Body of War (2007)

Body of War (2007)
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On September 13, 2001 -- a mere two days after the 9/11 attacks -- Tomas Young, a Kansan with an overwhelming sense of patriotism and loyalty to his country, felt moved to enlist in the United States Armed Forces. Equipped with the courage to fight and rid the world of the threat of terror, Young anticipated an appointment in Afghanistan that would enable him to join his fellow soldiers in rooting out and bringing to justice Al-Qaeda operatives. This did not occur, however, and President Bush's order to invade Iraq stunned everyone, including Tomas. He soon found himself shuttled off to a land that posed no obvious threat to the United States, where he was instantly struck by a bullet from behind -- and rendered both paraplegic for life and unconscious. Airlifted home, Tomas slowly regained awareness of himself and his surroundings, settling in for a long, grueling recovery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in the nation's capital, with the assistance and loving support of his mother. But the young man's journey did not end there. As he lay in his hospital bed, unable to move, Tomas learned of the countless injuries and deaths afflicting hundreds of thousands in Iraq. In the process, he became one of the nation's most ardent opponents of the Iraq invasion. With their nonfiction work Body of War, longtime television pundit Phil Donahue and documentarian Ellen Spiro join forces to relay Tomas' heart-wrenching and yet deeply affirming story -- both a testament to one man's enduring inner strength and a towering condemnation of a localized conflict that owes much, if not everything, to the miscalculation and intrusion of the United States. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

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Starring:
Tomas YoungBrie Townsend, (more)
Director(s):
Phil DonahueEllen Spiro, (more)
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
NR
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of Body of War

On September 13, 2001 -- a mere two days after the 9/11 attacks -- Tomas Young, a Kansan with an overwhelming sense of patriotism and loyalty to his country, felt moved to enlist in the United States Armed Forces. Equipped with the courage to fight and rid the world of the threat of terror, Young anticipated an appointment in Afghanistan that would enable him to join his fellow soldiers in rooting out and bringing to justice Al-Qaeda operatives. This did not occur, however, and President Bush's order to invade Iraq stunned everyone, including Tomas. He soon found himself shuttled off to a land that posed no obvious threat to the United States, where he was instantly struck by a bullet from behind -- and rendered both paraplegic for life and unconscious. Airlifted home, Tomas slowly regained awareness of himself and his surroundings, settling in for a long, grueling recovery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in the nation's capital, with the assistance and loving support of his mother. But the young man's journey did not end there. As he lay in his hospital bed, unable to move, Tomas learned of the countless injuries and deaths afflicting hundreds of thousands in Iraq. In the process, he became one of the nation's most ardent opponents of the Iraq invasion. With their nonfiction work Body of War, longtime television pundit Phil Donahue and documentarian Ellen Spiro join forces to relay Tomas' heart-wrenching and yet deeply affirming story -- both a testament to one man's enduring inner strength and a towering condemnation of a localized conflict that owes much, if not everything, to the miscalculation and intrusion of the United States. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
87 mins

Complete Cast of Body of War


Director(s):
Phil DonahueEllen Spiro
Producer(s):
Phil DonahueEllen Spiro
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
NR
Categories:
Documentary
Body of War Awards:
  • 2007 - National Board of Review - Best Documentary
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Laurie K.

An excellent documentary. Some may think it is propaganda, but this opens our eyes to what has happened to the constitution in today's world. In my opinion, the Bush government used propaganda in a very dangerous manner.

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Linda D.

"In no part of the Constitution is more wisdom to be found, than in the clause which confides the question of war or peace to the legislature, and not to the executive department." ~ James Madison The movie opens on that quote and features a young man named Thomas Young who was injured on his 5th day in Iraq. He comes home with a spinal-chord injury. His daily life and struggles there-in caused by the damage the war had done to his body are highlighted to emphasis why this had to happen. I'm going to quote my own favorite movie critic here on this: ""Body of War" again demonstrates that we Americans still have some bitter truths to face. Not only was 9/11 a day that will live in infamy, but our mistakes nearly every day since then have perpetuated and compounded the darkness." ~ Robert Ebert

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Mark B.

Excellent documentary - regardless of your political leanings or thoughts of the war. I must admit that I was sceptical when I saw it was directed by Phil Donahue, who I don't always see eye to eye politically, but definitely worth watching. I really felt for the young man portrayed in the documentary. He is a brave & admirable young man.

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