Targeting Bin Laden (2011)
A gripping HISTORY Channel documentary that reconstructs the inside story of the decade-long hunt for Osama bin Laden.
Targeting Bin Laden - Movie Information
- Original Title: Targeting Bin Laden
- Release Year: 2011
- Directed by: Bruce Goodison
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Documentary
- Runtime: 1h 37m
- Original Language: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 6, 2011 (United States)
Targeting Bin Laden - Plot
HISTORY's global television event tells the inside story of the operation to hunt and kill Osama bin Laden. From decision-making in the White House to the attack on the compound in Abbottabad, How We Got Bin Laden brings the most compelling story in recent history to life for the first time.
Where to Watch Targeting Bin Laden
Looking for where to watch Targeting Bin Laden?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Targeting Bin Laden - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Bruce Goodison
Main Cast
- Leon Clingman
- Andrew Germishuys
Writers
- Phil Craig
- Bruce Goodison
Targeting Bin Laden - FAQs
What is Targeting Bin Laden about?
Targeting Bin Laden is a HISTORY Channel documentary that reconstructs the decade-long hunt for Osama bin Laden. It traces the intelligence work, White House decision-making, and the final SEAL Team 6 raid on the Abbottabad compound in May 2011 that ended the world's most wanted man.
Is Targeting Bin Laden based on real events?
Yes, the documentary is entirely grounded in real events. It chronicles the actual CIA intelligence operation and the Navy SEAL Team 6 raid that killed Osama bin Laden on May 2, 2011, in Abbottabad, Pakistan — one of the most significant counterterrorism operations in modern history.
Who directed the documentary Targeting Bin Laden?
Bruce Goodison directed Targeting Bin Laden. He also co-wrote the film alongside Phil Craig. Goodison brings a sharp documentary sensibility to the material, weaving together dramatic reconstruction and factual reporting to create a compelling account of the bin Laden operation.
Who appears in Targeting Bin Laden?
The documentary features Leon Clingman portraying CIA Director Leon Panetta and Andrew Germishuys as a SEAL Team 6 member. The film uses dramatic reconstruction alongside factual reporting to bring the key figures of the operation to life on screen.
When did Targeting Bin Laden first air?
Targeting Bin Laden premiered on September 6, 2011, in the United States on the HISTORY Channel. The broadcast came just months after the actual raid, making it one of the earliest in-depth television accounts of the operation to reach a global audience.
Does Targeting Bin Laden cover the Abbottabad raid in detail?
Yes, the raid on the Abbottabad compound is a centerpiece of the documentary. The film reconstructs the SEAL Team 6 assault with considerable detail, covering the planning, execution, and outcome of the mission — giving viewers an immersive look at one of history's most daring military operations.
How long is the documentary Targeting Bin Laden?
Targeting Bin Laden runs for 97 minutes — just over an hour and a half. That runtime gives the film enough space to cover the full arc of the decade-long manhunt, from the aftermath of 9/11 through the intelligence breakthroughs and the final raid in Pakistan.
Are there similar documentaries to Targeting Bin Laden?
If you enjoyed this film, you might also like Birth of the Living Dead (2013), McQueen (2018), or Anna Nicole Smith: You Don't Know Me (2023) — all compelling documentaries that dig deep into defining moments and figures. The Class of '92 (2013) and Dangerous Days: Making Blade Runner (2007) are also worth exploring.
More About Targeting Bin Laden
Explore further details about this documentary on these trusted resources.