Body of War (2008)
85%RT Audience Score: 82%
Awards & Nominations: 2 wins & 3 nominations
Unapologetically political, this intimate and heart wrenching profile of an Iraq veteran may be rough around the edges but takes a potent stance with determination and compassion
Body of War is a documentary that will make you laugh, cry, and want to punch a wall all at the same time. It tells the story of Tomas Young, a veteran who was paralyzed from the chest down after serving in Iraq. The film does a great job of showing the struggles that Tomas faces on a daily basis, but also highlights his incredible strength and resilience. While some critics may say that the film is too simple-minded in its argument against the war, I think it’s important to remember that sometimes the simplest messages are the most powerful. Overall, Body of War is a must-see for anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of the human cost of war.
Production Company(ies)
Distributor
NA
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Unrated
Year of Release
2007
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:NA
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Streaming): Oct 28, 2008
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
Body of War, documentary, Iraq War, veteran, Tomas Young, post-traumatic stress disorder, combat, war in Iraq, anti-war activist, Congress, public outrage, Phil Donahue, Ellen Spiro, producer, writer, director, political, heart wrenching, rough around the edges, determination, compassion, critic reviews, box office performance, budget, MPAA rating, reviewed by David Fear, Ben Kenigsberg, Owen Gleiberman, Michael Phillips, J.R Jones, Jim Emerson, Prairie Miller, Ross Anthony, Stephen Schaefer, Rob Thomas, Beth Accomando, starring Tomas Young, produced by Ellen Spiro, written by Phil Donahue and Ellen Spiro, genre documentary
Worldwide gross: $71,716
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $102,738
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 3,024
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 11,204
US/Canada gross: $71,716
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $102,738
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,663
US/Canada opening weekend: $3,321
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $4,758
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,803
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Ellen Spiro – Director
Phil Donahue – Writer
Ellen Spiro – Writer
Phil Donahue – Executive Producer
Ellen Spiro – Producer
Director(s)
Phil Donahue, Ellen Spiro
Writer(s)
Phil Donahue, Ellen Spiro
Producer(s)
Ellen Spiro
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
2 wins & 3 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (40) | Top Critics (19) | Fresh (32) | Rotten (8)
November 16, 2011 | Rating: 3/5
David Fear
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
November 16, 2011 | Rating: 4/5
Ben Kenigsberg
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
September 7, 2011 | Rating: B-
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
Whatever you think of the film, Body of War stirs up real admiration for its subject.
October 18, 2008 | Rating: 2.5/4
Michael Phillips
Chicago Tribune
TOP CRITIC
[Tomas Young] deserves better treatment from the government than he’s gotten as a returning veteran, and a better movie than this simpleminded indictment of every senator who voted ‘yea.’
May 16, 2008
J. R. Jones
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Body of War again demonstrates that we Americans still have some bitter truths to face.
May 16, 2008 | Rating: 3/4
Jim Emerson
Chicago Sun-Times
TOP CRITIC
When is a startling and devastating war movie made in the past too long ago to shed light on the present? Well, apparently never, if we’re talking permanent war characterizing the endless US invasions and occupations around the world.
August 4, 2012
Prairie Miller
WBAI Radio
The doc gets up-close and personal. It shows one injured vet’s reality after war.
November 18, 2008 | Rating: 2.5/4
Ross Anthony
Hollywood Report Card
October 18, 2008 | Rating: A
Stephen Schaefer
Boston Herald
“Body of War” is so simple-minded and ham-handed in its case against the war that it ends up diluting its own argument.
July 18, 2008 | Rating: 2/4
Rob Thomas
Capital Times (Madison, WI)
Body of War is a powerful and effective documentary because it keeps its focus very tight and makes its story vivid in personal terms.
June 8, 2008
Beth Accomando
KPBS.org
The lack of ego and relatively little self-pity [wheelchair-bound Tomas] Young has is astounding.
June 4, 2008 | Rating: A-
Michael Dance
The Cinema Source…
Plot
Body of War is a documentary that follows Iraq War veteran Tomas Young as he transforms from a shattered soldier to a devout anti-war activist, questioning the validity of the war in Iraq and the value of war in general.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Nothing to add here about Body of War.
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