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| Photos (see all 35 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 9) |
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Release Date:
29 May 2008 (Germany) more
Genre:
Documentary | Crime | War more
Tagline:
I wouldn't recommend a vacation to Iraq anytime soon more
Plot:
Errol Morris examines the incidents of abuse and torture of suspected terrorists at the hands of U.S. forces at the Abu Ghraib prison. | full synopsis
Awards:
1 win & 5 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(58 articles)
The Family That Slays Together: Ten Domestic Slashers
(From IFC. 15 October 2009, 9:27 AM, PDT)
ReThinking Standard Operating Procedure: Yes, Virginia, We Really Do Torture
(From Huffington Post. 24 August 2009, 2:45 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
What's (not) in a Picture? more (16 total)
Cast
(Credited cast)| Christopher Bradley | ... | Military Police (as Chris Bradley) | |
| Sarah Denning | ... | Military Police | |
| Robin Dill | ... | OGA | |
| Joshua Feinman | ... | Military Police (as Josh Feinman) | |
| Jeff L. Green | ... | Military Police (as Jeff Green) | |
| Roy Halo | ... | Detainee | |
| Cyrus King | ... | Military Intelligence | |
| Alim Kouliev | ... | OGA / Interrogator | |
| Daniel Novy | ... | Military Police | |
| Zhubin Rahbar | ... | Detainee | |
| Shaun Russell | ... | Military Police | |
| Kami Shahab | ... | Detainee |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
S.O.P.: Standard Operating Procedure (USA) (working title)
Untitled Errol Morris/Abu Ghraib Project (USA) (working title)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for disturbing images and content involving torture and graphic nudity, and for language.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
116 min | Germany:118 min (Berlin International Film Festival)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
USA:R | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A (British Columbia/Ontario) | Australia:MA | Germany:18 | UK:15 | Singapore:M18 | Argentina:13 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R16 | Mexico:C | France:U (with warning)
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
First documentary ever to be nominated for the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival (2008). more
Goofs:
Factual errors: It's a common mistake to use standard instead of standing when referring to SOP, but SOP stands for Standing Operating Procedure not Standard. A good reference is AMC (Army Material Command) Reg 700-107. more
Movie Connections:
Featured in "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: (2008-05-03)" (2008) more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (16 total)
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Standard Operating Procedure (2008) ***1/2
What's in a picture? They say its worth a thousand words, but how many words are what's not in a picture worth. How about thousands of pictures? That conundrum is one of the major foci of Errol Morris, the eccentric genius documentarian's new project, Standard Operating Procedure. Although I was not engaged as I was with Morris's other works, Standard Operating Procedure is still a brilliant and fascinating look at the Abu Ghraib photo scandal.
Morris interviews through the interrotron numerous members of the staff at Abu Ghraib prison. They give their thoughts on their complicity in acts of torture, and reflect back on their experiences. One of the film's major attractions is Lynndie English, that now infamous young woman so maliciously captured on film.
What comes across most intently is that they were just doing what they were told. Those orders always come from off camera left or right. No one above Staff Sergeant was ever charged with anything. This is a point the documentary tries to drive home. In any bureaucratic structure, the big dogs never take the fall. You always sacrifice your little men, your pawns. If people knew what was really going on at the top, they would most surely revolt, or at the very least make a stink, and that would be it for you.
Morris interviews one person who claims she took pictures because she knew it was wrong, to show the world. Is she telling the truth? Well she also discusses how it was "kinda fun" sometimes. She is probably guilty and innocent on all counts.
Morris delves into his subject matter with his usual detective style. He says very little, and of course never ever dares show his face on camera. He only prompts from time to time. He has a style that is uniquely his own in the documentary world. I did not find Standard Operating Procedure to be on the same level as say The Fog of War or Gates of Heaven. But then again how many are? This is a more than worthy addition to the Morris repertoire.