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Amazon.co.uk Review
It's impossible to talk about Standard Operating Procedure without referencing Taxi to the Dark Side. Fortunately, both documentaries are vital to any discussion about US military interrogation techniques. While Alex Gibney's Oscar winner uses the death of an Iraqi taxi driver as a framing device, director Errol Morris and writer Philip Gourevitch (We Wish to Inform You that Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families) examine the issue through visual evidence (they also collaborated on a book of the same name). While Gibney concentrates on Bhagram, Morris focuses on Abu Ghraib, but his self-described "non-fiction horror film," which features a dramatic Danny Elfman score and slow motion re-enactments, runs along two tracks. First, he aims to find out what happened at the infamous institution. Along with the photographs and video footage, he speaks to the guards and the brigadier general who oversaw their operations, including former army specialist Lynndie England, who has all the charm of Aileen Wuornos (so memorably immortalized in Monster). As in his Thin Blue Line, accounts contradict other accounts. In Morris's world, absolute truth doesn't exist-- it's up to viewers to decide which subjects seem most reliable. This leads to his parallel goal, which is to question the reliability of imagery. Photography was prohibited at Abu Ghraib, so he identifies the responsible parties, the reasoning behind their rule-breaking, and the stories behind the most incendiary pictures. If less emotionally engaging than Gibney's feature, Standard Operating Procedure is just as essential--and every bit as disturbing. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Synopsis
Errol Morris examines the incidents of abuse and torture of suspected terrorists at the hands of U.S. forces at the Abu Ghraib prison.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Having watched this DVD tonight I feel compelled to reply to the previous 2 comments. They nearly put me off watching it, however I'm glad I watched it for the following reasons
1. It was a useful reminder of the horrors of Abu Graib and a good summation of that sick little episode.
2. It is a damn good story though wouldn't it be better if it were fiction.
3. It will stand as a historical record (open to interpretation of course)
4. It is undeniably facinating to see and hear the perpetrators discuss the events.
5. The conclusions that the little guys were prosecuted while the really serious crimes, murder, torture etc were never dealt with.
What I didn't like about the film were stylistic elements- use of re-enactments and music trying to make it more "cinematic". It didn't need any of this and in fact it detracted from the gripping narrative and the talking heads and the pictures. No additional elements were required. Looking into the eyes of the ex military personell involved was drama enough.
So not perfect but a valuable document.
1. It was a useful reminder of the horrors of Abu Graib and a good summation of that sick little episode.
2. It is a damn good story though wouldn't it be better if it were fiction.
3. It will stand as a historical record (open to interpretation of course)
4. It is undeniably facinating to see and hear the perpetrators discuss the events.
5. The conclusions that the little guys were prosecuted while the really serious crimes, murder, torture etc were never dealt with.
What I didn't like about the film were stylistic elements- use of re-enactments and music trying to make it more "cinematic". It didn't need any of this and in fact it detracted from the gripping narrative and the talking heads and the pictures. No additional elements were required. Looking into the eyes of the ex military personell involved was drama enough.
So not perfect but a valuable document.
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This along with taxi to the dark side are a great explanation why we should have rules of war the Geneva convention and human rights, and stick to them. I know the British have done many shameful (and worse) things like this in the past. It is interesting to note that the people who did these acts do not on the whole recognise that they have done great wrong to innocent people in whose countries they were aggressive invaders and occupiers. Torture is stupid because it does not work, the victim tells you any old nonsense they think you want to hear in order to stop the pain. Then acting on the duff information gets you in more trouble.
Format:Blu-ray
I found it a very good documentary, giving insight into the American military culture. Astonishing that the people who gave the orders were never charged or convicted. Only the men and women of the lowest ranks got made scapegoats.
There are some funny moments as well, the "softening up" of prisoners by playing continues loud music. They (prisoners)were able to handle basically all kinds of music except Country & Western music.
Also interviews with "consultants" hired to do interogations. Brave of the people who helped making this documentary and scary to see how the Americans operate with their commanding officers & Bush administrators washing their hands in innocence.
There are some funny moments as well, the "softening up" of prisoners by playing continues loud music. They (prisoners)were able to handle basically all kinds of music except Country & Western music.
Also interviews with "consultants" hired to do interogations. Brave of the people who helped making this documentary and scary to see how the Americans operate with their commanding officers & Bush administrators washing their hands in innocence.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
shocking for unexpected reasons
i have been a avid documentary viewer for over 25 years , watching material from around the world and including some quite alarming subjects.......... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Andrew Sims
A story barely worth telling.
The only advantage this film has over the infinitely superior Taxi to the Dark Side [DVD] is the interviews with the people actually involved in the famous photos that 'shocked'... Read more
Published on 2 April 2009 by D. Payne
The Photos were shocking but the movie is not.
The movie never gripped me but was rather a long documentary without highlights. A lot was done to make something more interesting than it is and I didn't like the style of the... Read more
Published on 17 Mar 2009 by Gisli Jokull Gislason
The Photos were shocking the movie is not
The movie never gripped me but was rather a long documentary without highlights. A lot was done to make something more interesting than it is and I didn't like the style of the... Read more
Published on 17 Mar 2009 by Gisli Jokull Gislason
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