Body of War (2007)

The story of an injured American veteran returning home from the war Iraq is set against the backdrop of a critical indictment of the government's handling of the U.S.-led invasion.

Directors:

Phil Donahue, Ellen Spiro

Writers:

Phil Donahue, Ellen Spiro

Stars:

Robert Byrd, Garett Reppenhagen, Cathy Smith

2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Robert Byrd	...	Himself
Garett Reppenhagen	...	Himself
Cathy Smith	...	Herself
Nathan Young	...	Himself
Tomas Young	...	Himself

Storyline

Body of War is a documentary following Tomas Young, an Iraq War veteran paralyzed from a bullet to the spine, on a physical and emotional journey as he adapts to his new body and begins to question the decision to go to war in Iraq. From soldier to anti-war activist, the film takes an unflinching view of the physical and emotional aftermath of war through the eyes of an American hero. The film unfolds on two parallel tracks. On the one hand, we see Tomas evolving into a powerful voice against the war as he struggles to deal with the complexities of a paralyzed body. And on the other hand, we see the historic debate unfolding in the Congress about going to war in Iraq.

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Plot Keywords:

soldier | iraq war | anti war | activist | u.s. army | 

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Genres:

Documentary | War

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 October 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Travma polemou

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mobilus Media, Phil Donahue Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

No More
Written and Performed by Eddie Vedder

User Reviews

Thank God he's a liberal.

It is extremely hard to watch this film form many many reasons.

It is about the lies told by the administration that were repeated almost word for word by the Congressmen and Congresswomen as they voted to abdicate their responsibility. Even the Democrats in both house were repeating the Republican talking points. Only 23 Senators and 123 Representatives had the courage to speak with their own voices and vote no. Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia was the most eloquent in defense of the right of Congress to wage war under the Constitution of the United States.

As this was play out, we were immersed in the family and travails of one soldier that managed to last only five days in Iraq before he was sent home paralyzed to suffer the rest of his life. The failure of our country to provide him with the proper care is a shame on the Bush Administration. We send them to die and suffer tremendous injury but we could care less once they return.

I learned more than I every wanted to about urinary tract infections and catheters. I was amazed that his mother could even stand to be around her husband, a dittohead that also repeated the party line and the Fox noise.

And, of course, we know now that this soldier suffers needlessly for a war that should have never been waged. That is a shame we all have to live with.