Customer Reviews

Brothers at War

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This movie was simply amazing...a must see. I saw Gary Sinise being interviewed on Jimmy Fallen's late night show and learned about his support of this film and then caught the Director being interviewed the next day on the news...seemed like a cool movie so I caught it in the theater. Amazing and insightful portrayal of a family's experience with the war. The great thing about this film is that it is unbiased and real from many soldiers and a soldier's families experience...I think anyone that wants to learn more about what our soldiers are sacrificing and what their families are sacrificing to have our soldiers fight for our country should see this film. It's unlike anything I've seen before and is highly entertaining (although it is a documentary). It covers family and soldier struggles and doesn't take any political angles. Overall, a great film. Definitely a top 3 in my book for documentaries...and I've seen a lot.

Everyone needs to check out this gritty, unbiased look at the affect war can have on us all. Plus you get to see a great piece about my brother, Jason Grundy, in the video. Check it out!

My wife, who kept up the home front as this Career Marine went three more times to Viet Nam (went once before we married), is convinced that this is the best movie made about the home impact of war. We forget that, while we soldiers can lose ourself in the arena of combat, family and loved ones have to mix their fears and concerns against living in an environment that most of the time doesn't seem aware that there is a war. This film should be a must see for all Americans and especially for anybody thinking about marrying a career military person. I bought it and it is now in my DVD library.

Oldest brother Jake Rademacher provides a powerful look at the dangers, tensions & lighter moments shared by him and 2 of his younger brothers, Isaac & Joe during the war in Iraq. Jake's gritty film shows both the intense, dangerous times during military operations and some of the lighter moments away from the action and with their loved ones back in the States.

Gary Sinise, the accomplished movie actor (and the male lead in the CSI: New York TV series), saw this documentary at the 2008 GI Film Festival and decided that it was a film that needed to be more widely seen and appreciated. He committed much of his own time and energy into getting BROTHERS AT WAR into movie theaters across the US. Sinise has been on TV talk shows and some of the cable networks promoting the film to provide Americans with a stark look at the impact of war on the families of those serving in harm's way, as well as on the military service members themselves during their tours in Iraq and when back home.

While not spell-binding, there are enough intense incidents in this behind-the-scenes documentary for viewers to understand the tension, shock & angst that soldiers experience on a daily basis during their tours. There is one especially graphic scene of an Iraqi soldier gravely wounded by an IED explosion.

The overall mood of the film is somber. Even the scenes back in Raeford, NC, which is brother Isaac Rademacher's home near Fort Bragg military base, are intense. The brotherly interplay appears light-hearted at first glance, but watching & listening closely to veterans Isaac & Joe Rademacher will reveal underlying deep, withheld traumatic memories & feelings that all combat veterans carry with them for most of their lives.

This is my first time doing this. I seen this movie here in Killeen,Texas in 2009 after finishing my 2nd tour. This movie hit home for me because it tells my story and my fellow soldiers story like i never seen. I will have everone i know go and support this film and i will show my sister so she will have a complete idea of what we go thru when we are deployed. Jake Rademacher has done the impossible and i thank him

From the time Jake Rademacher was a young boy, he just knew his calling was to be a soldier. He had his eye keenly focused on entering West Point. For reasons never explained in the film, he was not accepted, shifting his interest to acting. Unexpectedly, it was his younger brothers (CPT Isaac and SGT Joe Rademacher) who accomplished his dreams, becoming the epitome of hard-core, professional soldiers---ready to do, or die, for their country. They were considered heroes, while Jake---well, Jake was 'just' an actor.

It appears some sibling rivalry ensues leaving Jake feeling inferior in the presence of such powerful brothers; brothers who knew Iraq inside out and, had, so far, survived to tell the tale. Jake's mission became one of proving to himself and, his brothers, that he could have enough true-grit to dance in harm's way, while showing the world a different perspective of the effects of war---a personal perspective. He succeeded on ALL counts! I can only hope he made his brothers' proud!

This is not a pro, or anti-war film; it remains neutral. The focus is simply about the day-to-day life of soldiers in Iraq---their missions, what they talk about, deep thoughts and realistic fears. It also moves back and forth between Iraq and the US, showing many of the negative family dynamics that erupt when a loved one is at war, particularly after repeat missions. It explores how it changes the personality---the outlook of life. Often, forever. This is not a blood and guts film; there is only one scene that shows graphic war injuries. This is a psychological journey.

My husband and I sat speechless for this 121 minute film. We were amazed at the access that Jake obtained to join such dangerous missions. We also suspected that since there was such access, that there was probably a degree of censorship, which is why the film had such a neutral slant. This did not take away from the overall film; the deep emotions were palpable.

By the end of the film, we felt connected to the Rademacher family---as though we actually knew them, or wished we did. In our hearts, we wished them well. I can't think of a better testament to the success of a documentary, than that.

Wonderful documentary depicting what truly goes on behind the scenes of war in the eyes of the military. DEFINITELY a must to see for all eyes, including those who are against the war. It will certainly give you a better perspective on what our armed forces and military and their immediate families sacrifice for our freedoms.

They are truly our heroes.

Everyone should watch this documentary. I highly recommend it. It was very well done.

I bought this movie to share with my non-Army friends to help better explain why I do what I have done for more than 27 years now. I could never quite find the right way to explain to my parents, siblings and friends what deployment was like in a way that made sense to them. This move really helped bridge that gap and open up a better dialog.

Isaac and Joe Rademacher are brothers and Soldiers. They love their lives as Soldiers and their brother Jake couldn't understand their mindset. This documentary covers beautifully, the struggles of these brave Soldiers and the struggles of their family that supports them. Jake goes to Iraq and imbeds with Soldiers and Marines working with Iraqi Soldiers. He sees firsthand what our brave defenders go through and their thoughts and stuggles with being in battle, their concern for and close bonds with each other, and worries about what's happening back home. There is a dialogue by Isaac that drove it all home for me. I gained a much better understanding of why my son (Active Duty career Soldier) feels the way he does about going to war, and what drives him. This is a must see not just for Military Families, but should be seen by everyone. It will give anyone who sees the movie a totally different perspective on life!

My husband and I just watched this DVD and were very impressed with the absolute quality in which it was made and how it truly honors the soldiers who are sacrificing their time and livelihood for us.

Our cousin is over in Iraq for his 3rd tour and we have been able to really see what his world is (or might be like) while he is over there. This film really makes you appreciate the freedom we have here in the US and the sacrifices these brave men make.

I'm usually a multi-tasker while watching movies but this time I was hooked from the first minute of the film and did not even want to be distracted.

Thank you Jake Rademacher and Gary Sinise for making and supporting a documentary that tells the soldiers' stories and honors their difficult journey.