Gunner Palace
User Score
8.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 17
  3. Negative: 1 out of 17

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  1. violetl.
    Mar 7, 2005
    10
    Images burned on my retina; powerful; unassuming; lets the soldiers tell their own truth!
  2. JeffL.
    Apr 16, 2005
    10
    Most people, if you ask them, will tell you that they "support the troops." The exact depth of their support may vary, but is usually characterized by their display of yellow ribbons, flag pins, and bumper stickers. The filmmakers of Gunner Palace - Michael Tucker and Petra Epperlein, co-directing their first feature - show their support of the troops in a far more tangible, meaningful, and poignant manner: by giving the soldiers themselves the opportunity to tell their own stories. The film portrays several months in the lives of soldiers stationed in the converted ruins of what was once Uday Hussain's obscenely opulent Baghdad palace, complete with fully stocked fishing pond, huge swimming pool, ballrooms, and a comically over-the-top bedroom that would embarass Austin Powers. With an immediacy rarely captured in other war films (even documentaries) we watch the soldiers carry out raids on suspected terrorists, attempt to train Iraqi security forces, interact with the locals (some of whom are highly sympathetic, others quite hostile), and blow off steam with the occasional (alcohol-free) pool party. The film doesn't wear any political agenda on its sleeve, with names like Bush and Rumsfeld only occasionally coming up in conversation. There is actually a surprising amount of dark, boisterous, profane humor on display, as the soldiers rely on gallows humor to cope with their often depressing or terrifying situations (of course the best fictional war films, like Altman's MASH and Coppola's Apolcalypse Now are often infused with dark, absurdist comedy.) There is also a lot of music, with many of the young soldiers using rap to vividly and eloquently express their feelings and relay their experiences. Regardless of how you personally feel about the war in Iraq, you owe it to these young men and women to look at this film, get to know them as individuals, and listen to their stories. Then maybe that bumper sticker on the back of the pickup (or Volvo) will take on a whole new meaning for you.… Expand
  3. winstons.
    Mar 7, 2005
    10
    Great film.
  4. RichH.
    Mar 7, 2005
    10
    Viewing Gunner Palace was a powerful experience for me. I feel it gave me an understanding of the reality of this war that I haven't gotten from any other source, certainly not from the news. I came away with a deepened appreciation of what is required of our soldiers - we ask more of them than most realize. Although I oppose the war and the way it was sold to us, I honor those who are willing to sacrifice so much on our behalf. And I honor Michael Tucker's audacity and courage that allowed him to make this film.… Expand
  5. SterlingO.
    Mar 7, 2005
    10
    Great, intense, must see documentary.
  6. lanaw.
    Mar 7, 2005
    10
    Moving, compassionate, a must see!
  7. GehrigL.
    Mar 9, 2005
    10
    I saw this in Toronto and was blown away by the film makers "style" and approach. I'm a film maker so I look with an anamorphic eye and was very Pleased by Mike's approach and edit. This is what starts discussion and hope it continues to do so.
  8. PatrickP.
    Mar 7, 2005
    10
    I had the privilege of seeing the premier of Gunner Palace this past weekend at the Angelica Theater in New York City. This is one of the most truthful documentaries of the war on Iraq! As an American who has a brother that served 14 months in Iraq, I can attest that every day I looked for an email, or waited for a phone call. Everyday I watched CNN or Fox News to see if anything bad, or good, had happened in his sector of Baghdad. I watched my mother and father cry out of joy when my brother returned home, safe and sound. I also read the paper when attackers killed 150 Iraqi soldiers, men who are trying to work to stabilize their own country so that they may have it back, and it wasn… Expand
  9. RichP.
    Mar 7, 2005
    10
    It would be great to say that there are some great people fighting to defend their Country. But they are not defending their country and they know it. They are fighting for a lost cause and this fantastic documentary shows that the soldiers who fight in ANY war deserve respect, whether you agree with the politic or not.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
70 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 33
  3. Negative: 1 out of 33
  1. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    30
    Gunner Palace too often makes the grunts look like mean slackers -- precisely the opposite, one presumes, of what was intended.
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  2. Rolling Stone
    Reviewed by: Peter Travers
    88
    A riveting and indispensable record of the war in Iraq because it comes from the men who lived it.
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  3. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Scott Tobias
    70
    For the soldiers, it's about living to see the next day and living with the things they see, and Gunner Palace honors their perspective like no other Iraq documentary has to date.
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