There's this movie, 'Zero Dark Thirty' about the hunt for Osama bin Laden. Some have complained that too many 'secrets' were dished out by the intelligence and special operations communities to director Kathryn Bigelow, screenwriter Mark Boal and their crew, part of a broader pattern of using intelligence for political effect.

In this quote, Michael Hayden discusses the controversy surrounding the film Zero Dark Thirty, which depicts the hunt for Osama bin Laden. Hayden acknowledges that some critics have raised concerns about the level of "secrets" that were revealed to the filmmakers, Kathryn Bigelow (director) and Mark Boal (screenwriter). The film, which portrays sensitive intelligence operations and military efforts, sparked debate about whether the intelligence and special operations communities shared too much classified information with the filmmakers, potentially compromising national security.

Hayden suggests that this leak of sensitive information is part of a broader concern regarding the use of intelligence for political effect. He implies that the sharing of classified details for the making of such a film may be part of a pattern where intelligence agencies or government officials use intelligence for political or public relations purposes. In this case, some may argue that the film was used to shape public perception of the bin Laden operation and, by extension, the success of certain government actions.

The origin of this quote stems from Hayden's role as the former Director of the CIA, where he was responsible for overseeing national security operations, including intelligence and military activities related to terrorism. Having led the CIA during the time of the bin Laden operation, Hayden is in a position to reflect on the ethical and practical implications of sharing intelligence with the media, filmmakers, or the public. His comments reflect the tension between transparency, national security, and political narratives.

Ultimately, Hayden’s quote raises important questions about the balance between transparency and security, and the potential consequences of releasing sensitive information to the public for political or entertainment purposes. He suggests that while films like Zero Dark Thirty can shed light on significant events, they also carry risks in terms of how much classified information is made available and the potential impact it can have on both national security and the broader political discourse.