Waco: The Rules of Engagement (1997)

This controversial documentary about the stand-off between an unorthodox Christian group - the Branch Davidians, under the leadership of the young, charismatic David Koresh - and the FBI ... See full summary »

Director:

William Gazecki

Writers:

William Gazecki, Dan Gifford

Stars:

Dan Gifford, Clive Doyle, Jack Harwell

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Dan Gifford	...	Narrator (voice)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Clive Doyle	...	Himself - Branch Davidian
Jack Harwell	...	Himself - Sheriff
Dick J. Reavis	...	Himself - Author
James D. Tabor	...	Himself - Biblical Scholar
David Thibodeau	...	Himself - Branch Davidian

Storyline

This controversial documentary about the stand-off between an unorthodox Christian group - the Branch Davidians, under the leadership of the young, charismatic David Koresh - and the FBI and ATF in Waco, Texas, from February to April 1993 presents a different spin on the events from that of the United States government, which held that the Branch Davidians set the fire that destroyed their compound, and killed the vast majority of them, on April 19, 1993. Using footage from the 51 day siege, from the congressional hearings afterwards, from people involved in all aspects of the siege, and from experts technical, psychological, and religious, the movie suggests that the Branch Davidians were not a cult, but a valid religious group practicing under First Amendment freedoms who fell victim to first the ineptitude of an ATF raid designed to garner the agency positive attention and later the cruel, methodical work of the FBI, who over-saw the murder of the Davidians and then quickly covered...

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Plot Keywords:

branch davidian | atf | fbi | texas | fire | 

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Genres:

Documentary | History

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Details

Official Sites:

official site Official site; reviews; showings; images

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 September 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Правила поединка

Filming Locations:

Waco, Texas, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fifth Estate Productions, SomFord Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

136 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

References Rambo (1987)

User Reviews

Wacko Waco

This documentary makes a pretty good case that in the siege of Waco, federal authorities and especially the ATF were gung-ho, unprofessional and generally unable to handle a very tricky situation. What's more, it seems that authorities at least in part lied to the public in order to cover up their actions. It's disconcerting to see visual evidence of gunmen, who the authorities said were not there, firing shots which the authorities said weren't fired.

If the film had concentrated on the mistakes of the authorities it would have been worthwhile. But somehow the makers are keen to point out that they don't find it necessary for authorities to step in when a messianic, apocalyptic cult under a leader who has sexually abused underage girls and sleeps around with the female side of his flock stockpiles automatic weapons which they have illegally fabricated (converted from semi-automatics). The film takes the side of the Branch Davidians that it was OK to shoot and kill four ATF agents and then hold out taking their own children hostage because they felt they were entitled to do so and that the raid was illegal. Somehow the filmmakers feel that that's a case for individual and religious freedom. That's very strange and I strongly disagree.