La marca de Caín

Tony Marchant's film 'The Mark of Cain' tells three stories: that of the impossible task facing British soldiers in Iraq; that of the terrible cruelties they inflicted on Iraqi suspects; and that of a cover-up in the chain of command. The story is fictional but based on true events; however, there's less evidence in the real world for the cover-up than for the other two elements, and while it seems plausible, this aspect of the tale feels more "written" than the other two. And as always with Marchant, there's a careful and clever manipulation of the viewer's sympathies throughout: I never quite feel that Marchant gives me the space to form my own opinion. But it's strong stuff, well-performed and unflinching, even if it doesn't really say much in the end except that bad things happen in war.

This film angered me so much, I've written a review on it even given the age of it now.

It appears after reading other reviews that are clearly written by people with hatred for the British Army or by people who have no idea what war is like, or even what life in the army is like. With people honestly saying that this is an accurate portrayal of what happens in war and that it paints an honest picture of what went on in Iraq. That's either seriously misguided or biased thinking or just downright slanderous lies.

As somebody who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, this film does nothing but insult me and every young man and woman who has served and those who are still serving. It paints the army to be a bunch of young, sadistic, idiotic thugs, it couldn't be any more wrong if it tried.

Utterly disgusting and s***s all over the efforts in Iraq of both the living and the deceased . The director should be ashamed of himself for this steaming turd.

this is an important war movie. the best war movie i've seen since 'three kings' not much shooting or setpiece explosive action mind you. movie critics are uneasy at its stark portrayal of dysfunctional army ways and its psychopathic sergeant whilst we are still in the midst of that same war.

it seems disloyal somehow. to our boys in the field to lay bare the prosaic anatomy of torture so powerfully. but i think this is a film all true soldiers will love.

they say the first casualty of war is truth and they're not far wrong. because war is horrendous.

it's just a damn shame that after all the classic Vietnam war movies that there will be another crop of classic iraq war movies. (eg gunner palace)

A story based on fact, really well depicted. Fundamentally, the film looks at the way humans behave (savagely) when seemingly normal people are put into Highly abnormal situations and the lengths to which humans will go to fit in. If you have a strong stomach for the most demeaning kind of violence portrayed on film then this is a must watch movie. An excellent film, moving and provoking. At the time of writing this review, we had already watched this movie 6 times since it´s release in 2007. Would we watch it again, absolutely.

A seemingly accurate portrait of the British Army immiediately post combat, but drawn into the turbulence of post war Iraq, with the start of sectarian fighting, and bombings.

Based on the experiences of two young lads, and their squad, in Basra in 2003, after the fall of Saddam Hussein, and the legacy as they return home.

Many people may find the home scenes just as poignant as the Iraq scenes. An interesting angle on how young people often try to block out negative thinking.

There are many moral issues to be drawn from this film. Recommended.