Watch Only The Dead

Only The Dead is a gripping and intense war documentary film that was directed by Michael Ware and Bill Guttentag. Released in 2015, the film follows the journey of an Australian journalist named Michael Ware, who covers the war in Iraq, and his personal quest to understand the motivations of Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, the founder of Al-Qaeda in Iraq.

The movie is a blend of documentary footage and prose, told from the viewpoint of Ware, who lived through the war, and was embedded with US forces during the 2003 US invasion of Iraq. It takes the viewer on a harrowing journey through the front lines of the conflict, showcasing the horrors of war through Ware's unflinching lens. The film intersperses his footage with interviews with both soldiers and militants, as well as archival footage of Al-Zarqawi.

Throughout the film, Ware provides insightful analysis of Al-Zarqawi's psychology and modus operandi, presenting him as a force of pure evil, driven by a desire for power and a fanatical devotion to extreme Islamic fundamentalism. The documentary also presents an unflinching look at the U.S. military's response to the insurgency, showcasing the brutality and chaos that dominated the region during the war.

Despite the film's deeply visceral and intense nature, it also has a deeply personal aspect. Ware's journey towards understanding the motivations and reasoning of Al-Zarqawi is a slow burn, and this introspective process is carefully woven into the narrative of the film. Along the way, we see Ware recount the emotional toll the war has taken on him, as he struggles to come to terms with what he has seen and experienced. This personal narrative lends an added layer of emotional depth to the film, and it makes it easier for viewers to connect with Ware.

One of the film's standout moments is the inclusion of footage captured by Al-Zarqawi's own cameraman, which showcases the brutal tactics of the insurgency, including the beheading of hostages. This footage is graphic and disturbing, and it creates a sense of visceral horror that is hard to shake. The brutality of Al-Zarqawi's tactics is made all the more chilling by Ware's commentary, which meticulously dissects the motives behind these atrocities.

Another strength of Only The Dead is its cinematography. The documentary footage shot by Ware is stunning, showcasing the beauty and devastation of the Iraqi landscape. From wide shots of bombed-out buildings to close-ups of wounded soldiers, the film does an excellent job of capturing both the scale and the human impact of the conflict. The use of music is also well-done, with the score adding an added layer of emotion to the film's more poignant moments.

Overall, Only The Dead is a sobering and thought-provoking film that offers a unique insight into the Iraq War. Ware's personal journey, combined with the documentary footage and commentary, creates a film that is both compelling and deeply emotional. This is not a movie for the faint of heart, but for those who are willing to confront the realities of war, it is a powerful and essential watch.

Only The Dead is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 17 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7.