What Is The Age of Disclosure About?
The premise of The Age of Disclosure in 313 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
Dan Farah’s The Age of Disclosure unfolds as a documentary mosaic, assembling interviews with current and former government officials, military personnel, intelligence veterans, ufologists, and unconventional scientists. Rather than pursuing a conventional story, it builds suspense through competing testimony and a single provocative question: how much has the U.S. government known about non-human intelligence, and for how long? Luis Elizondo serves as the narrative guide, describing his work with the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program and the alleged “Legacy Program,” a hidden effort said to have studied and concealed evidence of extraterrestrials since 1947 or earlier.
The film’s central atmosphere is one of institutional secrecy and quiet urgency. Jay Stratton describes a global competition to reverse-engineer extraterrestrial technology, comparing its stakes to the Manhattan Project. Around him, figures such as Marco Rubio, Kirsten Gillibrand, Mike Rounds, Tim Burchett, André Carson, and Mike Gallagher connect UFO disclosure to national security, public trust, and bipartisan political action. Their presence lends the documentary an uneasy sense that the subject has moved beyond fringe speculation and into the machinery of government.
Military and intelligence voices deepen that tension. David Fravor, Alex Dietrich, Ryan Graves, James D. Cobb, and others evoke encounters that appear to challenge familiar assumptions about unidentified aerial phenomena, while James Clapper, Christopher C. Miller, Christopher Mellon, and Tim Gallaudet reflect the subject’s place within official oversight. Their perspectives create a layered portrait of a hidden information war, balancing personal conviction with the caution required by classified roles.
The documentary also widens the possible implications beyond advanced aircraft and recovered technology. Garry Nolan, Mike Flaherty, Robert Jacobs, and Robert Salas point toward biological effects, aviation safety, and incidents that may have been obscured by official explanations. Throughout, the film remains tantalizingly unresolved, inviting viewers to consider what disclosure could mean for humanity’s security, scientific understanding, and place in a universe that may not be alone.
What Happens in The Age of Disclosure?
The complete story of The Age of Disclosure, from the first scene to the last, in 261 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 13 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Age of Disclosure is a detailed exploration featuring interviews with current and former U.S. elected officials, military personnel, and intelligence officers, alongside ufologists and scientists. The central premise suggests that the United States government has been aware of extraterrestrial life and has been retrieving alien technology since at least 1947. The film’s title refers to the hypothetical future event where governments finally reveal withheld information regarding UFOs to the general public.
The documentary is narrated by Luis Elizondo, a former U.S. Department of Defense employee who served in the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP). Together with parapsychologist Harold E. Puthoff and physicist Eric W. Davis, Elizondo claims they uncovered a secret “Legacy Program” that has concealed evidence of alien intelligence for over 80 years. Adding to these claims, Jay Stratton, the former director of the UAP Task Force, describes a global race to reverse-engineer alien technology, comparing the scale and secrecy of the effort to the Manhattan Project.
The film features a wide array of high-profile figures, including:
- Government Officials: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Senator Mike Rounds, Representative Tim Burchett, and Representative André Carson.
- Intelligence and Military Leaders: Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Chris Mellon, and Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet.
Additionally, the film incorporates testimonies from fighter pilots and intelligence veterans like Jim Semivan. These witnesses discuss aviation safety concerns and specific historical incidents, such as missile system malfunctions and sightings from the 1960s, while other experts analyze the alleged biological effects linked to UFO encounters.
The Age of Disclosure Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Alleged Alien Technology Recoveries Begin” to “The Promise of 'Disclosure'”. 4 events name a place, across 2 locations.
- 1
Alleged Alien Technology Recoveries Begin
According to officials interviewed in the film, the United States government has been aware of alien life and retrieving extraterrestrial technology since 1947 if not before. This alleged recovery effort marks the starting point of the decades-long secrecy that the documentary examines.
When:1947 Where:United States
- 2
Decades of Claims from Insiders and Ufologists
The documentary gathers ufologists, government associates, and fringe scientists who claim, in some cases for decades, that the U.S. government has concealed knowledge of alien life. Their long-standing assertions form the backdrop against which the officials' testimonies unfold.
When:For decades
- 3
Robert Jacobs Witnesses a Missile Disabled
Former Air Force Lieutenant Robert Jacobs describes witnessing what he believed to be a UFO disabling a missile. His account represents one of the earliest firsthand military testimonies presented in the documentary.
When:1964
- 4
Robert Salas Reports a Missile Malfunction
Retired Air Force Captain Robert Salas recalls an incident where a missile system malfunction allegedly coincided with a UFO report. His testimony reinforces the pattern of alleged UFO interference with nuclear weapons systems.
When:1967
- 5
Luis Elizondo Assigned to AATIP
Luis Elizondo, a former U.S. Department of Defense employee who narrates the film, says he was assigned to the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) in 2009. The program was tasked with investigating unidentified aerial phenomena, and his work there becomes central to the film's narrative.
When:2009 Where:The Pentagon
- 6
Discovery of the Secret 'Legacy Program'
Elizondo, alongside AATIP engineer consultant and parapsychologist Hal Puthoff and his collaborator Eric Davis, allege they discovered a secret government 'Legacy Program'. They claim the program investigated and concealed evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence for more than 80 years.
- 7
Personal Encounters in the 2010s
Retired U.S. Army colonel and Northrop Grumman executive Karl Nell, along with UAPTF members Travis S. Taylor and Mike Gold, describe experiences they say happened to them in the 2010s. Their accounts add to the growing roster of insider testimonies featured in the film.
When:2010s
- 8
Navy Pilots Recall Pentagon UFO Encounters
U.S. Navy pilots David Fravor, Alex Dietrich, and Ryan Graves are interviewed about their connections to the Pentagon UFO videos and reports. Former U.S. Air Force pilot and NORAD director, Colonel James D. Cobb, also shares his perspective. Their firsthand accounts helped bring military encounters with unexplained aerial objects into public awareness.
- 9
Aviation Safety Concerns Raised
Ryan Graves and Brett Feddersen, formerly of the United States National Security Council and a director at the Federal Aviation Administration, discuss aviation safety concerns related to UFOs. Their conversation highlights the potential risks that unidentified phenomena may pose to civilian and military air traffic.
- 10
A Race to Reverse Engineer Alien Technology
Jay Stratton, former director of the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force (UAPTF), claims there is a race among governments to reverse engineer alien technology. He compares the alleged effort to the Manhattan Project that developed nuclear weapons during World War II.
Show the other 5 events of The Age of Disclosure Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Alleged Biological Effects Linked to UFOs
Garry Nolan, an academic with an interest in ufology, and Mike Flaherty, a retired U.S. Navy intelligence officer, discuss their allegations of biological effects linked to UFOs. Their testimony introduces a human health dimension to the film's central claims.
- 12
Former Intelligence Officials Speak Out
Former intelligence community and military officials are interviewed about their alleged UFO-related experiences, including James Clapper, former Director of National Intelligence, Christopher C. Miller, former acting Secretary of Defense, Christopher Mellon, and retired Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet. Their participation lends institutional credibility to the film's allegations.
- 13
Sitting Officials Address the UAP Issue
The film features current U.S. Secretary of State and acting National Security Advisor Marco Rubio discussing the topic of unidentified aerial phenomena. The participation of serving government officials signals that the issue remains an active concern at the highest levels of government.
When:Present day Where:United States
- 14
Members of Congress Join the Conversation
Current members of the United States Congress appear in the film, including Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Mike Rounds, along with Representatives Tim Burchett, André Carson, Dan Crenshaw, Mike Gallagher, and Anna Paulina Luna. Their involvement reflects ongoing congressional interest in UAP oversight.
When:Present day Where:United States
- 15
The Promise of 'Disclosure'
Director Dan Farah frames 'disclosure' as a hypothetical future time when governments would reveal withheld information about aliens and UFOs to the public. This concept, a pillar of some UFO conspiracy theories, serves as the central idea behind the film and its title.
When:Hypothetical future
Who Are the Main Characters in The Age of Disclosure?
7 characters, among them Luis Elizondo, Harold E. Puthoff and Eric W. Davis: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- LE
Luis Elizondo
Played by Luis Elizondo
Luis Elizondo is a former U.S. Department of Defense employee who played a key role in investigating UFO phenomena. He serves as the narrator, providing insights into the workings of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program. Elizondo is portrayed as passionate about revealing the truth regarding extraterrestrial encounters.
- 🛸 UFOs
- 📜 Government
- 👨🔬 Science
- HE
Harold E. Puthoff
Played by Harold E. Puthoff
Harold E. Puthoff is an electrical engineer and parapsychologist who contributes his expertise to the investigation of UFOs. He is depicted as an advocate for understanding the scientific implications of alien technology. His input lends credibility to the documentary's exploration of the intersection between science and the unknown.
- 🔬 Science
- 🌌 The Unknown
- 📚 Research
- EW
Eric W. Davis
Played by Eric W. Davis
Eric W. Davis is a physicist featured in the film, analyzing the potential biological effects of UFO encounters. His expertise helps ground the documentary's claims in scientific inquiry. Davis's work emphasizes the importance of investigating unexplained phenomena through a scientific lens.
- 🔭 Science
- 🛸 Investigation
- 🌠 Phenomena
- JS
Jay Stratton
Played by Jay Stratton
Jay Stratton is the former director of the UAP Task Force, responsible for overseeing UFO investigations. He provides critical insights into ongoing efforts to understand and reverse-engineer alien technology. Stratton's involvement illustrates the high-level military interest in extraterrestrial life.
- 🛡️ Military
- 👨✈️ Aviation
- 🔍 Investigation
- MR
Marco Rubio
Played by Marco Rubio
Marco Rubio, as a U.S. Secretary of State, appears in the documentary discussing governmental perspectives on UFOs. His position allows him to shed light on the political implications of the ongoing investigations into extraterrestrial encounters. Rubio's role reflects the intersection of governance and outer space affairs.
- 🏛️ Politics
- 👔 Leadership
- 🇺🇸 Government
- KG
Kirsten Gillibrand
Played by Kirsten Gillibrand
Kirsten Gillibrand is a U.S. Senator featured in the film, advocating for transparency regarding UFO phenomena. Her support for legislative measures reflects a growing political movement aimed at demystifying government involvement with extraterrestrial life. Gillibrand's character is symbolically linked to the fight for public awareness.
- 🏛️ Politics
- 🌟 Advocacy
- 🚧 Transparency
- JC
James Clapper
Played by James Clapper
James Clapper, the former U.S. Director of National Intelligence, provides insights into the intelligence community's view on UFOs. His character adds depth to the discussion regarding national security and mysterious aerial phenomena. Clapper's credibility as a high-ranking official underscores the seriousness of the topic.
- 🕵️ Intelligence
- 🚀 Security
- 📊 Analysis
Where and When Is The Age of Disclosure Set?
The Age of Disclosure is set in United States (1947 - Present). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1947 - Present
The narrative spans from 1947, a pivotal year marked by the Roswell incident that fueled UFO conspiracy theories, to the present day. This time period is characterized by a growing interest in extraterrestrial life and an increasing number of reported sightings. It reflects a shift in government policy toward transparency regarding UFO data and technology.
Where
United States
The film predominantly takes place in the United States, a nation known for its advanced military and intelligence capabilities. It highlights various government offices and military installations that have been involved in UFO investigations. The U.S. has a long history of secrecy surrounding extraterrestrial matters, making it a focal point for discussions on alien encounters.
- 🇺🇸 United States
- 🚀 Technology
What Are the Themes of The Age of Disclosure?
2 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Extraterrestrial Existence and Government Secrecy.
-
01
Extraterrestrial Existence
The movie explores the theme of extraterrestrial life and government secrecy. It suggests that significant evidence of alien technology has been withheld from the public for decades. This theme raises questions about reality and our understanding of the universe.
-
02
Government Secrecy
The film highlights the theme of government secrecy, particularly regarding UFOs and advanced technology. It discusses programs that have concealed information from the public and the implications of such actions for democratic transparency. The notion of a hidden agenda poses moral and ethical questions for government officials.
What Kind of Film Is The Age of Disclosure?
Tense in tone, with steady pacing and a complex story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Complex
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Ambiguous
A sober, suspenseful documentary assembles elite witnesses around UFO revelations, balancing institutional skepticism with unsettling questions about hidden technology, government secrecy, and humanity's place in the cosmos.
- sober
- suspenseful
- conspiratorial
- investigative
- uneasy
- thought-provoking
- ufos and extraterrestrial life
- government secrecy
- military and intelligence cover-up
- alien technology
Content notes: government conspiracy theories, ufos and extraterrestrial life, military and intelligence secrecy, alleged biological effects.
Quiz
How well do you remember The Age of Disclosure? Test yourself on the story.
