Customer Reviews

Combat Diary - The Marines of Lima Company

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(2)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is by far the best war documentary that covers the current conflicts. I am a Soldier with 2 tours in Iraq and I think this story is amazing. The actual Documentary itself was very well made and the whole thing is a tear fest. It is insane what these guys went through and I think every American should watch this film, these Marines of Lima CO are an inspiration for me. I am a Combat medic (the equivalent of a Corpsman) in the Army and for those of you that want to see the average experiences of the infantry in Iraq, this isn't average, this is the worst case scenerio.

Another film that is worth watching and I think shows the average experience of life in Iraq is Occupation: Dreamland, which follows the 82nd. Another one is Gunner Palace and it does reflect how a lot of support personnel are living in Iraq, yet the troops in it are an embarrassment to the Army. An amazing documentary that covers WW2 is The War by Ken Burns, nothing compares to it.

This is an excellent documentary that tells the story of not only Lima Company but of the 3/25. This DVD contains footage not seen in the A&E special (tracks their time in 29 Palms prior to their deployment to Iraq and others). Well worth the money and is highly recommended to all who want a small glimpse of combat in Iraq and its effect on a community.

This is a no non-sense account of 7 months on the ground in the Anbar province in Iraq with the Marines of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Regiment, 4th Marine Division. A reserve company located in Columbus, Ohio, these are the images and recollections of average people put in extraordinary circumstances. The video comes, not from mainstream media, but from the Marines and Sailors themselves. Vivid, jarring images and factual, emotive commentary by members of a unit that was at the forefront of most major combat operations in the hardest fought region of Iraq in 2005. Having spent quite some time with most of these men, though I used to think of them as kids, even I was unprepared for the unwavering willingness to share their experiences of combat, emotion and loss. They are quite clear in their messages of why they fought and why they were willing to share their experiences. For our brothers. Semper Fidelis.

This video diary is by soldiers and about soldiers, specifically, the 184 marines of Lima Company, a reserve unit from Columbus, Ohio, that was deployed to Iraq from February 28, 2005 to September 30, 2005. The film begins with their jaunty send-off and ends with their tearful reunions amongst a flag-waving crowd waiting for them in the rain. "No one told us we couldn't," remarked one marine about filming their war experiences on home video cameras, "so we did." Many of the reservists thought they might be sidelined to some insignificant duty where they wouldn't screw up the real war. That was not to be. Lima Company saw significant battle and lost 23 comrades during their seven month tour. You see first hand how and why. The film alternates between their home videos of the war and their commentaries about their experiences once they got home. We also hear several families relive how and when they heard that they had lost a son in Lima Company. This is no Hollywood production, and that, along with learning what life is like for a soldier in battle, are the film's greatest strengths.

Let me preface this review by stating that my comment about disturbing needs to be explained as follows: Here we are, sitting at home, going through our daily routine of work, after school activities, and evenings in front of the TV, while the United States is at war. Let me say that again, the United States is at war. We (Americans) live our lives as if nothing occurs outside of our borders. Sure, most of us "support our troops" but what does that really mean? Do we support our troops but not support the war? I am not sure if we can do one without the other. Myself, I support the war, and therefore support the troops and vice versa. Regardless, this documentary smacks me in the face, hard. I live in Ohio, and know the columbus area fairly well. To see these men go through what they have done and how it changes them and their families, real people from real suburbs, it hits home, and hard. So, it is disturbing to think how we go on day to day, and act as if this war is more like a distant news story, while our neighbors are risking their lives, and while their families risk losing their loved ones. Maybe we need a wake up call.

As the other reviewers have mentioned, this story of Lima Co. is a tear jerker. It is very well done, riveting, and true. No actors, no changing a story to make it more Hollywood worthy (as if Hollywood could ever put out a worthy war story), just real life. Buy it, watch it, and reflect. Then go do something to truly support our troops!

As a teacher, I'm always looking for video to help the students visually process the information I have taught them.

To begin with, this movie jumps straight into how the war has affected the men of Lima company. As the movie progresses, the stories the soldiers tell along with the visual diary of their experienes begins to tug on the heart strings. The stories of the soldiers who were killed, are spoke about in a loving yet graphic way. One moving point in the video (among many) shows a marine who left a moving video message to his baby daughter, wishing her a happy birthday, before he was killed in action a day later. The marine's friend tells how the soldier's hand never touched the door he was about to knock on.

There was not a dry eye in my classroom, both male and female and the feedback I received was outstanding.

Do not miss the chance to view this video, you will feel a range of emotions you have never felt before!! A+ to the videographers for this magnificent documentary!

The fate that befalls Lima Co's deployment, contrary to word of an easy rotation from returning Marines, displays not only the reality of war, but the effects it has on both fellow Marines and family members stateside. This movie puts faces to the otherwise growing figure of fallen heroes we read about on an almost daily basis. We get an intimate account of the events of their deployment, both of their fighting and their crazy, but innocent antics during down time. The editing is superb, keeping us totally engrossed. I have watched this movie repeatedly, hoping the outcome for some in the end, will be different. Alas, the sad reality is the losses remain the same.

This documentary is one of the best on the impact that war has on the psyche of young men...really boys. You are brought into their company, and you are privy to the pain, the rush and the despair that war evokes. The interviews are thoughtful, the footage of battle compelling and the coming to terms with the death of such fine young men is overwhelming. You come to know, respect and I dare say love the 23 Marines killed in Iraq from Lima Co in 2005-14 killed on one day. This was compelling because you learned about the promise that each young man had...and that was lost due to such unmitigated brutality. This is neither an anti-war or pro-war film. What it is --is coming to terms with why a 22, 19, or 17 year old would join the Marines and why these young men love each other --and would die for each other--like brothers. I must confess that this documentary forced me to learn more about the boys killed in action and I have become a supporter of the Lima Co memorial and have remembrances to the killed in my home (and heart). And I dedicate this review to them--to LCpl. Grant B. Fraser, LCpl, Michael Cifuentes, LCpl, Aaron Reid, Pvt. Christopher Dixon and all the Lima Co KIA- may their memory be a blessing--always.

This is a great film. It was interesting to see the real effects of war and the sacrifices that are made by our soldiers and what our troops go through in war to keep us free.

Powerful "required" viewing, for anyone who can emotionally handle it, of frontline marines in 2005. American and Iraqi troops out of duty gave their lives for others, for America and the freedom-loving world, and the knowledge that freedom isn't free. It's dangerous to comment about this subject because it should be hallowed and respected; and it's easy to say or omit things that just aren't "right" because there are people who have really suffered tremendous loss. That's one of the ways that I've been moved by this film. This is a beautiful collection of videos and "vignettes" of brave young men and their families who were on the front line in Iraq(close to the Syrian border) clearing houses and villages; the ones that did the hard job and made it happen. This is a well-made and beautifully edited modern history: tribute to American Marines and their families.