Une traque américaine: Oussama Ben Laden

As a documentary filmmaker myself that loves soaking up the genre, I was totally absorbed by American Manhunt: The Search for Osama bin Laden. It's a masterclass in storytelling - seamlessly blending an engaging, complex narrative and world class production techniques that feels both cinematic and deeply informative.

The level of detail and cohesion across such an immense body of material is extraordinary. From the tragedy of 9/11 to the final raid, the series unpacks the manhunt with precision, clarity, and tension. The edit is tight, the cast of interviewees is extensive and well-chosen, and the tone is pitch-perfect throughout.

This is high-calibre documentary work - a triumph of structure, research and emotional weight. Huge respect to everyone involved. If you appreciate exceptional documentary craft, this one deserves a spot high on your list.

First few insights from my reading on the subject. The aftermath of the Soviet retreat from Afghanistan was a pivotal moment in history. And as a result of failure to fully grasp the power of religion in the region by the western world, the period that followed was rather a prelude to more significant events.

In late 1980s, various terrorist groups emerged, including Hamas, Hezbollah and the Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in Palestine and Lebanon. Osama bin Laden, a prominent figure, opposed Western cultural influence and dominance. When US troops were sent to Saudi Arabia after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, Bin Laden claimed that the US aimed to seize Muslim holy lands and exploit the region's oil and wealth. His activities took him to Sudan where the government offered to hand him over to the US, but the US declined!!!! He later returned to Afghanistan where he formed alliances with groups like the Taliban. The Taliban took control of Afghanistan, implementing Sharia law and bringing an end to the civil war albeit with a strict and austere form of peace.

On the 8th anniversary of US troops deploying in Saudi Arabia, bin Laden orchestrated simultaneous attacks on US embassies in East Africa.

And then in 2001, the US invaded Afghanistan, and the Taliban regime was toppled. However, bin Laden escaped to Tora Bora, where US forces failed to capture or kill him despite having intelligence suggesting he was hiding there.

Years later on May 2, 2011, during the Obama presidency, US Navy SEALs carried out Operation Neptune Spear, resulting in bin Laden's death. The US Navy's SEAL Team Six along with a support team, infiltrated Abbottabad, Pakistan, where bin Laden was hiding. The operation was carried out with precision and bravery, as the team navigated the compound and neutralized any threats. It was a masterclass in teamwork and execution that included the skill and control displayed by the pilot, who executed a controlled crash landing in the compound, allowing the SEALs to deploy quickly and safely. The success of the operation was a result of meticulous planning, precise execution and the unwavering commitment of the team.

This documentary provides a gripping and detailed account of the complex history surrounding Osama bin Laden and the US military's efforts to capture or kill him. It sheds light on key events. It is a heart-pumping, real-life thriller that drops one right into the CIA's most intense decade-long pursuit. With a perfect blend of gritty reenactments, archival footages, gripping interviews and less known intel, this series gives an unfiltered look at the cat-and-mouse game that defined the times that most of us have lived in.

I found it more ardeljne pumped than a Hollywood action movie. The tension, the frustration and the ultimate triumph esp in the concluding episode will keep you on edge of the seat.. Well-paced, engaging, thought-provoking exploration of one of the most significant manhunts in modern history.

This is an excellent documentary. 3 episodes that pull you in immediately. Never boring. Never repetitive. Astonishing revelations and seamless editing.

The interviews are incredible. Listening to the CIA operatives and other people in the Bush and Obama administrations who gave years and years of their lives to bring justice to the victims and their families is almost a religious experience.

This is storytelling at its finest.

Of course the one interview that will stand out is that with the SEAL Team 6 member. The last 30 minutes of the 3rd episode are absolutely gripping. I was left in awe that the impossible was accomplished. I am left with images I will never forget.

But perhaps even more riveting are the CIA operatives and analysts. We get an in depth look into their jobs and their lives, their fears and hopes. You get the sense that they were never the same after what they went through.

I think I had forgotten this manhunt. And clearly what I remembered of it was minimal. I still remember the day the towers fell but I had forgotten the level of national anguish we experienced. The first episode, as it sets the stage for the documentary, reminds us of this.

The very end of the last episode is cautionary. Did the U. S. win the battle, but Osama win the war? That's the question we are left with.

Recommended. Ten stars.

Disappointed that the "reviews" are just people's political views depending on their personal beliefs rather than a review of the actual source material.

*Was this well made? Yes.

*Is it 100% factually accurate? No.

*Is there a little extra propaganda from a certain angle? Yes.

*Is it complete garbage just because it doesn't fit a viewer's personal beliefs? No.

*Is anything surrounding politics and war ever simply black and white? H*LL NO!

Watch it if you're interested but also do your own research instead of just believing what you are spoon fed regardless of where you happen to call home.

It's funny to see people calling out the 'Bias' in the making of this docu-series. First of all, I really want to clarify that 9/11 happened in their soil. Although there were (and are) subsequent attacks later, this is their version of the truth. Their sentiments, their emotions, and their story of victory.

History is written by the victors. Let's keep that in mind. This series did justice to the events completely and anyone with a far cry of their own version of the truth that they got bits and pieces of, sitting wherever they are, snuggled up, watching/reading everything on 9/11 from various sources, are still far-removed from the ones who witnessed and were in front of the line fighting / making decisions whether on ground or from behind a desk.

I thoroughly enjoyed this POV from National Security, CIA and govt. Officials as these are the ones who don't usually comment but are always commented on! I think Netflix did a really good job capturing their emotions and statements well (Except that sorority lady who annoyed tf out of me with her self-praise).

That being said, a tragedy can have infinite POVs and someone who is truly unbiased would love exploring it all, from different angles, and Netflix brought us one such valuable angle. The ones that have rated this less are the biased ones and that's the irony.