Watch Combat Obscura

Combat Obscura is a gritty and raw documentary that takes a deep dive into the lives of the young Marines stationed in Afghanistan. The movie is shot entirely on a hand-held camera, which provides an unfiltered look at the day-to-day realities of war. The film was directed by Miles Lagoze, a former Marine who served in Afghanistan. Lagoze's experience as a Marine gives him a unique perspective on the war, and he uses this perspective to create a documentary that is both honest and heartbreaking.

The film begins with footage of Marines preparing for deployment. We see them saying goodbye to their families, preparing their gear, and boarding planes. Lagoze's camera captures the nervous energy and the excitement of the young Marines as they embark on their mission.

Once in Afghanistan, Lagoze's camera follows the Marines as they conduct patrols, interact with locals, and engage in combat. The footage is unscripted and unedited, which gives the viewer a sense of being there on the front lines with the Marines.

Throughout the film, Lagoze's camera captures the camaraderie among the Marines. We see them joking around, sharing stories, and supporting each other. These moments of levity are a welcome respite from the intensity of the combat footage.

The film also provides a window into the lives of the Afghan people. We see the Marines interacting with locals, both in friendly and hostile situations. The footage shows the complexity of the relationship between the Americans and the Afghans, and the challenges that come with operating in a foreign country.

One of the most striking aspects of Combat Obscura is the way it portrays the violence of war. The footage is graphic and unflinching, which can be difficult to watch at times. Lagoze captures scenes of wounded Marines being treated, as well as the aftermath of bombings and other attacks. These moments are a sobering reminder of the toll that war takes on both the soldiers and the civilians caught in the crossfire.

Despite the brutality of the footage, Combat Obscura manages to avoid glorifying violence. The movie is not an action movie; it is a documentary about the realities of war. The violence is shown in context, as part of a larger story about the experiences of the Marines in Afghanistan.

One of the most impressive aspects of the film is its editing. The footage was shot over the course of several months, and Lagoze had over 500 hours of footage to work with. Despite this daunting task, he managed to create a cohesive and compelling narrative that doesn't drag on or feel repetitive.

The movie's sound design is also worth mentioning. In addition to the sounds of combat, Lagoze incorporates ambient sounds from the environment, such as birds chirping and children playing. This attention to detail makes the movie feel more immersive and gives the viewer a sense of being there with the Marines.

Overall, Combat Obscura is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that provides a rare glimpse into the realities of war. The movie is not for the faint of heart, but it is an important film that raises important questions about the cost of war and the experiences of soldiers on the front lines.

Combat Obscura is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 10 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 56.