Dirty Wars

Name: Dirty Wars
Genre: Drama, Documentary
Released: June 7, 2013
Duration: 87 min
Rating: 76
Cast: Jeremy Scahill

2013

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 18 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 28 Ratings

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8.2

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8.2	User Score Universal acclaim based on 28 Ratings

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Dirty Wars

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Movie Details & Credits

IFC Films | Release Date: June 7, 2013 | Not Rated

Starring: Jeremy Scahill

Summary: Investigative journalist Jeremy Scahill is pulled into a surprising journey as he chases down the hidden truth behind America's expanding covert wars.

Director: Rick Rowley

Genre(s): Drama, Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 87 min

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Awards & Rankings

81	#81 Best Movie of 2013

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Peter Rainer

Jun 7, 2013

I wish Rowley didn’t so often dabble in standard movie-thriller-style stylistics, but his film is an exposé of practices that need – demand – exposing. Read full review

Michael O'Sullivan

Jun 14, 2013

The film is a documentary, pure and simple. But the movie, by director Rick Rowley, plays out like something of a murder mystery. Read full review

Time Out London Trevor Johnston

Nov 26, 2013

Even after The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty, this brings us chillingly closer to the real story of the post-Iraq shitstorm. Read full review

Tomas Hachard

Jun 2, 2013

Ably leads us through its extensive investigation, faltering only when the camera lingers on Jeremy Scahill for a touch too long at the expense of his interview subjects. Read full review

Joe Williams

Jun 27, 2013

These wars being fought in our name may be dirty, but this courageous film reminds us that as long as we have a free press, they don’t have to be secret. Read full review

Rob Nelson

Jun 2, 2013

It takes pains to make the political personal, forging the viewer’s identification with Scahill by making persistent use of his voiceover narration and keeping him oncamera throughout. Read full review

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

Nov 29, 2013

The movie has rather silly, Bourne-style thriller graphics, which are unnecessary: it has an important story to tell. Read full review

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User Reviews

Hen

Jun 9, 2013

An eye opening and frightening movie about the covert actions of our government and the actions they are taking to cover it up. The trampling on our Constitution is an outrage. A MUST SEE MOVIE!

5 of 5 users found this helpful50

jumajumajei

Jan 8, 2014

Modern day heroism at its finest, offering us help to see the results of our continuing ignorance, so we could realize what needs to be done and do it. To stop the endless, self-perpetuating wars (there are other kinds also going, economic etc.) and instead start using beneficial, efficientModern day heroism at its finest, offering us help to see the results of our continuing ignorance, so we could realize what needs to be done and do it. To stop the endless, self-perpetuating wars (there are other kinds also going, economic etc.) and instead start using beneficial, efficient and prosperous tactics (there are a lot of options available, and more to be found).… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Canisrah

Nov 30, 2013

Essential viewing for anyone who still retains a shred of independent thought. This courageous work is unique in that it tells it like it is the sad truth which is so often obscured. Highly recommended and then go watch Oliver Stone's 'Untold History of the United States,' and you will see...

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

everett

Feb 9, 2019

This is beyond eye-opening. Such courage in Scahill's determination to get this out there, despite its "hiding in plain sight." Next up, I hope: A similar pursuit of the reasons WHY Jsoc keeps operating in a world that's become a battlefield: The weapons industry. Please, Mr. Scahill:This is beyond eye-opening. Such courage in Scahill's determination to get this out there, despite its "hiding in plain sight." Next up, I hope: A similar pursuit of the reasons WHY Jsoc keeps operating in a world that's become a battlefield: The weapons industry. Please, Mr. Scahill: Follow the money.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

LucasCorso

Jun 25, 2013

The presentation and style of the movie is a little distracting, putting Scahill front-and-center with a noir style running commentary. That said, Scahill is a great journalist and the information presented in Dirty Wars is essential to all Americans. The movie is an introduction and anThe presentation and style of the movie is a little distracting, putting Scahill front-and-center with a noir style running commentary. That said, Scahill is a great journalist and the information presented in Dirty Wars is essential to all Americans. The movie is an introduction and an eye-opener, but I recommend following up with Scahill's book of the same name. The book is far more detailed and encompassing.… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

JoshFriesen

Jul 14, 2014

A gripping conspiracy story with a back bone of evidence, Dirty Wars is one of the most important films to see of 2013. Its designed to provoke outrage, and I would image most will feel outraged when they see it. The film focuses on Scahill, an American Journalist trying to reveal stories ofA gripping conspiracy story with a back bone of evidence, Dirty Wars is one of the most important films to see of 2013. Its designed to provoke outrage, and I would image most will feel outraged when they see it. The film focuses on Scahill, an American Journalist trying to reveal stories of secret divisions of the US Army and the damage they have caused. While the frustrations of entering the media circuit and dismissal at the top courts are interesting, the persist focus on Scahill instead of the victims can be at times distracting. This is especially true during interviews where the camera continually drifts back to Scahill to capture his reactions. The film attempts to present itself as a spy story with Bond style graphics and cuts following its lead star. All this been said, my criticisms are to do with how cinematic the film is, not the story itself. The story as well as the journalism behind it is truly excellent. Regardless of your political stance, see Dirty Wars, if only to glimpse the lives of people caught in the cross fire. War is indeed a terrible thing.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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