Only the Dead

It's a little disingenuous to claim that 'Al-Zarqawi' is a star in this documentary as if the creator was his 'go to guy'. I got no particular feeling of this at all, despite claims made during the documentary. I won't go into why, it would ruin the story. Despite these claims, it is a pretty good documentary and worth a watch for the sheer nakedness of the war displayed in all it's horror. Why we have censorship in countries is beyond me. War is war and should never be taken lightly. The age of some of these soldiers is unbelievable and the things and decisions they are exposed to on a daily basis is horrendous that it's really no surprise when they come back and develop PTSD.

Real life violence is more disturbing than movie violence, that's a fact, as this brave Aussie individual filmmaker/journalist, Ware, takes us, may'be, too close, sometimes, to the ongoing way in Iraq, while this was early times, for that number one, infamous and hunted terrorist. Here, they're after a smaller important party, with a price on his head. This is a stark and grim ride amidst bombs, be headings and some truly scary, and dangerously serious moments, one involving the welfare of our filmmaker, who's made something short of a masterpiece, and a beautifully written V.O doc too by Ware. The film has a nasty air to it, and that's how it should be seen. He's one of the bravest and ballsy filmmakers, I've seen, this side of war. At the end of it, my Dad commented, jokingly or not, "I hope he didn't go back". No joke, that very realization had me in a pith of worry and concern. Probably the best, up close and personal view of this endless nightmarish war you'll ever see. Be warned, some of the violent images, are stark and shocking, and will be heavy on some viewers, one in the second to the final frame of the still breathing enemy, you thought initially was a goner. There are a few stereotypical moments, that has us feeling we're just watching another in the field doco on this war, but I'm no saying that as a criticism. A non issue. For the most part, it's a frank and unsettling journey into the blackest realities of the war, the meaty part of the footage of Ware's trepidation and dangerous exploits, really starting mid way.

Fantastic story telling by Michael Ware in this gripping doc that portrays the harsh realities of war in a sense that is rarely attempted, let alone achieved. Kudos to the job of capturing the raw emotion from the soldiers' before, during and after conflicts where they are fighting for their lives. They are moments that 95% of the civilian population have never witnessed. The film could of been a tad shorter, as I felt there were a few unnecessary scenes. But overall, the pace and narration were spot on for the most part. This documentary is definitely not meant for the faint of heart, but, if you are interested in REALITY then this film is meant for you.

Only the Dead is a Western take on the Iraq conflict.

In spite of attempts to bridge the gap between the US invaders and Iraqi defenders, for me, this remains a Westernised perspective on the Iraq war. Its an interesting one, nonetheless.

What is clear from this documentary is the simple brutality and folly of war. People simply die, there's no pretense or sentiment. Whats especially troubling, is how modern urban warfare leaves no discernible boundary between civilians and military combatants. Everyone is at risk and under suspicion, there is no safe harbour.

This documentary is capably narrated by the Australian journalist who films instances of the Iraq war. He offers personal insights into how war effects him and those around him, including the often youthful US soldiers.

Take a look but be warned some of this is disturbing. Seven out of ten from me.

I Have just returned from seeing this little gem.

This is the most confronting doco I have ever seen. However, every person in what we like to call 'The West' needs to see this film. Every politician who sends our youth to war, every person who denies entry to asylum seekers from war-torn Iraq (and its neighbours), and every person who has an opinion about our 'invasion' of Iraq.

We all know Michael Ware, that crazy Australian CNN reporter who was in the thick of it. I think Michael will excuse my use of 'crazy' because without these men and women who act as correspondents in war, we would never have perspectives not filtered by our governments.

Ware returned from 7 years in Iraq with over 300 hours of tapes from a handicam that he described tonight in person at the screening as his notebook for his writing. This is his 'accidental documentary'.

In this doco we see the fresh-faced Ware in Iraq just before the 2003 invasion. We see him as he becomes the favoured news outlet for the emerging group that would become Islamic State. We see him question himself, how dark the human mind can become and how desensitisation goes hand-in-hand with warfare. We see the fresh- faced young Americans who have been thrust into this warzone as little more that teenagers (and some still are). We see the tragedy for the people of Iraq. Then we see the conclusion that tests our humanity and how we see others. It will shake you.

Take a deep breath, buy a ticket and prepare to never be the same (but I think for the better).

Thanks Michael :)