Coming Soon: ‘The Surge — The Untold Story’
by Jason Killian MeathEarlier this year, I met with Washington’s Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a non-partisan, non-profit public policy research organization, with some of the most accomplished academics in the field of military affairs. ISW wanted to produce a military history in the form of a documentary film. The purpose was to bring greater understanding of the real story behind the Surge in Iraq — the story the mainstream press often misses, or simply doesn’t have time to tell. Surprisingly, though there were a handful of good books on the Surge, there hadn’t yet been a definitive documentary film. Now, The Surge: the Untold Story is the only documentary of its kind giving audiences a look into the Surge, as told by top U.S. military commanders. Here’s the trailer:
Understanding the Surge – The Trailer from ISW on Vimeo.
The short film features never-before-seen interviews that move beyond Washington politics to tell the truth of how a failing mission was transformed into one of the most successful military operations in a generation. Audiences will watch rare interviews from high profile figures like General David Petraeus, General Raymond Odierno, and Ambassador Ryan Crocker – among many others. The documentary reveals the personalities of a new generation of U.S. military leaders and explains how they successfully implemented a counterinsurgency campaign in Iraq that brought the country back from the brink of civil war and catastrophe.
The documentary will be released on Monday, November 9th, and available as a free download at UnderstandingTheSurge.org, as a generous gift by The National Philanthropic Trust and the Ware Family Foundation. This way, everyone can hear the real story of the Surge. As the director and co-writer of this film, I hope audiences will take a look and see for themselves, there are some important lessons to be learned.
Here’s hoping our elected leaders are tuning in.
Learn more at www.understandingthesurge.org
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45 Comments
Looks fantastic – can't wait to see it.
The truth must prevail as the story of the last several years is told. To often the media lies have skewed the actual occurances of the near past. More documnetaries, like this, and writings need to be filmed and published to set the truth free.
Our elected leaders don't want to hear any of that.
What we need in Washington is a variation on the Surge. We need the Purge, that is, a giant enema to wash out all the turds in our government—left wing turds, non taxpaying turds, socialist zealot turds, czar turds, RINO turds, and, of course the biggest turds—crooked politician turds.
I hope they also make a film of Fallujah where the Marines had to fight the terrorists who were aided by Code Pink and Henry "Nostrilus" Waxman, the traitor from Kaulifornia.
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Excellent, thanks for the tip!
Honestly, I'm much more interested in something like this than anything Hollywood is producing on the war.
In a sane world the Iraq surge and resulting success would have been fully reported by establishment media in the same relentless, drumbeat fashion with which they documented failures in Iraq. Bush would have been portrayed as turning the war around and the shameless Democrats – including Obama – who politicized American blood for their own selfish gain would have been exposed for the frauds they are. The biggest untold story of election 08 was the fact that the primary issue that drove Republicans out of office in 06 and that was driving hatred of Bush and rejection of Republicans in 08 had dramatically turned for the better. But no. That issue – Iraq – which had divided the nation, destroyed a president and his party and consumed headlines for years all the sudden vanished because the reality on the ground proved Bush and Republicans were right, and Obama and Democrats were wrong. And we just couldn't have that interfering with electing the first black president.
I wish there were more Documentaries and movies like this to show the real stories and not just distorted lies coming out from hollyweird.
Thanks for the heads up. Please be sure to tweet again once the download is available. I'm such a scatterbrain, I'm liable to let it slip my mind!
An unpopular truth is that much of our "success" occurred because we paid the opposition either not to fight or to switch sides and fight other insurgents. Admittedly, this is a common tactic in a lot of wars, and it has worked to some degree. But it doesn't seem like a recipe for lasting peace. Iraq is already starting to deteriorate, and we haven't even left yet.
That would be excellent. I followed that battle as best I could in the alternative media. Classic hammer & anvil strategy. al qeada knew exactly what was coming, they had time to plan for it, and it still didn't matter.
One quote I heard, intercepted from al qeada "We threw everything we had, but the Marines just kept coming."
Agreed, it'll be nice to hear the US' side of the story for a change.
Rah Rah Sys Boom Bah! WAR WAR WAR. This is one sick doc giving us the US General's assessement of their ability to kill innocent women and children. Nice. WTF are we doing in Iraq? No WMD, no tie to 911. Study history, especially the Irish revolution and civil war, and you will see how it all ends. YANKEES COME HOME!
I pretty much agree with your analysis of the past elections. But, taking the longer view, American voters have a long and illustrious history of just basically getting tired of one party and toss them all out.
They did that when Eisenhower ran for president and had a republican congress for two terms (I think). They were tired of Carter and Reagan won in two land slides. The GOP took the house in 1994. And the dems took it back in 2006-08.
The pendulum of American politics continues to swing back and forth, at what ever speed the electorates choose.
Isn't that the truth! Seriously, our soldiers risk their lives every day to protect us and others, and all Hollywood can do is crap on them? That just makes me so furious. That's why I'm glad those movies have gotten crushed at the box office and why I'm thankful that documentaries like this one are coming out to give us the real story.
True, but don't forget the Sunni tribes and clans had had about enough of al qeada themselves. They were basically turning the Sunni triangle into another taliban styled Afghanistan.
I've read stories in the alternate media that would make you want to vomit. They really are that bad these poor excuses for human beings. They got exactly what they deserved.
Excellent, I'm already spreading the word friends!
My opinion of Hollywood's recent war epics is basically screw them. I simply won't waste any time or money on them. If I want to see a good war movie, there's plenty of them already out there. Patton, Battle of the Bulge, Zulu, Braveheart.
More than enough to keep me entertained.
Only if you go out!
WAAHH! WAAHHH! Bush lied, people died! WAAAAH! WAAAHH!
Hey, moron, your mama is calling, it's time to change your diaper!
Why don't you tell us why Obama isn't fighting the "necessary war" in Afghanistan, huh, skippy?
Agreed. Also, Zulu is an awesome movie!
Apparently your opinion is shared by a great many people as evidenced by every one of those anti-war films' dismal box office receipts.
Kind of brings a smile to your face, doesn't it Hank — that the American public isn't buying into Hollywood's vision of the military!
I just saw that for the first time about 3 weeks ago. I have it on my DVR, and watched it a second time last week.
Mr. Scorpio highly recommended it, and man was he right. There were some very interesting sub plots circulating underneath the impending doom. Particularly Michael Caine's character. Heir to a grand military family, the best he can get for an assignment is a simple station. When fate gives him his first chance to prove himself, and engineer shows up who out ranks him, and takes command.
I understand his line just before the fight begins that he'd rather be a private on the front line. Impending doom, and rather than join in and fight, he has to stand back and do what ever he can to stay alive in order to command. His one shot to carry the family name and glory, and he's going to be crushed by the enemy.
His performance is all the more powerful because it's true history.
Amen to that…
Restores my faith in the American spirit when each and every one of those piles of cinematic excrement fails miserably. Too bad more celebutards aren't starring in them. A nice big box office flop for Sean Penn would be just groovy….
Penn doesn't need success, he's discovered the joys that being rich in a socialist paradise can bring. . . and Hugo Chavez's warm embrace. 8-(
Yes, Zulu is a classic. The only discrepency in the history of the film is that Private Hook was not a shirker of duty. His family was actually outraged at his portrayal in the film.
That part aside, Henry Hook was one of the recip[ients of the Victoria Cross for the battle of Rourke's Drift…..
Glad you liked it brother….
Ahh yes, the do as I say not as I do utopia….
I think it's an absolutely stunning movie. The acting, the incredible characterizations and subplots (as you point out), and the fact that unlike so many military films today, they didn't denigrate either side — they treat them both honorable.
<<One quote I heard, intercepted from al qeada "We threw everything we had, but the Marines just kept coming." >>
Marines are the best at that.
The engineer's position was interesting too. He was just there to build a bridge!!
They did mention in the movie that he was being penalized for sending money back to his cash strapped family.
If that were me, no matter how I viewed my duty, I'd certainly not be a model soldier either. Also, Caine's character's first inclination after hearing the size of the opposing force, is to melt into the bush. So I can see why that was his goal too. They thought the new commander was nuts to stay, screw the orders.
His family may be outraged, but it seemed perfectly logical to me. I had no problems with the character.
Again, thanks for recommending this movie. It's definitely up in my top 20 movies of all time! (My list fluctuates all the time, so top 20 is a better indicator.)
That's the one. . .
US Marines: When absolutely, positively, has to be destroyed over night.
My thoughts exactely. And the next time I donate money to a worthy organization, I'll be sending it to, The National Philanthropic Trust and (or) the Ware Family Foundation.
Obviously they're doing good things for this country.
I love that line!
"Is this what it was like your first time? Do you think I'm daft enough to go through that twice?"
WWBHOD
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Looks like two thumbs, way up. Our troops deserve to have the truth immortalized in film, instead of having it sifted through the prism of Hollywood twits who dislike them to begin with.
Of course Iraq is starting to deteriorate…we have no real 'Commander in Chief' ….did you think that because Obama is now in the White House …not making decisions..that the 'war' would just go away..???? Iraq was succeeding because we had a strong administration…now, we just look like some third world pansy, weak country…there is ALWAYS more turmoil in the world when the democrats are in office…the rest of the world feels no threat of retaliation from a wuss government…
Agree 100% gunny…like your TH site, it's a kick in the pants to the Left!
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Kill every stupid brown in sight. They're savage, worthless slugs and we deserve their oil. I say America goes imperial with nuclear weapons. That's the most reasonable thing for the entire world.
No Obama's tactic is much better, bow down and say your sorry for being America because that works so well with the muderous hatefilled thugs that you and other liberals have more love for then the soldiers who defend your miserable cowardly existence
Yeah right…NOT ONE bad guy has gotten 'whacked' by the US eh? NOT ONE?? Beside if the Yankees come home don't we have the enemies within???
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