Overview: The Pentagon Papers is a historical television film about Daniel Ellsberg and the events leading up to the publication of the Pentagon Papers in 1971. The movie documents Ellsberg's life starting with his work for RAND Corporation and ending with the day on which the judge declared his espionage trial a mistrial. It was directed by Rod Holcomb and executive produced by Joshua D. Maurer and stars James Spader as Ellsberg. The cast also includes Alan Arkin and Paul Giamatti.