Brothers at War (2009)

An intimate portrait of an American family during a turbulent time. Jake Rademacher sets out to understand the experience, sacrifice, and motivation of his two brothers serving in Iraq. The... See full summary »

Director:

Jake Rademacher

Stars:

Mahmoud Hamid Ali, Isaac Rademacher, Jake Rademacher

Cast

Credited cast:
Mahmoud Hamid Ali	...	Himself
Edward Allier	...	Himself
Ryan Baker	...	Himself
Zack Corke	...	Himself
Danelle Fields	...	Herself
Ben Fisher	...	Himself
Jason Grundy	...	Himself
Patrick Irvine	...	Himself
Kevin Keniston	...	Himself
Frank McCann	...	Himself
Brandon 'Mongo' Phillips	...	Himself
Claus Rademacher	...	Himself
Isaac Rademacher	...	Himself
Jake Rademacher	...	Himself
Jenny Rademacher	...	Herself

Storyline

An intimate portrait of an American family during a turbulent time. Jake Rademacher sets out to understand the experience, sacrifice, and motivation of his two brothers serving in Iraq. The film follows Jake's exploits as he risks everything-including his life-to tell his brothers' story. Often humorous, but sometimes downright lethal, it is a remarkable journey where Jake embeds with four combat units in Iraq. Unprecedented access to US and Iraqi combat units take him behind the camouflage curtain with secret reconnaissance troops on the Syrian border, into sniper "hide sites" in the Sunni Triangle, through raging machine gun battles with the Iraqi Army. Ultimately, the film follows his brothers home where separations and life-threatening work ripple through their parents, siblings, wives, and children. It is a rare look at the bonds and service of our soldiers on the front lines and the profound effects their service has on the loved ones they leave behind.

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Plot Keywords:

iraq | syrian border | sunni triangle | kurdistan | insurgent | 

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Genres:

Documentary | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and a brief war image

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 March 2009 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Decatur, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$33,142 (USA) (13 March 2009)

Gross:

$152,798 (USA) (29 May 2009)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Brothers In Arms"
Written and Performed by John Ondrasik

User Reviews

A truly worthwhile documentary

Having recently toured the Normandy beaches and hedgerows, the impact of war on the young men of those days in 1944 has been much on my mind. Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers served to put a real,if Hollywood,face on the sacrifices made by thousands of young Americans. A visit to any one of the 27 cemeteries in Normandy brings the cost home in an indelible manner.

Once again, young Americans, both men and women this time, are fighting and dying in Iraq and Afghanistan. Leaving aside the politics of these conflicts, the experiences of the Rademacher family and,in particular,its heroic sons, reminds me again that the idea of serving ones country is of the highest order in the American psyche. The documentary does justice to this idea and,at the same time,reflects the intensely personal sacrifices made by each member of the family. The scenes in-country, inside the FOB's and outside, on patrols and in the fire fight, are a graphic portrayal of the boredom and terror combat brings with it.

Because it is real and true, not staged like films such as Hurt Locker

• good as it was - in my opinion Brothers at War ought to be required

viewing for all Americans. I'd recommend starting with the Congress of the United States.

I salute Jake Rademacher,Gary Sinise and all the others who made Brothers at War happen. And a sincere and grateful thank you to all members of the Rademacher family.