Only the Dead

Fascinating, confronting, gritty documentary.

A documentary on the Iraq War of 2003 and its aftermath made by Australian journalist Michael Ware. Ware, a journalist with Time magazine, spent seven years in Iraq, from the 2003 invasion onwards. Only The Dead is a video compilation of his experiences in Iraq and, in particular, the rise of Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, the radical terrorist leader. Through becoming acquainted with another insurgent group, Ware was provided with video material from that group as well as Al-Zarqawi's group.

Incredibly powerful footage, certainly not the kind of stuff you see on the news or in war films. Very real and confronting and some of the most accurate captures of war you'll ever see.

The history of Al-Zarqawi is quite interesting too, and Ware's rare, terrorist-provided, footage gives a searing insight into events involving him and life in Iraq at that time. On the negative side, Ware's fascination with Al-Zarqawi does border on reverence at times.

Another negative involves the last few scenes. Here Ware tries to make a philosophical point out of the war and its effects on people, soldiers especially, but misses the mark. His comments on the final scene are quite empty, idealistic and naive. Even more, they smack of him trying to create controversy out of US soldiers simply doing their jobs in a war zone.

That took the shine off what was otherwise an incredible movie.

'Time' magazine reporter Michael Ware was sent to Iraq in 2003 to cover the allies take down of Saddam Hussein. The Americans made short work of getting to Baghdad and toppling the regime. In the power vacuum that was created many factions emerged with differing and often extremist ideologies and soon insurrection became rife.

Ware was keen to see the war from both sides and went out of his way to contact the insurgents. This he was able to do after gaining the trust of a number of players. He was then used to 'promote' videos of their attacks and other deeds. He soon became involved with one of the most brutal of these insurgents - Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi. In this film he chronicles what he did in a linear format which also relates how the conflict grew and developed, this goes on for some seven years.

The footage is often extremely upsetting; showing the aftermath of suicide bombings, torture and beheadings. He has managed to get some very gritty footage and he did put his personal safety on the line on more than one occasion. The question that is left slightly hanging is whether he was abetting their crimes or merely reporting what occurred. He does mention the ethical conflict but some will find it inadequate. However, that is not the point of the film. This is a true account of what one man did in a war that many will say was totally unjustified. I found it upsetting, moving, heart breaking, visceral and sad. This is a film you will not be able to say you 'liked', it is a film that people should see, the true face of war is often air brushed by the media – this is anything but and as such is a film I can recommend.

Let's keep this simple, if you're squeamish don't watch this. If you're judgemental of people don't watch this.

Using live footage the journalist goes deep into Iraq revealing footage never seen before received directly from Nationalists and then terrorists.

He express the emotions of the soldiers and himself a very do and meaningful way that makes him question himself hence my comments about being judgemental.

Sit down, don't get distracted and be ready

I Have just returned from seeing this little gem.

This is the most confronting doco I have ever seen. However, every person in what we like to call 'The West' needs to see this film. Every politician who sends our youth to war, every person who denies entry to asylum seekers from war-torn Iraq (and its neighbours), and every person who has an opinion about our 'invasion' of Iraq.

We all know Michael Ware, that crazy Australian CNN reporter who was in the thick of it. I think Michael will excuse my use of 'crazy' because without these men and women who act as correspondents in war, we would never have perspectives not filtered by our governments.

Ware returned from 7 years in Iraq with over 300 hours of tapes from a handicam that he described tonight in person at the screening as his notebook for his writing. This is his 'accidental documentary'.

In this doco we see the fresh-faced Ware in Iraq just before the 2003 invasion. We see him as he becomes the favoured news outlet for the emerging group that would become Islamic State. We see him question himself, how dark the human mind can become and how desensitisation goes hand-in-hand with warfare. We see the fresh- faced young Americans who have been thrust into this warzone as little more that teenagers (and some still are). We see the tragedy for the people of Iraq. Then we see the conclusion that tests our humanity and how we see others. It will shake you.

Take a deep breath, buy a ticket and prepare to never be the same (but I think for the better).

Thanks Michael :)

Filled with footage that can only be described as incredible, as a viewer I found myself absolutely glued to the screen from start to finish.

This documentary shows a very raw viewpoint of the Iraq War and gives an insight into the filmaker and his motivations who put himself in such grave danger to acquire footage that is nothing short of remarkable.

One of the more interesting shots near the start of the documentary is narrated by the filmaker who explains this is the first time he captured anything on video, and that over the course of the next few years he would capture hundreds of hours of footage on what he describes as a beat up handycam.

Another notable points is the filmakers decision to show his team on the documentary, crediting the team (most of whom are local people) for their efforts shows that not every citizen of the country is an enemy of the west, something I wish other media covering the war would stress.

There are scenes that are difficult to watch but I am glad they are included, I would say that is one of the strong points of this documentary, as this gives a very authentic feel to the footage.