Redacted Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Soldiers make a war movie about the Iraq war using only found footage, and it gets way too real when they accidentally film themselves committing war crimes.

🍿 Redacted: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Alfa Company

The film opens with the introduction of Alfa Company, a unit of U.S. soldiers stationed in Samarra, Iraq, in 2006. The story unfolds through a variety of media: a soldier’s video diary (PFC Angel Salazar), French documentary footage, news reports, and internet blogs, offering different perspectives on the realities of the Iraq War. The soldiers grapple with boredom, fear, and the moral ambiguities of their situation.

Rising Tensions and Checkpoint Incident

Tensions escalate as the soldiers deal with daily life at a checkpoint. A critical incident occurs when a car speeds toward the checkpoint, and the soldiers, misinterpreting the driver’s actions, open fire. This results in the death of a pregnant woman, further fueling the soldiers’ frustrations and anxieties. This event sets a darker tone for the remainder of the film and foreshadows the events to come.

The Horrific Crime

Fueled by alcohol, anger over an extended deployment, and the general chaos of war, two soldiers, Reno Flake and B.B. Rush, decide to take retribution. They break into the home of an Iraqi family and commit a horrific act: the rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl and the killing of her family. Angel Salazar films the events, capturing disturbing footage from a helmet-mounted camera. The act is largely off-screen, but the sound and shaky camera are enough to evoke horror.

Aftermath and Cover-Up

The aftermath of the crime sees the soldiers attempting to cover up their actions. Some members of the unit, particularly SPC Lawyer McCoy, are deeply disturbed by what happened, leading to internal conflict and moral dilemmas. Fear of reprisal keeps many silent, while the film explores the psychological toll of war and the complicity that arises from inaction. The chain of events are fueled by a sense of lawlessness, fuelled by a lack of effective accountability.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Reno Flake (Patrick Carroll): A new, cold-blooded soldier who instigates the raid on the Iraqi family and participates in the horrific crime.
• Angel Salazar (Izzy Diaz): A U.S. soldier and aspiring filmmaker who documents the events with his video camera.
• B.B. Rush (Daniel Stewart Sherman): A soldier who participates with Flake in the rape and murder of the Iraqi girl and her family.
• Lawyer McCoy (Rob Devaney): A soldier who accompanies Flake and Rush, attempting to prevent harm but failing to stop the violence.
• Master Sergeant Sweet (Ty Jones): An experienced and wise sergeant who is later killed, impacting the other soldiers.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Reno Flake: “It’s like fish in a barrel.” – Casually said after shooting at a car with civilians, showing his detachment from the consequences.
• Angel Salazar: “I’m gonna get this on film, man. This is gonna be my ticket to film school.” – Angel recording the happenings, highlighting the detachment from the realities of war.
• Lawyer McCoy: “What the fuck did you guys do?” – Expressing his horror and disbelief after discovering the atrocities committed by his fellow soldiers.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $5,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $65,388
• Worldwide Gross: $784,604

💥 Redacted Reviews

Personal Review

I found ‘Redacted’ to be an incredibly disturbing, yet important film. The way it uses different media formats – the soldier’s video diary, the French documentary, the internet clips – really drives home the point about how information is filtered and manipulated. The ending, with the montage of real war photos, was absolutely gut-wrenching. It’s not an easy watch, and some scenes are hard to stomach, but it definitely made me think about the realities of war in a way that traditional war movies don’t. I think it’s a film everyone should see, even if it’s uncomfortable.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Viewers interested in war dramas”
  • “Fans of Brian De Palma’s work”
  • “Those seeking films that explore the complexities and moral ambiguities of war”
  • “Viewers interested in films that take a critical view of the Iraq War”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Sexual assault”
  • “Disturbing imagery”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “War themes”

Professional Reviews

• Slant Magazine: “De Palma uses a variety of media to convey the horrors of war, creating a chaotic yet compelling experience. The film’s experimental style might not appeal to everyone, but it’s a powerful statement on the Iraq War and media manipulation. A brutal and uncompromising look at the realities of conflict, challenging viewers to confront uncomfortable truths.
• CBR: “This film uses found footage and realistic dialogue to create a disturbing portrayal of soldiers in the Iraq war. While acting is not stellar, this only enhances the realism. A difficult watch, but one that stays with you long after the credits roll.

Audience Reactions

Viewers found the film courageous for addressing difficult truths about the Iraq War.: Many felt the film’s use of mixed media created a realistic and unsettling portrayal of the conflict.

Overall Consensus: A controversial and disturbing film that utilizes a mixed-media approach to explore the harsh realities of the Iraq War, sparking debate about its portrayal of soldiers and its anti-war message.

Awards

1. Venice Film Festival (Silver Lion)- 2007

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is a fictionalized account of the Mahmudiyah rape and killings that occurred in Iraq in 2006.”
• “Brian De Palma used a mixed-media approach, incorporating elements of documentary footage, web videos, and fictional soldier diaries to create a sense of realism and immediacy.”
• “The film’s title, ‘Redacted,’ refers to the censorship and withholding of information during wartime, highlighting the challenges of uncovering the truth in conflict situations.”
• “De Palma has stated that he wanted to explore the impact of war on the soldiers involved and the ethical implications of their actions.”

🖥️ How to Watch Redacted?

As of today, comprehensive legal streaming options for ‘Redacted’ are limited. You can often find it available for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Keep an eye on streaming aggregator sites like JustWatch to see if it becomes available on subscription services.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Redacted, you might like these similar films:

• Casualties of War (1989): Also directed by Brian De Palma, this film explores similar themes of war crimes and the moral conflicts faced by soldiers during the Vietnam War.
• In the Valley of Elah (2007): This film delves into the psychological toll of the Iraq War on soldiers and their families, exploring themes of guilt, trauma, and the search for truth.
• Battle for Haditha (2007): Recreates the Haditha killings incident, similarly using a docudrama style to explore the complexities and consequences of war.
• The Hurt Locker (2008): Presents a raw and intense portrayal of the psychological impact of war on soldiers in Iraq, focusing on a bomb disposal unit.

🛒 Redacted Related Products

• Iraq War Documentary Collection: A collection of documentaries exploring various aspects of the Iraq War, offering diverse perspectives and insights into the conflict.
• Military Camcorder: A rugged and durable camcorder designed for military use, capable of capturing high-quality footage in challenging environments.
• War Movie Memorabilia: A curated collection of posters, props, and other memorabilia from classic and contemporary war movies, celebrating the genre.
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: A video game recreating a modern, hyper-realistic conflict.

🎧 Soundtrack

Redacted features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Voice of a Gun” – performed by Erin O’Hara & Tony Shanahan

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

REDACTED – ralphthemoviemaker

Want a deep dive into ‘Redacted’ and its controversial themes? RalphTheMovieMaker’s review is a must-watch; he really breaks down the film’s strengths and weaknesses in a way that makes you think differently about it!

If REDACTED took place at McDonald’s

Ever wonder what ‘Redacted’ would be like if it happened at a McDonald’s? This short parody is hilarious and kinda spot-on; it’s a quick, fun watch to lighten the mood after the intensity of the film!

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