.
Modern TimesModern Times · 1995
Modern Times
9.01995
SeriesDocumentary
Documentaries showing faces and places that make up the way we live today.
Russia 1985-1999: TraumaZoneRussia 1985-1999: TraumaZone · 2022
Russia 1985-1999: TraumaZone
8.62022
SeriesDocumentaryWar & Politics
What it felt like to live through the collapse of communism and democracy. A series of films by Adam Curtis.
The Century of the SelfThe Century of the Self · 2002
The Century of the Self
8.42002
SeriesDocumentaryWar & Politics
The legacy of famed psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud informs the lives of people throughout the world even to this day, though it's a phenomenon to which most are unaware. The film is an exhaustive examination of his theories on human desire, and how they're applied to platforms such as advertising, consumerism and politics.
All Watched Over by Machines of Loving GraceAll Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace · 2011
All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace
8.32011
SeriesDocumentaryWar & Politics
We have been colonised by the machines we have built. Although we don't realise it, the way we see everything in the world today is through the eyes of the computers.
The Power of NightmaresThe Power of Nightmares · 2004
The Power of Nightmares
8.12004
SeriesDocumentary
Examines how politicians have used our fears to increase their power and control over society.
Living in an Unreal WorldLiving in an Unreal World · 2016
Living in an Unreal World
8.02016
MovieDocumentary
Short film for Vice Media about the illusion of stability, freedom, and prosperity in the West, comparing it to life in the Soviet Union during the 1970s. Ends with a trailer for HyperNormalisation.
The Rise of “Oh Dear”-ismThe Rise of “Oh Dear”-ism · 2009
The Rise of “Oh Dear”-ism
8.02009
MovieDocumentary
Short film about how mainstream media simplify complex events and present them as "scattered terrible things happening everywhere, Oh Dear", leaving the public feeling powerless to do anything about them. Screened in the third episode of the first series of Charlie Brooker's Newswipe.
Can't Get You Out of My HeadCan't Get You Out of My Head · 2021
Can't Get You Out of My Head
7.82021
SeriesDocumentaryWar & Politics
In six films, Adam Curtis traces the different forces across the world that have led to now. It covers a wide range—including the strange roots of modern conspiracy theories, the history of China, opium and opioids, the history of Artificial Intelligence, melancholy over the loss of empire and, love and power. And explores whether modern culture, despite its radicalism, is really just part of the new system of power.
£830,000,000 - Nick Leeson and the Fall of the House of Barings£830,000,000 - Nick Leeson and the Fall of the House of Barings · 1996
£830,000,000 - Nick Leeson and the Fall of the House of Barings
7.71996
MovieDocumentary
25 Million Pounds details the collapse of Barings Bank in the mid 1990s primarily by a broker called Nick Leeson, who lost £827 million ($1.3 billion) by speculating on futures contracts. The film contextualises the downfall as the history of Barings Bank was one of the oldest and most prestigious merchant banks in Britain, run by the same family for decades with extensive ties to Britain's elites. But in the late 19th century Barings almost went bankrupt after investing heavily in South American bonds, including backing the construction of a sewer system in Buenos Aires. The bank was saved by The Bank of England, but Edward Baring, the head of the bank, was financially ruined and never recovered.
Newswipe with Charlie BrookerNewswipe with Charlie Brooker · 2009
Newswipe with Charlie Brooker
7.72009
SeriesNewsDocumentary
Newswipe with Charlie Brooker was a British news review programme broadcast on BBC Four written and presented by Charlie Brooker. It is similar to Brooker's Screenwipe series which is also shown on BBC Four. A first series of six episodes ran between 25 March 2009 and 29 April 2009. A second series began on 19 January 2010 and concluded on 23 February 2010.
Bitter LakeBitter Lake · 2015
Bitter Lake
7.62015
MovieDocumentary
An experimental documentary that explores Saudi Arabia's relationship with the U.S. and the role this has played in the war in Afghanistan.
HyperNormalisationHyperNormalisation · 2016
HyperNormalisation
7.42016
MovieDocumentary
We live in a world where the powerful deceive us. We know they lie. They know we know they lie. They do not care. We say we care, but we do nothing, and nothing ever changes. It is normal. Welcome to the post-truth world. How we got to where we are now…
Pandora's BoxPandora's Box · 1992
Pandora's Box
7.41992
SeriesDocumentary
Pandora's Box is a six-part 1992 BBC documentary television series which examines the consequences of political and technocratic rationalism. The episodes deal, in order, with communism in The Soviet Union, systems analysis and game theory during the Cold War, economy in the United Kingdom during the 1970s, the insecticide DDT, Kwame Nkrumah's leadership in Ghana during the 1950s and 1960s and the history of nuclear power.
ShiftyShifty · 2025
Shifty
7.32025
SeriesDocumentary
When power begins to shift in society, everything becomes unstable, exciting and frightening. Living in Britain at the end of the 20th century.
"Oh Dear"-ism II & Non-Linear War"Oh Dear"-ism II & Non-Linear War · 2014
"Oh Dear"-ism II & Non-Linear War
7.22014
MovieDocumentary
Short film examining the global events of 2014 to reveal a chaotic morass, the reporting of which is increasingly difficult to comprehend in the context of the 24-hour news cycle and the internet. Screened during Charlie Brooker's 2014 Wipe special.

More Like This

How to Become a Mob BossHow to Become a Mob Boss · 2023
How to Become a Mob Boss
7.52023
SeriesDocumentary
This darkly satirical how-to guide explores the rise and fall of history's most notorious mob bosses and their tactics for success.
Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a LegendMessi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend · 2024
Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend
7.52024
SeriesDocumentary
Follow the legend's epic journey through five World Cups, culminating in 2022's triumph. As the championship run unfolds, Messi shares some of his most personal reflections—on his national team career and the challenges he's faced.
Till Murder Do Us Part: Soering vs. HaysomTill Murder Do Us Part: Soering vs. Haysom · 2023
Till Murder Do Us Part: Soering vs. Haysom
6.92023
SeriesDocumentary
Did Jens Soering murder his girlfriend's parents in 1985 — or was she the killer? This docuseries digs into questions that still swirl around the case.
The FamilyThe Family · 2019
The Family
6.72019
SeriesDocumentary
An enigmatic conservative Christian group known as the Family wields enormous influence in Washington, D.C., in pursuit of its global ambitions.
Money, ExplainedMoney, Explained · 2021
Money, Explained
7.22021
SeriesDocumentary
We spend it, we borrow it, and save it. Now let's talk about money and its many minefields, from credit cards to casino, scammers to student loans.
900 Days Without Anabel900 Days Without Anabel · 2024
900 Days Without Anabel
7.62024
SeriesDocumentary
Anabel Segura's abduction held Spain in suspense for 900 days. This docuseries explores the case through never-before-heard recordings of the kidnappers.
Space RaceSpace Race · 2005
Space Race
7.52005
SeriesDocumentaryDrama
The untold true story behind the Cold War race to put man into space.
Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 DaysMichael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days · 1989
Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days
7.51989
SeriesDocumentary
Michael Palin attempts to copy the exploits of fictional character Phileas Fogg, by trying to travel around the world (without flying) in 80 days.
Pole to PolePole to Pole · 1992
Pole to Pole
7.91992
SeriesDocumentary
Michael Palin undertakes an epic journey of 23,000 miles, traveling from the North to the South Pole across 17 countries with a minimum of air travel, all on a tight deadline.
Planet EarthPlanet Earth · 2006
Planet Earth
8.62006
SeriesDocumentary
David Attenborough celebrates the amazing variety of the natural world in this epic documentary series, filmed over four years across 64 different countries.

How is it so far?

Your ratings make Midnight smarter