The War Tapes

The War Tapes

By Deborah Scranton

  • Genre: Documentary
  • Release Date: 2007-05-15
  • Advisory Rating: NR
  • Runtime: 1h 36min
  • Director: Deborah Scranton
  • Production Company: SenArt Films
  • Production Country: United States of America
  • iTunes Price: USD 7.99
  • iTunes Rent Price: USD 3.99
7/10
7
From 14 Ratings

Description

Straight from the front lines in Iraq, THE WAR TAPES is the first war movie filmed by soldiers themselves. Directed by Deborah Scranton, and produced by Robert May (The Fog of War) and Steve James (Hoop Dreams), THE WAR TAPES is Operation Iraqi Freedom as filmed by Sergeant Steve Pink, Sergeant Zack Bazzi, and Specialist Mark Moriarty. Steve is a wisecracking carpenter who aspires to be a writer. Zack is a Lebanese-American university student who loves to travel and is fluent in Arabic. Mike is a father and resolute patriot who rejoined the Army after 9/11. These soldiers captured over 800 hours of footage, providing a glimpse of their lives in the midst of war. The result is a raw portrait of three men--and their families--as they face, and struggle to understand, their duty.

Trailer

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Reviews

  • A must see

    5
    By Eight three one
    This is a great documentary that gives a glimpse into what our soldiers go through and the stress caused by fighting an enemy that blends into a civilian population.
  • Outstanding!!!

    5
    By futuremarine55
    This movie was excellent and really gives you an inside look on what goes on in soldiers minds.
  • America says thank you!

    5
    By Ebert I'm not
    Thank you, tlc8326 for commenting that this movie follows your husband's unit, and your husband filmed some of the action. While I have not been in agreement with our government's reasons for initiating the war in IRAQ, I am 100% supportive of our soldiers, and I try to say "thank you for your service to our country" everytime I meet a new veteran. You commented that these are real soldiers fighting for something that most people don't care about anymore. While it's true there was a significant negative slide during the last administration in peoples' attitudes about what is being accomplished in the Middle East. However, while a large percentage of Americans may disagree with the military action going on over there and have grave concerns about the exit strategy, I think there is no shortage of Americans who are extremely grateful for the sacrifice that our soldiers are making on all of our behalf. So to you, tlc8326 and your husband, as well as the other men and women in this film, I say, thank you very much for your service to our country.
  • great movie

    5
    By djYAAAS
    Amazing firsthand accounts. It's real stuff, not sugarcoated or bias. Just the truth of a soldier's reality.
  • Consider this...

    5
    By Pmon-El Segundo
    This documentary does not hold anything back. It’s both enlightening and disturbing. Watching this documentary one can get a feel for what a soldier goes through in battle. This film follows a National Guard troop from their Idealistic safe haven in NH to the unrealistic battleground of Iraq. You feel the frustration of the men as they try to understand what their purpose is for being in this war. Be prepared to witness things that you might not want to see. It’s a great film to show someone who is considering joining the service, or for someone who has friend, co-worker, or loved one that has been on tour. I gave the film five stars because it left with an understanding that I would have never grasped had I not have viewed this documentary.
  • Non-partisan look at what's really happening over there

    4
    By Jch818309
    I definitely liked this documentary. For the most part, it's non-partisan - no slants on what's happening over there, just straight footage of what's going on and what our soldiers are going through and what they're feeling. After they get home, then they give their views of what they think they went over there for, which is good - it shows that not all military people are as pro-Bush as most think they are. Some are smart enough to understand the big picture and are blindly consumed by patriotism and going to war just for the sake of going to war. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who doesn't want a left-slant or a right-slant like you get from the news. Get it from the source - our soldiers.
  • happy

    5
    By tlc8326
    this is my husbands unit he is in the film and helped record footage as well. im very happy to see it on itunes where millions of people can see it. If you wanna say bad things then fine but remeber this is REAL these guys fought for something i think most americans dont even care about anymore.
  • Great Documentary

    5
    By gnigrello93
    i really dont like documentaries cause there boring. But in the war tapes there is nothing boring about it, it also shows side of soldiers after they come back. its a emotional rollar coaster
  • review

    2
    By 6-Strings
    Marginally made film. Topic is important but it just barely touched the tip of the iceberg in terms of the violence and chaos happening in this war (and war in general). It was nice to hear some opinions from the 3 main national guard about KRB and the disdainful, uncaring attitude of a capitalist like Cheney. The biggest problem with the film is the narrow-minded, macho view of 2 of the 3 guardsmen who are so limited with their ability to be feeling human beings. It was intersting to see such limited views but predictable at best and what i expect to find in the attitudes of most people who go off to fight in war. I felt Bazzi repesented a more modern-day educated soldier who thinks with his mind and not his muscle.
  • Great and real

    5
    By Of few words
    Whether you're for or against the war, this is a great documentary to check out. I loved it. It puts a human face on the whole issue.

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