Warriors - L'impossible mission

...and the rest of America will realize it if it is ever seen on American television. Where is PBS when you need them most? BBC America has shown this several times, without their usual commercial interruption (which should give some indication of the respect they hold for this drama), but unfortunately not many cable systems offer BBC America. PBS is dropping the ball by not picking this up for the rest of the United States to view. The writing, acting, and production values are all excellent. If only people knew what they were missing.

I could give a description of what it feels like to watch this. But I won't, since there are no words fit to describe the utter madness of war depicted here. Go see it and think about it. You might end up hating yourself for being part of this world we created.But if there is a slight chance flicks like these could make a difference......who knows. Deeply impressive. I am Dutch by origin so I may not be able to choose he right words, but I have talked to friends of mine who were there, and according to them, it comes close to how it really was. And it damaged them. I must pay my deepest respect towards the cast and directors,who did one hell of a job. I also recommend Savior. That flick takes the madness one step further, but I was not able to sit that one out 'till the end.

This film shows the BBC at its best, with great acting, harrowing scenes and touching moments.

I notice that some of the comments suggest that it is anti-Serb. Well, some of the "baddies" are Croat. (The scene with the lorry-load of bodies near the end of the Bosnia scenes is a case in point.)

Perhaps it's pro-Muslim, but I think anyone watching it will realize that it is not a "goodies" and "baddies" film.

Does the film advocate military intervention on a grand scale? No.

Does it show the futility of delivering food parcels to people who are about to be massacred? Yes.

There are no easy answers to the questions asked by this film. You should watch it and remember that this all happened in a "civilized" European country, just a few years ago.

The evil shown is not Serb or Croat or Muslim evil. The evil is hate, that betrays God.

At our church, a visiting priest explained that he would not be visiting again for a few months, because he is an army chaplain and his unit was off to Kosovo. Kosovo is a different fall-out from Yugoslavia, but, having seen this film, I prayed long and hard for him.

Don't miss it and be prepared to be upset.

Warriors is a drama, but every incident you see in it is factual. The makers interviewed Infantry soldiers from UNPROFOR1 (The Cheshire Regiment) and UNPROFOR2 (The Prince Of Wales Own Yorkshire Regiment).

The MoD gave the makers permission to approach soldiers who had been involved in incidents so that they could replicate them for the screen, along with what the soldier's were actually thinking and feeling at the time.

A lot of incidents were rejected on the grounds that they would not be believed by the viewing public or were just to 'bloody'.

In addition, soldiers helped the actors wear their equipment properly, act properly etc.

How do I know this? Two of the incidents depicted I was involved in. I was in the Cheshire Regiment. I have since testified in 2 war crimes trials at the Hague.

No matter what you think, believe me it was far worse than what you see. You only see it, you don't smell it.

To this day (2007) most of us that were their in that first year still have a feeling that somehow we failed those poor people and our politicians were weak.

It is very, very well made and very, very realistic as to what it was like.

I, have to emphasis that, I was not in Bosnia during the wartime. But because we lived in the same state for a long time I can say that I have a good historical overview and a lot of informations from all sides involved in war in Bosnia. On that basis I think the movie is good representation of real event. It is also very good antiwar movie.

I can imagine that Serbs wont like the movie, but they have to face the truth. Sooner they realize the truth better for them and for development of their nation. The fact that all sides did war crimes is not of big help here. The fact is that pictures, like in movie, were the most common, and you have to remember who started the blood spilling and genocide. But remember it is not about people but politics who manipulate with masses. The people are the same everywhere you go; bad and good and mostly inbetween. The role of international community and UNPROFOR in Bosnia was very questionable. They let the killing of innocents before their eyes and did nothing. Even more, the UN people turned into a corrupted band who struggled only for surviving, earning money and promotions. Even on highest levels. Just remember one French general.

But like I said the people are good and bad. So I can imagine that some soldiers had a real problems with facing the unjustice and horror supported from international community.

I saw yesterday on Monte Negro TV a prewar speech from president of Bosnia,

Alija Izetbegovic who said: " Bad negotations are better then a good war." Congratulations to Monte Negro TV for independent standpoint with presentations of former enemies and to mr. Izetbegovic for a clever thought. Too bad they all did not take this idea seriously.

One more. Yesterday at night I saw this movie on Pink TV. Yes, on Serbian TV! The things are changing. Congratulations!!!

With all respect on victims on all sides.