The Bottom Line
Pros
- A very dramatic and shocking film about the torture of suspected terrorists by American soldiers.
- Morris' superb interviewing skills reveal the soldiers' inner most thoughts.
- You see that the soldiers who behaved so unconscionably are also victims of war.
- Raises appropriate questions about who is ultimately responsible and who should be punished.
- This film should be required watching for our elected and appointed officials.
Cons
- It's painextremely discomforting to see American soldiers capable of such heinous behavior.
- This film can cause you anxiety, and make you feel angry, depressed, physically ill.
- None of the tortured are interviewed--but that's because they coudn't be found.
Description
- Naked male prisoners with hoods over their heads are forced to masterbate while U.S. female soldiers watch and taunt them.
- Naked male prisoners are forced to wear panties on their heads while their handcuffed in stress positions.
- Naked male prisoners are forced to climb on top of each other to form a human pyramid.
- A naked male prisoner crawls on the floor, while he's leashed and lead by a female soldier.
- A prisoner is made to stand on a stool with his head hooded and his outstretched arms attached to electrical wires.
Guide Review - Standard Operating Procedure (2008) - Movie Review
In Standard Operating Procedure, Errol Morris looks beyond the frames surrounding snapshots taken in 2003 by U.S. soldiers of each other as they tortured military prisoners at Abu Ghraib, or stood by and watched.Morris uses these photos as the portal to an investigation of events that, when made public, brought on scandal that has contributed to the widespread loss of confidence in the righteousness of America's cause and policy.
One photo shows Private First Class Lynndie England holding the end of a strap that's tied around the neck of a naked male prisoner who's crawling on the floor like a dog. Another reveals her pointing to a naked man who's been ordered to masturbate.
When Morris interviews Lynndie, who was prosecuted, sentenced to three years in prison, had her rank reduced, was dishonorably discharged and is on parole, she speaks in so dispassionately she seems almost disassociative. Her tone and manner are extremely disturbing.
What becomes clear in Morris' interviews of England and others is that the torturers are also victims--they're inexperienced kids ordered to 'soften up' prisoners so they'll turn informers, they've been given little background about the cultural behaviors of men in their charge, and are living in an extremely stressful environment. No excuses for their heinous behavior, but they're fall guys.
Ironically, Sabrina Harman, who took photos to with the intention of whistle blowing the murder of a prisioner by a CIA interrogator, was also jailed and discharged. Yet, that CIA agent was never indicted, nor was anyone with a rank higher than sargeant. But it is clear everyone, top brass and government officials included, knew about the murder and subsequent coverup.
Most importantly, the film presents the crucial question: how have we, as a society, come to this? If you're a proud American, you must see this film.
