Exterminate All the Brutes (2021) User Reviews

Informative, yet incomplete and misleading.

[nxzgrz · 7/10 · 14 April 2021]

What this series reports, about the tragedies committed by colonial powers and their agents, is one hundred percent true (the blanket biased statements about Europe and its history notwithstanding). It is one hundred percent true that George Washington was a land speculator and that Leopold II was a murderous monster. It is true that the United States was created as a colonial power--I would even argue that colonialism is WHY the War of Independence took place.

The problem present in this documentary is that it's trying to present two issues as one. White supremacy wasn't borne out of European culture, it was borne out of capitalism; that is, the deliberate exploitation of people and their homes. The worst of the capitalists of the time were the monarchs of Europe, and they used their religion and their race to exploit and murder and torture indigenous peoples and tear up their homes for resources.

But we point the collective finger of blame at Europe at our own peril. Exploitation didn't begin with Europe, exploitation predates Europe. Exploitation is as old as civilization itself. If we ignore the exploitation throughout human history, we miss the suffering of most of humanity. If we ignore the evils of capitalism, we might miss the genocides being committed by China or Ethiopia/Eritrea or Turkey today.

Obviously, this story is not "that well" known ...

[edblogr · 8/10 · 11 April 2021]

... at least judging by the number of heated "reviews" here.

It is a sad and dark story about the supremacy of the white race of which I myself am a member, and although my country of origin is so insignificant on a global scale, I still feel ashamed. We see the consequences of such a discourse and way of thinking even today. The documentary itself is more on the artistic side, so I'm not sure if it's the most optimal form of conveying such an important message, therefore 8.

Thought provoking

[shcoleman · 8/10 · 14 April 2021]

I've read all the comments (only 19 thus far). I've noticed that people either exclaim that they really liked it or they really hated it. And all views have to do with historical accuracy and the motive behind making such a film series. And half the comments sound like they didn't even watch the series, because they are saying things that Peck directly addresses. If you truly watched this series, how could you miss all of this? Easy. You're mind was made up before you pressed "play". After that point, confirmation bias took over.

For me, this series is a warning not to repeat our history of violence and segregation against each other. We have the knowledge of our past. That is not the issue. Peck reminds us of this. We don't want to see. We want to forget. We want to live in a fantasy land while those in power do as they please while we are distracted and divided.

Not just this series, but anything for that matter...if something evokes hate from within me, I must stop and ask myself "why do I hate?" So many horrible things come from hate. And if we freely allow ourselves to feel hate without fully understanding why we hate then we will continue to do horrible things to each other.

I, however, unfortunately am a hopeful pessimist. If there is such a thing. I do not believe humans are capable of such radical and unifying change, but I would welcome it freely if it ever came.

All this to say, please watch this series for what it is and do not make it about yourself. Just watch it and let yourself think about what you have heard and seen and how it will relate to you and the world around you from this moment forward.

Obviously I feel more favorably toward it, but to each their own.

Stark and undeniable

[msmith627-1 · 10/10 · 9 April 2021]

Peck holds a mirror up to Western civilization so matter-of-factly that it's absolutely devastating. I'm sure in the current age of denial and rationalization this documentary will draw strong criticism from those who prefer the Washington and the cherry tree version of history but this film is brilliantly steeped in undeniable fact.

Cognitive Dissonance

[jamar_irby · 9/10 · 12 April 2021]

To decolonize the mind is a tough thing to do. It is ironic that the people who don't like it, merely don't like it because it doesn't show whiteness (not white people, but whiteness) in a bad light. That should tell you all you need to know. As for the documentary itsel, parts are hard to watch. He makes you sit with your feelings and endure the cognitive dissonance within you. Even paused a few times to "research" only to find out, what was just said/presented was factual. The narrative around a lot of what we know and was taught is torn down and that is extremely hard for some. Like finding out the Easter bunny, tooth fairy, and Santa clause aren't real. The documentary does a great job of humanizing the people while showing how whiteness (not white people) developed a sense of being in this country. It is worth a watch and when you get over the emotions of it, you should watch it again. I can not lie- I did wonder how this snuck by to be on such a large platform like HBOMax. But it was well worth discovering.

Disregard the sensitive cancel culture firebrand of those who just want to call anything that doesn't say "white is right, regardless" political drivel or propaganda - as if the status quo isn't propaganda in the worst form.

Necessary

[Praetorius1980 · 10/10 · 11 April 2021]

Incredibly in-depth and well researched. A must see. A hard truth to watch but worth it for the information and perspective you can gain.

Great!

[bingobongbangotango · 9/10 · 12 April 2021]

Deconstructing the pervading historical narrative of the western world and specifically America. It will be groundbreaking and uncomfortable for some. These are not new ideas however, and if you have even a cursory knowledge of history some of the material is repetitive. But the way culture, politics, economics and hate are interwoven in this documentary to highlight the underlying truths of western civilization's dominance over the last 500 years is beautiful.

A masterpiece of a documentary

[jakelunn-70113 · 10/10 · 9 April 2021]

We oftentimes hear the phrase "history is written by the victors" but rarely do we see the true history in the way that this documentary shows us. This documentary will make you uncomfortable, but only because our history is uncomfortable.

The narration is captivating. The mixture of storytelling methods keep you engaged throughout. You will leave these series of films with a perspective you may not have had; a perspective that you've perhaps always known but may not have acknowledged before.

Make no mistake; the fact that this documentary is getting such a strong repulsive reaction is a sign that it's helping to unravel the tight, embedded threads of white supremacy that has been woven into our society for hundreds of years.

Brutal, and brutally honest

[paul-allaer · 7/10 · 10 April 2021]

"Exterminating All the Brutes" (2021 release; 4 episodes of about 60 min. Each) is a new documentary mini-series that takes a close look at the origins and history of white supremacy in all of its forms. As Episode 1 opens, the voice-over of director Raoul Peck reminds us that "There are 3 key words to this: civilization, colonization, and extermination", and with that we are off on a global review and reassessment of how all of this came about.

Couple of comments: this is the latest work by Oscar-nominated director Raoul Peck ("I Am Not Your Negro"). If you have seen any of his prior films, you will find that "Exterminate All the Brutes" is very recognizable. Peck likes to think big, and certainly does so here again. What we watch is a strange but powerful mix of a dream-like atmosphere pushed up against the brutal realities of what happened in Europe (such as with the Holocaust) and the US (such as with the Native Americans and later Black slaves). Comments Peck: "The medieval Crusades wasn't just to win over souls, they are the origins of white supremacy." As I hail from Belgium (I moved to the US when I was 23), I was particularly interested in Peck's take on Belgium's King Leopold II reign of terror in Congo in the late 19th century. It ain't a pretty picture, and I'm being mild. I realize that in the current political climate in this country, a certain group will cry wolf over this documentary series, but the bottom line is that facts are facts, whether you deny or disagree with these facts or not. (I can't help but notice the ridiculously low ratings this documentary series has gotten to date on IMDb, but strangely and conveniently not a single review has been posted as of my writing this. Talk about a cancel culture... You can't cancel inconvenient facts!) "Exterminate All the Brutes" (a line taken from Joseph Conrad's novel "Heart of Darkness", incidentally) is brutal, and brutally honest.

"Exterminate All the Brutes" premiered earlier this week on HBO, and is now available on HBO On Demand, Amazon Instant Video, and other streaming services. If you have any interest in the colonial past of this country, and indeed of the world at large, or you are simply a fan of Raoul Peck's prior work, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

"This is a story, not a contribution to historical research."

[bromomentomemento · 5/10 · 15 April 2021]

This direct quote from the first episode summarizes this series perfectly. It's an emotional tale of historical trauma that remains today. However, as most emotional stories are, it's only half-true and it should not be mistaken for fact.

As Peck proposes (quite unoriginally), it is true that white societies deemed themselves to be civil while demonizing other cultures as barbaric, while they themselves were engaging in destructive behavior as well. However, instead of leaving it there, he also seems to make the assertion that these various cultures were civil, while only the whites were the barbaric ones. I fail to understand how pointing out one-sided historical revisionism through the use of one-sided historical revisionism is not hypocritical. Furthermore, many quotes are taken out of context but I guess the revisionism part covers that.

Ignoring the racially insensitive connotation of the word "whiteness", which is used many times throughout the documentary, all this series opened my eyes to is how most other documentaries are probably as onesided as this one. Peck also contradicts himself multiple times by simultaneously claiming that this is a story and that what he's saying is fact, while in actuality most of his opinions are conjecture and the facts he proposes mere lies by omission, which would support his claim that this is a story of a single perspective and not much more. In summary, this series is well-made and very convincing on an emotional level, but it would also be one of the least self-aware documentaries I have ever seen and not nearly as clever as it purports to be.

Brilliant, brutal and should be part of school curriculum everywhere

[kattmorsan · 10/10 · 13 April 2021]

Ignore the whataboutism in the bad reviews here, this should not be missed if you are in the least interested in history and what is happening in the world today. "Nothing new" they say, but I see myself as a reasonable educated person and this certainly gave me many new insights and revelations. "Boring" they say, but it's not at all, it kept my interest up through all the episodes. I'm not keen on the voiceover, but I get that the director tells his own story, so nobody else could have done it. Also I find the animated parts unnecessary, but other than that i'ts a 10. Very surprised to see the low ratings, but it just shows that it's controversial and that it hit home.

Brutal, and brutally honest

[paul-allaer · 7/10 · 8 April 2021]

"Exterminating All the Brutes" (2021 release; 4 episodes of about 60 min. Each) is a new documentary mini-series that takes a close look at the origins and history of white supremacy in all of its forms. As Episode 1 opens, the voice-over of director Raoul Peck reminds us that "There are 3 key words to this: civilization, colonization, and extermination", and with that we are off on a global review and reassessment of how all of this came about.

Couple of comments: this is the latest work by Oscar-nominated director Raoul Peck ("I Am Not Your Negro"). If you have seen any of his prior films, you will find that "Exterminate All the Brutes" is very recognizable. Peck likes to think big, and certainly does so here again. What we watch is a strange but powerful mix of a dream-like atmosphere pushed up against the brutal realities of what happened in Europe (such as with the Holocaust) and the US (such as with the Native Americans and later Black slaves). Comments Peck: "The medieval Crusades wasn't just to win over souls, they are the origins of white supremacy." As I hail from Belgium (I moved to the US when I was 23), I was particularly interested in Peck's take on Belgium's King Leopold II reign of terror in Congo in the late 19th century. It ain't a pretty picture, and I'm being mild. I realize that in the current political climate in this country, a certain group will cry wolf over this documentary series, but the bottom line is that facts are facts, whether you deny or disagree with these facts or not. (I can't help but notice the ridiculously low ratings this documentary series has gotten to date on IMDb, but strangely and conveniently not a single review has been posted as of my writing this. Talk about a cancel culture... You can't cancel inconvenient facts!) "Exterminate All the Brutes" (a line taken from Joseph Conrad's novel "Heart of Darkness", incidentally) is brutal, and brutally honest.

"Exterminate All the Brutes" premiered this week on HBO, and is now available on HBO On Demand, Amazon Instant Video, and other streaming services. If you have any interest in the colonial past of this country, and indeed of the world at large, or you are simply a fan of Raoul Peck's prior work, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

Trainwreck.

[etmachina · 4/10 · 17 April 2021]

It's not decisive, but the title alone was a bad, bad omen from the start. Ohh, edgy. Making violent white supremacist rhetoric the title of the show is a choice, but I'm not sure what informed that choice. Aside from "Ohhhh edgy".

It's not a documentary. It's some hybrid of historical re-enactment and behind the scenes of making a historical re-enactment. It's all actors, and we're explicitly told why these actors were chosen ala "this Swedish woman with Seminole ancestry will be playing a Seminole woman." That's great. I really would have been far happier with a narrator and still images of real people. Or even artist renderings. Because I tuned in for a documentary. Not fantasy with imagined mundane interactions etc.

I think Josh Hartnett is a great and under-utilized actor, and I know he has Native American ancestry, I really wish this was a better project. A good movie. Or a good documentary. Instead it is neither.

Brutes is Should See TV

[fmatt-88980 · 10/10 · 18 April 2021]

This extraordinary Documentary nearly defies the classification. Director/Writer Raul Peck was given exceptional leeway to create this masterpiece that requires an open mind and a simple love for cinematic art. Spanning history for a candid look at genocide, racism intelligence versus stupidity and ignorance, "Brutes " falls into the category of "should see" TV.

Truly Astounding. And just look at all the fragile White people triggered by it's very existence.

[williambnicholswrites · 10/10 · 9 April 2021]

The movie is as amazing the book. The moral of this movie is obvious, if we can't face e problems in our country, we will never overcome.

What's more amazing is the obvious triggering of all these fragile white souls who can't stand to hear anything bad about Merica. Unquestioning devotion is the same thing as patriotism. It's actually just the opposite. Go off though. 🤷‍♂️

Astounding

[robertacharris · 10/10 · 9 April 2021]

Raoul Peck has done it again. As in his seminal work "I am not your negro" peck has unearthed eternal truths about human nature. It is not always a pleasant discovery, but truth is often unsettling. It's amazing this film even exists.

Man's inhumanity to man has never be so visually displayed. It's a movie version of Guernica. Peck tackles how capitalism and religion blinds us and allows us to put people in hierarchies. Once humanity is taken away rules of decency And respect are no longer necessary.

White supremacy is a currency of all its own. White supremacy is a ghost or cancer that came into being in the 1400's According to the film during the Spanish Inquisition. It is a power That continues to this day. Some will reject this great work because it challenges their delusions. That's how the human brain works. We love our illusions.

This is hard to watch at times. But it is rewarding.

It's fascinating. It's a must watch.

Thank You.

Eye-opening perspective

[allschockup · 9/10 · 11 April 2021]

Hope to see future seasons cover other historical atrocities from other regions and times to spread the wealth of blame that all humanity is due for our violent tendencies.

Brilliant tour de force on the creation of 'whiteness' for the purpose of exploitation

[RastaVari · 10/10 · 2 September 2021]

What an extraordinary piece of work, poor reviews of which have nothing to with the production or content, both of which are fascinating and timely, and everything to do with feelings of impotence, self importance and guilt in parts of the audience. My review of Exterminate all the Brutes keeps getting rejected despite not breaching any IMDB guidelines which interestingly echoes the meta whitewashing of reality that has meant retelling and reframing histories, like Peck has done in this HBO series, so difficult for WASP largely male consumers to accept.

The use of historical sources, dramatised and animated vignettes, fictional, flipped and imagined scenes, melding of times, and connections across the globe, pricks the conscience and keeps you thinking afterwards.

There were times I felt sick. Times I was horrified and terrified. Times I learned, relearned, remembered things I'd forgotten or repressed. Times I felt as if the filmmaker and his collaborators had reached into my brain and were saying things I've said, wanted to say, thought quietly and then pushed away.

Tour de force on the topic and in film-making.

Interesting watch, but...

[linda-frances · 7/10 · 11 May 2021]

Informative documentary looking at Europe's colonial past and the horrific consequences of mans inhumanity towards man based on colour and creed. There was nothing really new to me, except perhaps the details, but I do take issue with one thing, colonialism and genocide did not start with the crusades in the eleventh century, it has gone since time immemorial ie the Mongols, Persians, Romans, Vikings etc etc.

To simplistic and self indulgent.

[R-averiss · 4/10 · 25 July 2021]

To understand how we got here should be to look at the evolution of humans through a non coloured lens.

Every atrocity that was ever committed to others was also committed to themselves.

This documentary is a missed opportunity that provides little answers.

The repeated "its not knowledge that we lack" is the issue because it is the lack of deeper understanding of human survival insticts that drives humans. We as humans are no different to all animals that inhabit the world.

Good Movie & Mini series

[ojieu · 10/10 · 9 April 2021]

If anyone (mostly white ) rate this show low, just know the movie did what it was might do, make white people denial the genocide their forefather committed on minorities. The movie is very good and informative. Only trump & Republican will hate and rate the movie low. Everything said in the movie 🎬 are 100% fact. The fact didn't care about your feelings.

A must see - History to understand our present time

[liove · 12 April 2021]

Well made, smart and enlightening. The basis of white supremacy explained. Strong and moving.

Interesting, hard to follow, story

[blueshorts801-651-406791 · 6/10 · 11 April 2021]

I've only made it through the first episode. It's an interesting, bleak, narrative. You have to be paying close attention, because it seems to be the narrators stream of thought, and it jumps from Europe to Africa to Asia to the filmmakers personal story, and then back again. I could not follow it.

In case you weren't aware...

[outofmana · 4/10 · 11 April 2021]

....that Africans and Native Americans suffered atrocities at the hands of white people, here's an excruciatingly long, boring, drawn-out lecture. It's a four part miniseries with the goal of pointing fingers at who was (and apparently still is) responsible for the crimes against the aforementioned groups in the 18th and 19th centuries. Overall, it's not terrible, but incredibly dull and slow... like a grade school band recital played in slow motion (seriously, if you watch it: set your video player to 1.5x speed (this is not hyperbole))

It's Not Knowledge We Lack

[sixstringshowcase · 9/10 · 17 June 2021]

This is a poignant and visceral look at the cruelties and extremes of the evolution of Western societies. It's not flattering, and it shouldn't be. It's a direct reflection of what really happened and is rarely, if ever, mentioned in most American history courses. Colonization and the basic demoralizing of the "savage races" go hand-in-hand. I'm sure that many conservative American white people will refuse to accept the truth that it delivers.