Standard Operating Procedure (2008)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Errol Morris

Release Date:

29 May 2008 (Germany)

Genre:

Documentary | Crime | War

Tagline:

The War on Terror will be photographed

Plot:

Errol Morris examines the incidents of abuse and torture of suspected terrorists at the hands of U.S. forces at the Abu Ghraib prison. |

Plot Keywords:

Corpse | Female Soldier | Prisoner | Guantanamo Bay | 2000s

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Christopher Bradley	...	MP Frost
Sarah Denning	...	M.P. Harman
Joshua Feinman	...	MP Elliot
Jeff L. Green	...	M.P. Catthcart
Merry Grissom	...	Interrogator
Roy Halo	...	Gus
Cyrus King	...	M.P. Berryhill
Daniel Novy	...	Frederick
Zhubin Rahbar	...	Manadel al-Jamadi
Shaun Russell	...	Military Intelligence
Combiz Shams	...	Iraqi Detainee

Also Known As:

S.O.P.: Standard Operating Procedure (USA) (working title)
Untitled Errol Morris/Abu Ghraib Project (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for disturbing images and content involving torture and graphic nudity, and for language.

Runtime:

116 min | Germany:118 min (Berlin International Film Festival)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A (British Columbia/Ontario) | Australia:MA | Germany:18 | UK:15

Company:

Participant Productions

Trivia:

First documentary ever to be nominated for the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival (2008).

Go see it.

I recommend this film for viewing. The film maker was able to obtain direct interviews with some of the soldiers involved in this chapter of American history. I don't think it's unfair to say that it is an important record concerning the events at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq during the American occupation. As such, it should be viewed by anyone interested in this subject.

I credit the film maker with allowing the soldiers involved to present some part of their story and also allowing one soldier to point out that only soldiers at lower levels would suffer prosecution.

The film would be better if it addressed the White House's views on torture and the legal documents giving rise to the same. Also, the film should have presented more opinions from the legal community regarding accepted standards of care for prisoners, prisoners of war, enemy combatants and the like.

Nonetheless, I found the film informative. I would not classify most documentaries as objective, and therefore, I don't mind the slanted view on the screen, but as far as film goes, the film maker did try to give the soldiers some opportunity to tell their story -- and their side of the story (that superiors were responsible for the policy) has some merit.

I'm saddened that these events were committed by Americans. As one of the soldiers pointed out – others actions have occurred that are more troubling – but nobody took pictures.

We as citizens of the US rely on our elected representatives to direct the foreign affairs of our country. Our Congress has oversight authority concerning these matters. Don't give up on the American system.

I did chuckle at the score during the human pyramid scene – truly stuporous.