Taxi to the Dark Side

Name: Taxi to the Dark Side
Genre: Crime, War, Documentary
Released: January 18, 2008
Duration: 106 min
Rating: 82

2008

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Universal acclaim based on 25 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 43 Ratings

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7.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 43 Ratings

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Taxi To The Dark Side

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Movie Details & Credits

THINKFilm | Release Date: January 18, 2008 | R

Summary: Taxi to the Darkside, the latest prize-winning documentary from Oscar-nominee Alex Gibney, confirms his standing as one of the foremost non-fiction filmmakers working today. A stunning inquiry into the suspicious death of an Afghani taxi driver at Bagram air base in 2002, the film is a fastidiously assembled, uncommonly well-researchedTaxi to the Darkside, the latest prize-winning documentary from Oscar-nominee Alex Gibney, confirms his standing as one of the foremost non-fiction filmmakers working today. A stunning inquiry into the suspicious death of an Afghani taxi driver at Bagram air base in 2002, the film is a fastidiously assembled, uncommonly well-researched examination of how an innocent civilian was apprehended, imprisoned, tortured, and ultimately murdered by the greatest democracy on earth. Intermingling documents and records of the incident with candid testimony from eyewitnesses and participants, the film uncovers an inescapable link between the tragic incidents that unfolded in Bagram and the policies made at the very highest level of the United States government in Washington, D.C. Combining the cool detachment of a forensic expert with the heated indignation of a proud American who holds his country to a high standard, Gibney’s film reveals how the Bush administration has systematically betrayed the very ideals it professes to uphold. (THINKFilm)… Expand

Director: Alex Gibney

Genre(s): Crime, War, Documentary

Rating: R

Runtime: 106 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Roger Ebert

This movie does not describe the America I learned about in civics class, or think of when I pledge allegiance to the flag. Yet I know I will get the usual e-mails accusing me of partisanship, bias, only telling one side, etc. What is the other side? See this movie, and you tell me. Read full review

100

Chris Kaltenbach

It is, at once, among the most riveting and hard-to-watch documentaries of recent years. Read full review

Matthew Sorrento

"Taxi” captures the evil that many men do under the guise of American justice. Just as Bardem's menacing Chigurh approaches his targets in "No Country," American military administrators approached Afghan detainees with shackles and convoluted policy in their pockets. Read full review

A.O. Scott

If recent American history is ever going to be discussed with the necessary clarity and ethical rigor, this film will be essential. Read full review

Elizabeth Weitzman

Alex Gibney's forceful documentary starts with a single tragedy: the torture of an Afghani prisoner at Bagram Air Base. By the time it's over, he's broadened his focus into a documentary so damning of the U.S. government, it's hard to believe he even got it made. Read full review

Jennie Punter

Relentless, thorough and devastating. Read full review

John Anderson

Although it's tempting to call Gibney's documentary "the one Iraq film you MUST see this season!!!" (which, by the way, it is), it's not just about Iraq. It's about torture as policy. Read full review

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User Reviews

AnthonyS

Nov 3, 2008

This is an incredibly moving documentary. At one point I burst into tears out of shame for my country and sadness for Delawar's death. I would force every supporter of torture to see this film before they attempt to justify such inhumanity.

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PeterK

Feb 28, 2008

An invaluable film that documents the flat-out lies and public deceits that the Bush regime (military, White House, and CIA) has used to subvert the fundamentals of the American institution of democracy and over 700 years of English law in its monomaniacal pursuit of "the bad guys." A small An invaluable film that documents the flat-out lies and public deceits that the Bush regime (military, White House, and CIA) has used to subvert the fundamentals of the American institution of democracy and over 700 years of English law in its monomaniacal pursuit of "the bad guys." A small and otherwise unextraordinary taxi driver becomes the focus of an investigation that ultimately uncovers the truth about torture and the Bush regime's need to find scapegoats for 911. The scope of this documentary includes Afghanistan, Iraq, Washington DC and Guantanamo. This truly is a Must-See film, even if it is a documentary. Be ready for disturbing images that include nudity and torture. People, this is about what OUR government has been doing in the name of democracy.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

AgathaX

Mar 21, 2008

I did not want to go see this movie, and in truth I spent substantial amounts of time with my eyes hidden. But everyone needs to see this documentary, for the only thing it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing. It was an exquisite and deeply patriotic movie. A call to action.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

JayH

Sep 18, 2008

Bush is such a lying scumbag. How can America allow him to stay in office? How could so many people be so stupid to vote for him? Moving, infuriating documentary, superbly pieced together and well researched. Amazing.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

drlowdon

Oct 29, 2014

Using the capture, torture and subsequent death of a seemingly innocent Afghanistani taxi-driver as a starting point, Taxi to the Dark Side, explores the United States treatment of prisoners during the so called 'war on terror' instigated by George W Bush and his administration during theUsing the capture, torture and subsequent death of a seemingly innocent Afghanistani taxi-driver as a starting point, Taxi to the Dark Side, explores the United States treatment of prisoners during the so called 'war on terror' instigated by George W Bush and his administration during the mid 2000's.

Filmmaker Alex Gibney never shy's away from asking people the tough questions and his interviews with those involved in the torture, and experts on interrogation, reveals the shocking truth about what went on in Parwan Detention Facility and Guantanamo Bay. With its subject nature, and use of disturbing imagery to illustrate its case, Taxi to the Dark Side is not an easy watch in places but anyone in any doubt as to the use of torture in warfare needs to see this film.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

BrandenR

Oct 31, 2008

I saw this film after a podcast I listen to, Cinebanter, mentioned it. I caught this on HBO. This movie is tough to watch. It makes you ashamed of your own government. I had to take a short break from the disturbing images in this doc.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

JaredC

Apr 1, 2008

Rated R for disturbing crappy images and content involving torturous scenes and graphically boring elements.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

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