Its small lesser know stories like these that can reassure you that there are real hero's out there standing up for what is right no matter the adversity!! I had never heard of this story before even though it only happened 10 or so years ago. However I suppose that the victors / "the good guys" write history and that is where cover-ups can be achieved by people that want all the glory but don't want all of the truth to come out! Unfortunately they don't count on incredibly brave and special individuals to stand up and say NO!
The abuse of power that these soldiers and their staff sergeant carried out is appalling. Killing innocent and unarmed civilians for their own entertainment is the definition of abuse of power. The fact that after the events they celebrate back at their base as if their favourite sports team has just won, makes me sick! However it only takes one...........one person to burst the bubble and unravel the truth. Following the young recruit as he joins the unit and starts to go out out missions, realises that something doesn't add up. Then the moment of realisation hits him and he has to make the biggest decision of his life, what side of history does he want to be on? Its either turn a blind eye and join in, or stand up and say NO , no matter the consequences. Unfortunately with him not going along with the killing means that he has to witness and endure more of the torture. It culminates in him having to take part in a shooting of an innocent man just so he can stay out of the firing line of suspicion that he is the rat in the unit. The fact that the young recruit got 3 years in prison is hard to judge whether that is fair or not?? What is not hard to judge is the fact that the staff sergeant got life in prison.......justice served.
Alexander Skarsgard and Nat Wolf are both in particular extremely good in the film, I am quite surprised with this being an A24 production that their performances aren't getting more award buzz..........especially for Skarsgard who is haunting in his portrayal of the staff sergeant. Even when his character is not on screen his presence is definitely felt...........superb!!! Nat Wolf on the other hand is a very likeable guy so it is very easy to route for him in the film............even though it would be difficult not too. Definitely got me interested in what he does next!
Overall its 75% out of 100 it is very very close to being 80% but for one good reason. The film has everything , good direction, acting, story, pacing.............the only thing missing for me was more production to the film and would love to have seen some real news coverage of the real incident, maybe some court room reenactments??? At 1hr 30 mins the film doesn't seem fully finished if I'm being honest, got to be a few things were cut out here and there............its 3/4 of the way there. However 3/4 its not bad going..........extremely uncomfortable psychological horror that is called the truth!
The abuse of power that these soldiers and their staff sergeant carried out is appalling. Killing innocent and unarmed civilians for their own entertainment is the definition of abuse of power. The fact that after the events they celebrate back at their base as if their favourite sports team has just won, makes me sick! However it only takes one...........one person to burst the bubble and unravel the truth. Following the young recruit as he joins the unit and starts to go out out missions, realises that something doesn't add up. Then the moment of realisation hits him and he has to make the biggest decision of his life, what side of history does he want to be on? Its either turn a blind eye and join in, or stand up and say NO , no matter the consequences. Unfortunately with him not going along with the killing means that he has to witness and endure more of the torture. It culminates in him having to take part in a shooting of an innocent man just so he can stay out of the firing line of suspicion that he is the rat in the unit. The fact that the young recruit got 3 years in prison is hard to judge whether that is fair or not?? What is not hard to judge is the fact that the staff sergeant got life in prison.......justice served.
Alexander Skarsgard and Nat Wolf are both in particular extremely good in the film, I am quite surprised with this being an A24 production that their performances aren't getting more award buzz..........especially for Skarsgard who is haunting in his portrayal of the staff sergeant. Even when his character is not on screen his presence is definitely felt...........superb!!! Nat Wolf on the other hand is a very likeable guy so it is very easy to route for him in the film............even though it would be difficult not too. Definitely got me interested in what he does next!
Overall its 75% out of 100 it is very very close to being 80% but for one good reason. The film has everything , good direction, acting, story, pacing.............the only thing missing for me was more production to the film and would love to have seen some real news coverage of the real incident, maybe some court room reenactments??? At 1hr 30 mins the film doesn't seem fully finished if I'm being honest, got to be a few things were cut out here and there............its 3/4 of the way there. However 3/4 its not bad going..........extremely uncomfortable psychological horror that is called the truth!