La bataille de Bassora

Tony Marchant's film 'The Mark of Cain' tells three stories: that of the impossible task facing British soldiers in Iraq; that of the terrible cruelties they inflicted on Iraqi suspects; and that of a cover-up in the chain of command. The story is fictional but based on true events; however, there's less evidence in the real world for the cover-up than for the other two elements, and while it seems plausible, this aspect of the tale feels more "written" than the other two. And as always with Marchant, there's a careful and clever manipulation of the viewer's sympathies throughout: I never quite feel that Marchant gives me the space to form my own opinion. But it's strong stuff, well-performed and unflinching, even if it doesn't really say much in the end except that bad things happen in war.

This isn't a war film per se, but rather a film about the conflict between loyalty and morality. The question is where do you draw the line between loyalty to the regiment and the morality of your actions? This film is powerful stuff but I can't help but feel that this film is somehow unrepresentative of the British Army in Iraq. I have to say that it has left a rather foul taste in my mouth, but this may well be down to my refusal to think about the examples of brutality in custody that have taken place rather than the film's depiction of those crimes. So in regards to the effectiveness of the film at portraying its subject the film is most effective. The acting is strong throughout as is the cinematography and the sparse soundtrack. I won't watch it again as I have nothing further to gain from it. I think, in retrospect that it is still too recent an event to gain any further wisdom from. Although it is not 'based on true events' there have been instances of abuse that have culminated in criminal cases. But would we gain anything from watching a feature film about the abuses at Abu Grahib only three years after the events?

A seemingly accurate portrait of the British Army immiediately post combat, but drawn into the turbulence of post war Iraq, with the start of sectarian fighting, and bombings.

Based on the experiences of two young lads, and their squad, in Basra in 2003, after the fall of Saddam Hussein, and the legacy as they return home.

Many people may find the home scenes just as poignant as the Iraq scenes. An interesting angle on how young people often try to block out negative thinking.

There are many moral issues to be drawn from this film. Recommended.

Alright . I have just finished watching the movie, and I am glad we finally got something showing the real thing of whats going on in Iraq. Can I say the movie is real ? No, because in fact its showing the tiniest part of reality; as Iraqis are not only tortured as the movie shows, they are killed tens of times while they're alive, not to mention the crimes of chastity, which Muslims protect most, through the liberation troops' sexual assaults of Iraqi girls, particularly before their fathers or brothers, or husbands.

One thing is important, and the movie suffers because of it, is not having subtitles. Indeed British English is hardly understandably, and the more important is the Arabic spoken by locals, as the Arabic speeches during the movie are very important to understand what is going on, and basically, you would not recognize how much the locals involved in the movie's plot suffer, unless you understand what is said by them.

Thanx for the creators .. of course a very good movie , fair and just

A story based on fact, really well depicted. Fundamentally, the film looks at the way humans behave (savagely) when seemingly normal people are put into Highly abnormal situations and the lengths to which humans will go to fit in. If you have a strong stomach for the most demeaning kind of violence portrayed on film then this is a must watch movie. An excellent film, moving and provoking. At the time of writing this review, we had already watched this movie 6 times since it´s release in 2007. Would we watch it again, absolutely.