Product Details

• Directors: Bruce Van Dusen
• Producers: The Institute for the Study of War
• Format: NTSC, Color, Closed-captioned
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Brainstorm Media
• Run Time: 70 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B002W8SRPI
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #184,919 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Since the invasion in 2003, hundreds of thousands of troops from 40 countries had deployed to Iraq but, by 2007, sectarian violence was on the rise and Iraq was descending into chaos. The situation was desperate and required a new strategy...the Surge. Over 20,000 additional combat troops were sent to Iraq. A year later, the rates of violence and sectarian killing had plummeted and the fledgling government of Iraq was gaining support. The mission to restore order in a failed state succeeded beyond all expectations. THE SURGE: THE WHOLE STORY is a definitive account from those who were there. Every senior military officer and official who participated in the Surge was interviewed. They share their impressions, doubts, and the rationale beyond their gut-wrenching decisions. They tell about the new programs they developed, the now legendary SONS OF IRAQ and SUNNI AWAKENING. THE SURGE: THE WHOLE STORY. Told by those who were there. Real people. Real heroes.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars get informed, December 11, 2009

By 

Ari M. Rutenberg - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Surge: The Whole Story (DVD)

This is a fascinating documentary about the Surge in Iraq. I am kind of a political junkie, and thought I knew enough about the strategy in Iraq to make an informed argument. After seeing this movie, I realize that I was wrong. Not necessarily in my overall opinion about the Iraq war, but in my understanding of what the Surge actually was. In addition to the interviews with the Generals (Petraeus and Odierno), what I found really fascinating were the interviews with the ground commanders. Two in particular, Col. John Charlton and Col. JB Burton, were extraordinarily impressive. They were not only great interviews, but they were clearly very intelligent and adaptive commanders. They made me think twice about whether we could actually be effective at integrating our troops with the Iraqi population, which in my mind was one of the most important things we could do, and had failed to do. If you want to be informed about what happened in Iraq, whatever the final result, this movie is a must-see.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From the Mom of a Marine, December 21, 2009

By 

C. Moruza "C. Moruza" (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Surge: The Whole Story (DVD)

My husband and my interest in the wars is apparent from the title of this review. We had been doing our best to follow the national debate on Afghanistan in the major media, but never could seem to get beyond a certain very general level of talking points and propaganda. We had nothing to answer people with, who would smugly state that the war in Afghanistan is hopeless and a waste of lives. This movie changed that for us. Here is real information, presented by those who have done real research, which lays out a real plan. I am now able to point out a few things to my friends about the surge in Iraq and the lessons it holds for Afghanistan. Making information accessible to the lay person, the way this movie does, is an important service. We now understand much better, rather than simply having to rely on blind patriotism, why these wars are necessary and worthwhile.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughful, encouraging and non-partisan, December 15, 2009

By 

news junkie (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Surge: The Whole Story (DVD)

It's a relief to see a movie that allows us to see and hear the soldiers themselves tell their stories. The news on the Iraq war has been overwhelming and very partisan. This isn't. While this film gives an in-depth look, I found it very engaging and easy to digest. It's also very reassuring to see that the people we're sending to Iraq and Afghanistan are immensely capable and are given the freedom to think on their feet.