Warfare

[Cholmondely Percival IV]

Some may have already seen the trailer - or even the film itself - but the following review may nevertheless be of interest:

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/apr/15/warfare-realistic-war-film

In case it needs stressing, my reason for bringing attention to this is not to invite debate on the rights and wrongs of the Iraq War - though these are inevitably raised in the review - but because of the film's attempt to depict the soldiers' experience
 in the midst of combat as accurately as possible.

[Inkpaduta]

Heard it was based on personal accounts. That could help things.
Would likely watch it on streaming.

[Rick]

Heard it was based on personal accounts. That could help things.
Would likely watch it on streaming.

It's written and directed by the central character, with additional material by the men in his unit, so it seems to stand a good chance at an accurate account. Some of the so-called 'based on personal accounts' films have been so heavily altered and 'sexed up' by studios that they bear little relation to what happened. This might definitely be one to watch.

[Aethelflaeda was framed]

‘Ballroom’ accounts are still going to get questioned.

[Rick]

‘Ballroom’ accounts are still going to get questioned.

Well, yes, and if you ask 3 eye-witnesses about an incident you'll get 3 different versions of events. But, bearing that in mind, this film seems to have far more control by the people who were there than is usually the case.

[HerbertTarkel]

It’s had pretty good reviews here in Canada. Lots of jargon to satisfy the people who understand, the one reviewer was bewildered by some common lingo 

[SJWi]

Very good reviews in the UK so far.  Even my wife has asked if I will be going to see it with my mates .She has declined to come with me.

[AKULA]

Thanks, will give it a look

 

[mikedemana]

Three wargamer friends and I went to see it four days ago. I enjoyed it. Think Black Hawk Down, but scaled back. Much smaller operation, but still that "mission gone wrong" vibe. Similar very loud scene performing first aid on a severely injured soldier.

I enjoyed it, though. I had never read accounts of a mission with so many Navy SEALS deployed in one spot, though. So, that was an eye opener. Using a Bradley Fighting vehicle as a medevac in urban warfare was also a new one to me, though I possibly had read of this before and just not remembered it. The "show of force" by jet fighters was new to me, as well.

Without giving anything away, you definitely get the feeling at the end: "And what was the point of that mission...?" Perhaps that was the goal of the film makers. Perhaps it was simply me being the armchair commander doing a post-mission analysis.

Still, I would recommend going to see it. Definitely violent and bloody, so don't take the wifey or girlfriend unless she's fine with that kind of stuff. 

Mike Demana

[Rick]

Mike, with 20/20 hindsight there are a great many military missions that come under the heading of: "well it probably seemed like a good idea at the time - you had to be there."