MK Ultra (2022) - full transcript

Did you ever consider

what would've happened if
any of these substances

were given to say,
unwitting people?

Oh, I don't remember

having considered
that specifically, I.

What if you, I trust perhaps

you've thought about it.

Well, I haven't
worried about it.

I, your question again,

what would I have
thought had I known that?

Any of
these substances would be.



Would've been given to?

Unwitting persons.

You mean a hostile agent
of another government?

- No, I mean, test.
- I mean, that'srobably what I had in mind.

I mean testing it out

on an American citizen.

I.

I guess I must seem very,
very cold-blooded about this,

but I don't recall
ever having been

very much preoccupied
with that issue.

But many drugs
were tested in this way.

A decision was made at the
highest levels of the CIA

to do testing on
unwitting Americans.

As one CIA document says,



"Such testing would be
operationally realistic."

A former CIA official who worked
on these programs describes

for the first time how
the decision was made.

He did not wish to be
filmed or recorded.

Thus, his remarks are
read by someone else.

I think every
last one of us felt sorry

to attempt this kind of thing.

We knew we were crossing a line.

Every decent kid knows
he shouldn't steal,

but he does it sometimes.

We knew damn well we
didn't want anyone else

to know what we were doing.

Come to bed.

I'll be in soon.

They're gonna approve
the funding. Come.

This study aims to provide

a chemical enhancement
of such memories

as to allow the subject

to replay the
role-defining moments

and physicians such as myself,

a path towards
reconstruction of the events

with a variable outcome.

Given the current
success rates that we're seeing

with the
electroconvulsive therapy,

what would be the
reasoning at this time

that the board would consider
diverting precious funds

to explore a path, which
in my professional opinion,

is already working?

We're treating
trauma, using trauma.

I'm painting a picture here.

Like I said, Dr. Strauss here

is looking for taxpayer funding

to test psychedelic
drugs on patients

to alter people's minds.

Motion for funding is denied.

Dr. Strauss, thank
you for your time.

They were looking for
fundamental information

on compounds that were,

that would be capable
of causing changes

in behavior, changes
in mental attitude.

The decision was made

to do testing on
unwitting victims.

It was decided they should
be on the fringes of society

because they were
most vulnerable.

It was the
borderline underworld,

prostitutes, drug addicts,
and other small-timers

that would be powerless to seek

any kind of revenge in
case they found out.

We're out of time.

We had the board denying

Ford's funding today.

It's time to recruit him.

About that subject that escaped,

make sure Townsend gets him
before anybody sees him.

I don't wanna have
to call Langley.

Don't, no reason to worry 'em.

You'll hear from me.

Uh, sorry to keep you.

Right, Brian.

How is he?

Nurse, would you and Brian
excuse us for a moment?

- Of course, doctor.
- Thank you.

Come on, Brian, let's
get you to your room.

Kevin, it's Kevin, right, and?

- Margaret.
- And Margaret,

Kevin and Margaret,
um, like I said,

Brian is a very strong young man

and disabilities
won't change that.

Is he still a pig butcher?

It's a simple question, doctor.

He killed eight of my cattle.

Now you fix him or you
keep him, ain't that right?

All right.

This is Dr. Miller's contact.

He's highly regarded.

Like I say,

a strong young man
there in Brian,

all he needs is
patience and care.

As far as your refund,

feel free to take that
up with the state.

Nurse, could you show the
Mercers out, thank you.

Sure, doctor.

Get in the car.

I wasn't asking.

It's gone to shit.

But this shit reminds me
of why we do what we do.

Gives us a reason to
get up in the morning.

Reason to iron your
suit, shine your shoes.

Gives us men meaning.

You understand that,
don't you, Ford?

You're a Kraut, Strauss?

Strauss is a Kraut name, right?

No.

Ah, that's too bad.

'Cause then you'd understand.

Understand what?

Understand that if
we turn our eyes away

for even a moment, one moment,

filth will overcome us.

What does any of this
have to do with me?

Because I'm gonna fund
your research, Dr. Ford.

Why would the Bureau of
Narcotics fund research

into psychological psychedelia?

Because I'm a company man first.

What company?

The potential that you have

to accomplish here is singular.

To push the
boundaries of science,

with the full support
of the government.

And in exchange?

The chance to learn.

With access to your
research, your patients,

maybe even a chance to
help fix the broken, hm?

Ford, look forward to
hearing from you soon.

Understand?

That's good.

In the Guatemalan foothills

there's a mysterious
training depot,

where some of the raiders
may have been based.

The government there
denies that Cubans

are among the soldiers
being instructed,

but observers have
said otherwise.

Professional soldiers
are among the teachers

and once trained, a man
can seriously disappear.

Guatemala has held no briefs
with the Castro regime,

and has aided the rebels.

In Cuba itself, the people
have been exhorted by Castro

to push back the invaders.

And 300,000 militia
men have mobilized.

The invasion was successful
in its early hours

with Castro of course blaming-

Ford?

Sweetheart, I picked up dinner.

Are you in your office?

I brought us supper.

Denies that Cubans

are among the soldiers
being instructed,

but observers have
said otherwise.

What can I do?

I told you, nothing.

Come.

Hey.

Hey.

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.

It's not you, okay?

It's not you.
- Then what is it?

I don't, I don't know.

Is it, is it us?

No, no, it's not us.

Then is it me?
Because I can't-

No, of course,
of course not, no.

Something happened today.

What?

After they passed,
I got an offer.

By who?

It's federal.

Federal, why I thought
that's what you always wanted.

Yeah, but this is different,

they want control, access.

I can't figure
out what to make of 'em.

Who?

I don't know.

Come on, wake up.

There you go.

There you go.

Thank you.

Won't you get in, get
in, watch your head.

There you go.

Nurse Irwin?

Nurse Irwin.

Nurse?

Nurse, what are you?

What in the hell do
you think you're doing?

The patient is
prepped for the leukotomy.

Thank you, nurse.

Un-prep him, you're not
lobotomizing my fucking patient.

Mr. Mercer is no longer
your patient, Dr. Strauss.

Step aside.

The hell I will.

You gotta be
careful, Dr. Strauss.

- It's me.
- Yes, okay, I'll do it,

but I need a favor, right now.

Will you fucking
get that, please?

It's for you.

For fuck sake.

Um, I have to be
work at some point,

so how long you?

What's this?

Hello, Dr.
Strauss, I'm Agent Dwyer.

I'm a colleague
of Agent Morgan's.

And I'm here to ask you a
few questions this morning.

All right, what is this place?

All right, I'm gonna
need you to relax.

Take a few deep breaths.

It's a little hard
with the hood, and-

Breathe.

Huh, are you ready to begin?

Yes.

State your full name.

You just said it a moment ago.

Don't make him repeat himself.

Again, state your full name.

Ford Joseph Strauss.

- State of birth.
- Pennsylvania.

Answer each of the
following questions

with only a yes or a no.

Are you connected to
or pledge allegiance

to the beliefs of
the communist party

or organizations within
the communist party?

No.

Are you a member or have ties

to extremist groups
or organizations

with desire to
overthrow or challenge

the sovereignty of the
United States government?

No.

Do you have any
debt or financial obligations?

No.

Do you use drugs or alcohol?

Socially, but
only really only on-

Yes or no?

Yes.

Both?

Yes.

Do you consider yourself
reliable and trustworthy?

I do, yes.

I have one more question.

Do you trust Agent Morgan?

- What?
- I said,

do you trust Agent
Galvin Morgan?

That's a joke.

You're good to go, doc.

Ah, pleasure meeting you.

Yeah, you as well.

All right, open
up your arm there.

Yeah.

Thank
you, Dr. Strauss.

It's your consulting in
confidentiality agreement.

It's just procedural,
we all sign in.

Well, what's it say?

To keep your fucking mouth shut.

Oh, you, you mean my, my work,

it's gonna be my research.

About us, not to talk
about us, ever, that's all.

Go ahead.

That enough to keep you busy?

It's enough to drug
the whole fucking state.

Are, ah, we gonna be okay here?

We got it handled.

Wow.

Millions of dollars

would be spent on LSD research

at universities
throughout the country.

And word would begin
to spread on campus

about this so-called
mind-blowing drug.

And suddenly there was the
counterculture of the '60s.

I give the CIA a total credit

for sponsoring and initiating

the entire
consciousness movement,

counterculture
events of the 1960s.

The CIA funded and
supported and encouraged

hundreds of young psychiatrists

to experiment with this drug.

Who's that?

Research assistant.

Should I introduce myself?

Doesn't talk much.

First patient, Luther Donovan,
diagnosed schizophrenic.

Bring him in.

I am Dr. Strauss.

Tell me about yourself.

Shelly Powers, arsonist.

Show her in.

Shelly, tell me what happened
the night of March 3rd, 1959.

My parents died.

And how did that fire start?

Doctor, patient
nine, Desmond Wallace.

Hello, Mr. Wallace,
I'm Dr. Strauss.

Tell me about your addiction.

I like Wallace and Shelly.

Let's see what the
afternoon brings.

Keep moving.

Who is that?

Laurence Stanley, he was
transferred in this morning.

- Arrest?
- It was non-voluntary.

- Schedule her in.
- Him.

Why were you arrested?

Look at me.

I am.

Then why ask?

It's my job to ask questions.

Doesn't sound
like much of a job.

It can be.

You have a cigarette?

I do.

Well, can I have one?

Don't see why not.

How long do I have to be here?

Until you're healthy.

You think I'm sick?

I don't know, Laurence.

Did I say something wrong?

It's Laura.

Laura, I'm running a drug study.

So you wanna drug me up and?

Help you re-find yourself.

I'm sorry to disappoint doctor,

but this is all you'll find.

Then you'll be released and
at least you'll have some fun.

I'll do it if I
can be transferred

to the ward with
the other girls.

That is not an option.

Nurse, wait outside. Now.

She's right.

But what if I find
you your own room?

And I want my cross and my hair.

Good, look forward to be
working with you, Laura.

Send in the next
patient, please.

I have Mr. Mercer for you.

Good afternoon, Brian.

You ready to try something new?

Gender dysphoria and addiction.

It's a good spectrum.

Could have guessed you
wouldn't say anything.

Goodnight, doc.

Goodnight.

The hallucinogens are drugs

whose primary effects
are on the mind.

So they are frequently
called psychedelic.

They include mescaline
and psilocybin.

The best known is
lysergic acid diethylamide

derived from a fungus
that grows on rye grain.

Pure LSD is very powerful.

One ounce is enough for
300,000 average doses.

Extensive experimentation
has failed to establish

a medical use for LSD,
but study continues,

and the legal supply of
the drug is restricted

for use in these carefully
supervised research settings.

This is where I
have my effect, in the mind.

That seven inches of inner space

between the root of the nose
and the back of the head.

It is, on all accounts,
man's most prized possession.

And in many ways,
his most complicated.

I'm like a depth charge here,

among the brain's
12 billion cells,

but it's one of my
most perplexing secrets

that no one really
knows yet how I work.

Some have suggested that
I affect the mid brain,

the brain's computer,

and prevent it from
regulating signals

from the eyes and the ears
and the other sense organs.

But while there's much
uncertainty about how I work,

there is no uncertainty
about what I can do.

With just a very few micrograms
of me inside the body,

colors, shapes,
smells, textures,

the whole range of
things that can be seen,

heard, smelled,
touched, and tasted

take on incredible distortions

which seem absolutely
and totally real.

With just a few
micrograms of me,

all sorts of hallucinations
are possible.

I couldn't see
anything except colors.

And I thought, "Well, you know,

this is supposed to be
reality," but it wasn't.

It wasn't anything except just
things that weren't objects.

And after a while you
don't know who you are

and you don't know who
the other person is.

It's happening and
it's happening so fast,

and you can't stop it and
you just can't do anything.

You just have to.

The most dangerous act

can look attractive
and easy to accomplish

because I can make
those sparkling lights

look colorful and inviting,

a moving tapestry which
can beckon and lure

a traveler to join them.

Well, that's just a rough idea

of what a few
micrograms of me can do.

About the same amount

that you saw in the
point of a pin, remember.

But in spite of my
overwhelming power,

I have yet to kill
anyone from an overdose.

They don't think I'm
physiologically addicting.

And when I'm
swallowed I disappear,

because they haven't yet
perfected a good field test

to detect me inside the body.

Altogether, I'm one
of the most perplexing

and powerful drugs conceivable.

Day one, initial observation

of patients during
administration

of 400 micrograms of
lysergic acid diethylamide,

without outside interference.

That's a heavy dose.

Might as well jump right in.

- What now?
- We wait.

The effects of the
lysergic acid diethylamide

I'd first seen in subject
two, Shelly Powers.

She exhibits increased
energy and excitement

mixed with minor hallucinations.

Ah.

It's so, so fucking hot.

Subject's pupils are dilated

and she exhibits
extreme perspiration.

She's removed her clothing.

Subject one is
having a reaction.

Subject one, Brian Mercer,

shows signs of
hyperreflexia onset

and visual discomfort.

- I should get in there.
- Standby.

Subject is experiencing emesis

of common side effect
with chemical induction.

We'll continue monitoring
with suggestion

of lower dosage
for further trials.

Patient one is
experiencing paranoia

and fear of being watched
by unseen being or beings.

Grab a guard and give him 200
milligrams of chlorpromazine

to reduce the effects.
- Yes, doctor.

And start an IV for dehydration.

We'll substitute diamorphine
for the patient moving forward.

Patient three, Laurence Stanley,

is subdued in a fetal position.

His knees to his chest.

Give us this day
our daily bread.

He mouths words.

And forgive us our trespasses.

Can you tell what he's saying?

Is he praying?

Fuck you. Fuck you.

What the fuck is this shit?

Give me a hit, man, I'm need it.

What the fuck!
- Patient four,

Desmond Wallace shows
heightened emotions.

He is less affected by the LSD

than the other patients
due to potential buildup

of chemical tolerance.

Recommend alternative
0.7 micrograms,

3-part quinuclidinol benzoate.

How long will it last?

Eight hours.

Eight hours, woah.

The last person I'd expect.

I was just grabbing
the, ah, the Mercer file.

Are you moving offices?

No. No, I'm, um, I'm not.

- Sorry.
- Don't be.

I mean, you played the
game. I could have.

Have a drink with me.

- I really should be-
- No, no, sit.

You're a good man Ford.

But you need to be careful.

I'm not sure what
you're talking about.

Politics and science
make the worst of friends.

I'm just doing my job.

I know you believe that.

But medicine is business

and in business you always
have to ask yourself

why, why do they pay?

What do they want that has
that much value to them?

My intentions are good.

Your intentions
never worried me.

But what do I know?

I'm just an old
man without a job.

What, what are you suggesting?

Into whatsoever houses I enter,

I will enter to help the sick.

I will abstain from all intentional
wrong-doing and harm,

especially abusing
the body as a man.

Or woman, bond or free.

Follow it and pray.

You laugh.

And science can't
explain everything.

Just a continual evolution
without consequence,

but in life, Jesus,
that's all there is.

Action, consequence.

What if I just don't believe?

Hmm, then you
haven't yet been lost.

We all need
something to save us.

I need your notes, doc.

Where are you
taking all of this?

Ask Morgan.

Tell him I'd like
to talk to him.

You got his number.

Call him.

Other experiments
were not as conventional.

Neurophysicist, Dr. Jose
Delgado was financed

by the office of Naval Research.

In this experiment
the bull is sedated.

Electrodes are
implanted in its brain.

Delgado transmits an
electronic impulse

to the center of
the bull's brain.

Delgado has remote
control of the animal.

Recently released
CIA documents refer

to the feasibility of
remote control of animals,

and that special investigations
will be conducted

toward the application
of selected elements

of these techniques to man.

Dallas, you sees me, Dallas?

Ict see rot, rot, I say.

Yeah.

- You called?
- Yeah.

Ford's asking questions.

Just keep him focused,

we need the facade to
continue for the funding.

He wants to see you.

I'll be there in a week or two,

very busy here.

Our German is making
some progress.

How are things there?

We moved in.

Dwyer's at work.

You'll hear from me.

If I wasn't here,
would you wanna hold it?

Maybe.

I like you.

Why do you like me?

You see me.

Do others not see you?

They choose not to.

Always so high.

So I make them.

Shelly, keep your shirt on.

Do you want me, Dr. Ford?

I want you to fuck me.

Look at me.

Nurse.

Don't make me burn
you, motherfucker.

Can you get me the
deprivation mask, thank you.

Do you trust me, Brian?

You can't keep them away.

You, you can't keep them away.

I'm going to help you now.

So I need you to
relax for a moment.

Sh, sh, sh.

Slow your breathing.

There you go.

Now this is just a mask.

Can you breathe?

Are you in that field
you've been talking about?

Yes, it's dark.

And cold.

Is anyone with you?

No, alone.

Alone?

No. No.

No.

What is it?

I, I hear them, they're coming.

- Who's coming?
- The beasts.

- Leave the field.
- I can't, I can't leave.

Why not?

It's locked, the door's locked.

Then knock.

- They won't answer.
- Try.

They won't, they
won't let me in,

and they're coming.
- Who?

- Not till I'm a man.
- Brian?

Who won't let you in Brian?

- They're, they're here.
- Who?

- No, no, no!
- Who?

No, no, no, no!

No, stop!

I need a hit.

I'm dying here.

I'm hurting inside.

You see this?

Give it to me.

Give it to me now.

It's empty.

You fucking with me.

You fucking with me.

This is all it provides
your life, nothing.

Makes you empty inside.

Makes you meaningless,
meaningless and empty.

Fucking with my head.

You should rest, drink fluids.

What's Laura's status.

The 500 micrograms of
lysergic acid diethylamide

kicked in about an hour ago.

Then we continue.

Would you hand me
my spare glasses,

they should be in
the top drawer.

Yes, doctor.

Thank you.

Everything okay?

It's just a
different prescription.

Good.

Nurse, make sure someone stays

with patient Powers
at all times.

I'll be right in.
- Yes, doctor.

What was all that about?

He's out. Too
much of a liability.

We transfer him
to rehabilitation.

Talking about the girl.

Why can't you leave her alone?

Shelly, she, ah,

she seems to,

Shelly's actions seem to
be based on a past series

of neglect, based on an
addicted parental structure.

She's ah, she acts
out for attention

and she's after the
result, not the desire.

She liked your pretty face.

Well, drugs seem to be
working, at least for these two.

The real mystery.

Was this before you were Laura?

I have always been Laura.

Always?

Yes.

What about Laurence?

Always Laura.

All right, tell me,

tell me again
about your parents.

I love them.

They love me.

Did they ever do
anything to hurt you?

No. I'm their daughter.

Then why did you leave home?

So people
would stop judging them.

Why do people judge them?

Only God can judge.

I understand.

And what does God
think about your lying?

That's between him and me.

What do you think?

That he forgives.

Our father who art in heaven.
- What's going on?

Hallowed be thy
name, thy kingdom come.

Didn't know you were coming.

Should I have called first?

No, it's fine.

What happened?

One of the
patients turned violent.

Oh, that's a shame.

This one over here
is interesting.

Actually, she's the only one

who doesn't seem to be
responding to the treatment.

You should actually take a look

at the progress from
patient Brian Mercer.

I like this one.

I heard you asked for me.

Yes, I asked weeks ago.

Well, I'm here.

I had some questions

about where my research
is being taken.

I like questions.

Agent Galvin, I
wanna be very sure

that we are both on
the same page here.

Has your funding been arriving?

It's been coming, the money?

Yes, but that has nothing to
do with the subject at hand.

Do your job.

Anything else?

- No.
- Good.

Keep up the good work, doc.

You okay?

Lucky it wasn't worse.

It's not that.

What is it then?

I can't figure her out.

Who?

Patient, down to three now,

so it's hardly a study.

Stands little chance
of getting published,

but there's this one,

she perplexes me.

It's like the deeper I
look the less I find.

Well, maybe there
isn't anything.

Maybe you're searching so hard

because you want
there to be something,

but there really isn't anything.

50% Success rates.

It's nothing, it's
the toss of a coin.

Then maybe you should stop.

It's okay to stop.

Something isn't right.

Sorry I'm late.

How do you feel?

Like shit. Is
everyone prepped?

Where's Laura?

The state came
and took Laurence this morning.

What you talking about?

I thought you knew.

Of course I didn't fucking know.

She's gone.

That can't happen.

- It happened.
- That, I, look, look!

I'm down to two patients,
that is not a fucking study.

Get some more.

You, this, we're weeks in,

you can't just
replicate information,

it doesn't work like that.

It, it takes time and I
need her back, come on.

You're not gonna see her again.

What's he doing with her?

Come on, fuck you
with the silence.

Come on, there's gotta
be something, okay?

There's nothing.

All right, well I, I guess

I don't like that
answer very much.

No one needs you to be happy.

Yes, so what if I'm out too?

It's not your choice anymore.

That's not an option
anymore for you.

So I suggest you take a moment

and breathe.

And then I'll see
you back in there.

It's time to go to work.

The existence
of these safe houses

was disclosed last year.

Details of what took
place within them

has not been told.

A former CIA official who
worked in the safe houses,

reveals that they were used
not only for drug testing,

but to study sexual behavior

and how it could be used
to manipulate people.

We did quite a study

of prostitutes and
their behavior.

How do you take a woman

who's willing to use her body
to get money out of a guy

to get him to talk about things

which are much more
important, like state secrets?

You ready, Brian?

Okay.

That's good.

That's good.

Meh.

Laura, Laura?

Laura! Laura?

Laura!

Laura!

Police department,
how may I help you?

It's me.

Where the fuck you been?

Sarah?

She's fine.

Ford's seen too
much, scrub it all.

I gotta go.

The day was already underway

when the Senate prepared
the subcommittee,

holding hearings on this issue.

The White House
responded rapidly

to the board's recommendations.

Dr. James Killian,

who had just assumed
his new position

as special assistant
to the president.

And some technology.

Arranged a meeting

for the first week of
December among the president,

the director of
Central Intelligence,

Mr. Allen Dulles.

It's Nurse
Irwin, there's been an incident.

What happened?

There was a fire in your office.

Everything is gone.

My files. What about my files?

Shelly escaped from her quarters

shortly after we left.

She doused herself in accelerant
before she lit up the room.

Oh, fuck.

No, it wasn't her.

Okay.
The moment of truth.

Will you let us know
when you're through?

- Yes.
- All right.

Shelly?

Shelly, it's Dr. Strauss.

Listen to me.

I know this wasn't you.

And I am so sorry.

What?

Cameraman.

Yeah, cameraman.

I'm sorry.

And one of those

who took part in these programs.

In 1977, the Senate
subcommittee heard testimony

from many of them,

but the testimony was
not that revealing.

According to one of them,

they agreed amongst
themselves to keep the inquiry

within bounds that would
satisfy the committee.

Former narcotics
officer Charles Siragusa

says that he was asked
to limit his testimony

by the man he reported
to at the CIA.

He warned me not
to say anything.

To perjure yourself.

That's right.

Well, either that, I'd
have to perjure myself

or take the fifth amendment.

And I'm not about to take the
fifth amendment for anybody.

Has mind control been achieved?

From all of the available
evidence it appears doubtful.

The human will has
prevailed up to this point.

But as we have seen, work
is continuing in this field.

Work that we still don't
know very much about.

How deeply are the Russians

and other dictatorships
into all of this?

We really can't say,

and the CIA is reluctant to
give out information about it.

But the basic question remains.

What place does all of this
have within a democracy?

One final point should be made.

As one of the persons who worked
on these programs told us,

"We have very capable,
conscientious,

and very dedicated scientists
working for our country.

Their work speaks for itself."