An Unreasonable Man

An Unreasonable Man
Promotional movie poster for the film
Directed byHenriette Mantel
Steve Skrovan
Produced byKevin O'Donnell
StarringRalph Nader
Pat Buchanan
Phil Donahue
William Greider
Eric Alterman
James Ridgeway
CinematographyMark Raker
Edited byBeth Gallagher
Alexis Provost
Distributed byIFC Films
Release dates
  • January 24, 2006 (2006-01-24) (Sundance)
  • January 31, 2007 (2007-01-31)
Running time
122 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

An Unreasonable Man is a 2006 documentary film that traces the life and career of political activist Ralph Nader, the founder of modern consumer protection in America and perennial presidential candidate. Contrary to the title's apparent message, the film was actually created to defend and support Nader, and to restore his reputation after his controversial role in the 2000 U.S. presidential election.

Besides featuring Mr. Nader himself, the film presents interviews with current and former members of Nader's Raiders, including Joan Claybrook and Robert Fellmeth, as well as political commentators such as Phil Donahue, Pat Buchanan, and Eric Alterman. The film takes its name from the George Bernard Shaw quotation, "The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man."