Waco: American Apocalypse

"Waco: American Apocalypse" (2023 release; 3 episodes ranging 44 to 51 minutes each) is the latest reassessment of the events that took place 30 years ago in Waco, TX, leading to 90 deaths. As Episode 1 opens, we are immediately in the thick of things as the ATP is trying to execute on a search warrant at the Mount Carmel compound, where a religious cult led by David Koresh is living. Things go wrong from the get-go, and there is an enormous shootout between dozens of ATP agents and the religious cult... At this point we are 10 minutes into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: this is the latest from director Tiller Russell ("Night Stalker"). What could've been a thorough review of these tragic events, instead are brought with a shocking lack of details and context. We literally are given very few details as to the religious cult itself, why ATP decided to get a search warrant, and how exactly things went wrong. What we do get are talking heads who were there: several survivors from the cult, ATP and FBI agents, local TV reporters, lawyers, etc. The lack of coordination and communication within the FBI (the negotiators vs. The Hostage Rescue Team) is shocking. Not that the Branch Davidian folks are much better. Or as one talking head puts it: "Everybody in this touched the ball and fumbled." There are no winners. Back to the lack of details: at the end of the day that April 19, 1993, the mini-series concludes just like that. Not a single word about the YEARS of subsequent legal cases, all the way up to the Supreme Court. Also no information as to what became of the survivors that participated in this documentary. Wow, just wow. This documentary should be titled "Waco: American Tragedy", both as to the events that happened there and as to this mini-series.

"Waco: American Apocalypse" recently premiered on Netflix, and I watched all 3 episodes in a single setting last night. The mini-series isn't completely horrible, but it should have been so much better than this. Of course don't take my word for it so check it out and draw your own conclusion.

Before watching something, I often like to see what "normal" movie/TV watchers on IMDb think, rather than just professional critics. However, for this one, I was glad I relied on TV critics, with the majority saying this was worth watching. I have been amazed to see all the negative reviews being written about this, with the primary criticism of these negative reviews being that the documentary was "too pro-government." I have no idea what these people wanted or expected, although it seems like they wanted an extreme anti-government slant, similar to the people who like to see "documentaries" about Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton that are just bash-fests.

After watching this, but before reading the IMDb reviews, I thought this documentary was not even remotely pro-government. I even questioned how balanced it was, as it shows the government in a pretty negative light. So I think this comes down to the expectations of the watchers and their own biases on this topic.

The other criticism I've seen of this documentary is that it is more descriptive rather than providing in-depth analysis. I think the reason for this is that it leaves it to the viewer to decide what to think, rather than being told what to think.

I was someone who was aware of the Waco tragedy, but not overly familiar with it. Maybe that's why I liked it so much, and if anything, thought that it showed the government in an unfavorable light.

The 3-part documentary ultimately ends up being one more instance of religious extremism, juxtaposed with the failings of the FBI in handling such a situation. There are interviews with some of the survivors from the incident, but to listen to them (except one, who completely breaks down) justify it all in the name of religion makes me sick to my stomach. Is it so hard for those people to acknowledge that David Koresh was a monster? The law enforcement also messed up big time by conveying one thing over negotation-talks and the guys on the field doing the exact opposite. The eventual outcome? 80-something deaths. It'll always remain a dirty little stain in USA's history, especially for the state of Texas. For what it's worth, I'd have liked to know more about Koresh and his doings at the compound, which are only fleetingly mentioned.

So many of these reviews are opinions of the events. Rate the quality of the film. I agree there will always be bias but if you reject the assumptions of the filmmakers - tell the reader why.. Dig a litter deeper with factual information. I enjoyed the doc for its access to source material - especially the interviews. The current era interviews, were to me what made this a good (and unique) documentary on what happened at Waco. Their stories now - so many years later - are enhanced by their aged perspectives and are compelling to hear. This was a tragedy on so many levels. My personal feelings about who are to blame are not compatible with the lens of the filmmaker. However, I appreciated this film and felt it was an important perspective worth viewing.

... are the last words of this documentary. And I just wanted to honour that excellent statement by making it the title of my review.

Like many people, I of course had once heard of "Texas Waco". But when I now think of it, I have to admit that I actually never knew or understood what it really stood for. Yes, I had an idea that it had to do with some kind of cult where many people lost there lives. But, it was this documentary that made me aware for the first time of what actually happened there.

I think it is worth to mention that - after seeing this documentary - that I am amazed that Netflix even produced this documentary. This since it appears to be a really black page in the history of the USA.

The most impressive is to see that the team behind the documentary was able to get many important people included in the documentary. And this from all sides: ATF, FBI, media, and even more impressive, the "Davidian" people that were present in the location. So you will be able to hear the experiences from snipers, negotiators, "cult"-members, politicians, journalists ... and even one of the first ATF agents that entered the building, got shot and was brought to hospital.

This allows the viewer to at least create a "fair" opinion of whom was involved and responsible for the so-called "Waco Massacre". And mind you, even people of the FBI itself were critical of how the situation was handled with.

The documentary impressed me in such a way, that it even made me check on the internet on how the government commemorates the events that happened on that location. And it amazed me that - on a spot where over 80 people died - only one small memorial was placed: i.e. For the 4 ATF agents that died... The other 80 people that lost their lives - including 20 innocent children - seem to go lost. It in some kind of way is a continuation of denial of the ugly events that happened at the site.

And that is why I think this documentary is so important to watch. Because the government clearly doesn't come out unscathed. And the viewer is even reminded of that by showing some direct events that happened a few years later (not mentioning them to prevent spoiling it).

Concluding, I want to mention that I will not give a rating. Just out of respect of the many lives lost. Giving any rating - either high or low - will not do justice to how ugly the events are that you will learn of. I mean, how can I rate something either positive when I see so-called "hero-shots" of ATF and FBI agents poaching with their guns in front of tanks that were used in events where many people got killed. And how can I rate something negative when you see the way that many people involved - from either side - cry tears about the events that occured. And mind you, that's tears from the most hardened FBI agents... I can only say that this documentary deserves an Academy Award for how honest it is in displaying these ugly events.

As a final remark of my review, I want to say that I will not easily forget the words of an FBI person:

"I don't know what hell looks like..." (long silence) "... maybe that".