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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Why We Fight explores the rise and consequences of the Military Industrial Complex, as warned about in President Dwight D. Eisenhower's farewell address of 1961: "...we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist."
This speech, according to director Eugene Jarecki's film, is disturbingly prophetic and his film aims to fulfil another part of Eisenhower's speech: "Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defence with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together."
Jarecki attempts to achieve Eisenhower's goal of an "alert and knowledgeable citizenry" through the use of many talking heads, from those on both the political right and left, such as John McCain and Richard Perle, Gore Vidal and most interestingly, former CIA analyst turned academic, Chalmers Johnson. Despite the fact that Jarecki was attempting to fulfil an American, Republican president's farewell wishes, he was unable to raise a single dollar towards the funding of this film in the United States, with the exception of the Sundance Institute.
Why We Fight is an important documentary, taking a calm approach to an important subject, through the use of first hand interviews and plentiful archival footage. This deserves to be seen by as many people as possible because when director Jarecki asks American citizens "Why we fight?... Read more ›
This speech, according to director Eugene Jarecki's film, is disturbingly prophetic and his film aims to fulfil another part of Eisenhower's speech: "Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defence with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together."
Jarecki attempts to achieve Eisenhower's goal of an "alert and knowledgeable citizenry" through the use of many talking heads, from those on both the political right and left, such as John McCain and Richard Perle, Gore Vidal and most interestingly, former CIA analyst turned academic, Chalmers Johnson. Despite the fact that Jarecki was attempting to fulfil an American, Republican president's farewell wishes, he was unable to raise a single dollar towards the funding of this film in the United States, with the exception of the Sundance Institute.
Why We Fight is an important documentary, taking a calm approach to an important subject, through the use of first hand interviews and plentiful archival footage. This deserves to be seen by as many people as possible because when director Jarecki asks American citizens "Why we fight?... Read more ›
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This covers the same ground as many US centric post war analyses of the causes of 9/11 and the consequent response with the invasion of Iraq. It explains its view very well, basing as its premise on the prophetic warnings of Eisenhower's leaving speech in 1961. I have seen stronger (and more extreme) films but the this one sticks to its convincing argument. It is depressing as many people in a so called democracy looked helpessly by as greedy and evil individuals seem to do their will with no come back and certainly no conscience.
The only negative with this film is the repetitive piano 'music' in the backgound which almost drove me to throw the DVD player out the windonw. Can any explain why there seems to be a trend in all flims and TV to have constant music on the background? This acts as a distractor to me.
The only negative with this film is the repetitive piano 'music' in the backgound which almost drove me to throw the DVD player out the windonw. Can any explain why there seems to be a trend in all flims and TV to have constant music on the background? This acts as a distractor to me.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This documentary takes a look at the reasons behind the recent American war in Iraq, drawing on historical parrallels and using a seemingly forgotten speech by Eisenhower, an American hero, where he warned the American people of the threat of a overpowered, overreaching military with strong ties to industry and corporations, and how these intrests can become intertwined.
It draws on a range of contempary interviews with a non partisan list of guests including Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain (i have a new found respect for the man for his insightful and surprisingly frank views on the Military Industrial Complex, and on Donald Rumsfeld!), former CIA agents, Pentagon insiders, New American Century members and historians from a wide range of backgrounds. It uses historical footage and document transcripts to show how military might has been used to expand an American "corporate and economic empire", and how uses it's military to open new free markets to American influence.
What great about it is the strength of the interviews and interviewees and the fact it only reaches it's conclusions towards the end - it is not as in your face as Michael Moore (as much as like his docs) and is more balanced and serious in it's arguments. It does though make for concerning viewing and should serve as a tool to ask the question - What is really happening in the world, and is my government telling me the whole truth, or just their truth?
It draws on a range of contempary interviews with a non partisan list of guests including Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain (i have a new found respect for the man for his insightful and surprisingly frank views on the Military Industrial Complex, and on Donald Rumsfeld!), former CIA agents, Pentagon insiders, New American Century members and historians from a wide range of backgrounds. It uses historical footage and document transcripts to show how military might has been used to expand an American "corporate and economic empire", and how uses it's military to open new free markets to American influence.
What great about it is the strength of the interviews and interviewees and the fact it only reaches it's conclusions towards the end - it is not as in your face as Michael Moore (as much as like his docs) and is more balanced and serious in it's arguments. It does though make for concerning viewing and should serve as a tool to ask the question - What is really happening in the world, and is my government telling me the whole truth, or just their truth?
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By R. Hoffman
Format:DVD
Having grown up in the 60's I was unaware of Eisenhower's prophetic warning in his farewell address, Feb. 1961. One is deeply affected after watching this DVD, with a feeling that The United States needs to be at (make?) war in order to satisfy her corporations, which depend on military conflict in other parts of the world, to keep their business, and the economy of America profitable. An ominous concept indeed!
It is tragic that innocent people in foreign countries are killed and maimed, because America needs to make (the business of) war. This DVD also shows that American exertion in foreign regime change, has much to do with keeping those regions open to American business interests. Perhaps this explains why bin Laden attacks America on 9/11, and the Bush Administration's response was to send in troops to combat Saddam Hussein in Iraq (wrong guy, wrong place). Congress approves and the American public, being fed selective information, patriotcally come along for the ride.
It appears that Eisenhower's warning in 1961 was not heeded. This is an important documentary and should be seen by all who care about America's moral compass.
It is tragic that innocent people in foreign countries are killed and maimed, because America needs to make (the business of) war. This DVD also shows that American exertion in foreign regime change, has much to do with keeping those regions open to American business interests. Perhaps this explains why bin Laden attacks America on 9/11, and the Bush Administration's response was to send in troops to combat Saddam Hussein in Iraq (wrong guy, wrong place). Congress approves and the American public, being fed selective information, patriotcally come along for the ride.
It appears that Eisenhower's warning in 1961 was not heeded. This is an important documentary and should be seen by all who care about America's moral compass.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Why we should fight!
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1.0 out of 5 stars
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