The Ground Truth

Name: The Ground Truth
Genre: War, Documentary
Released: September 15, 2006
Duration: 72 min
Rating: 74
Cast: Herold Noel, Robert Acosta, Sean Huze

2006

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Ratings

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6.5

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6.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Ratings

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The Ground Truth

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Movie Details & Credits

Focus Features | Release Date: September 15, 2006 | R

Starring: Herold Noel, Robert Acosta, Sean Huze

Summary: Patricia Foulkrod's documentary feature includes exclusive footage that will stir audiences. The filmmaker's subjects are patriotic young Americans - ordinary men and women who heeded the call for military service in Iraq - as they experience recruitment and training, combat, homecoming, and the struggle to reintegrate with families andPatricia Foulkrod's documentary feature includes exclusive footage that will stir audiences. The filmmaker's subjects are patriotic young Americans - ordinary men and women who heeded the call for military service in Iraq - as they experience recruitment and training, combat, homecoming, and the struggle to reintegrate with families and communities. (Focus Features)… Expand

Director: Patricia Foulkrod

Genre(s): War, Documentary

Rating: R

Runtime: 72 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Ty Burr

The documentary any American with an opinion on our involvement in Iraq owes it to his or her conscience to see. Read full review

Richard Corliss

Both horrifying and hopeful. Read full review

James Greenberg

Foulkrod's film is not about taking a political side, though it is clear she is strongly opposed to the war in Iraq. Her focus instead is on the dehumanizing of eager young men and their transformation into killing machines. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

This thoughtful, sensitive film, perhaps the most emotionally wrenching of all the Iraq documentaries, could have been made after any war. Read full review

Nathan Rabin

Foulkrod's film covers little new ground, but some painful truths are worth repeating. Read full review

Ella Taylor

Immensely moving. Read full review

Michael Atkinson

The details are eye-opening (or ear-opening, in the case of marching songs taught to the new Marines about slaughtering Arab schoolchildren), but soon Foulkrod's film backs itself into a Support Our Troops corner. Read full review

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User Reviews

EvanW.

Dec 8, 2006

This is a powerful documentary! As a Vietnam Vet, I knew when I saw this film on screen that it was real. And just as the coffins coming back from Iraq to Dover AFB have been scheduled to arrive in the middle of the night in secrecy, so have the American people been shielded from the true This is a powerful documentary! As a Vietnam Vet, I knew when I saw this film on screen that it was real. And just as the coffins coming back from Iraq to Dover AFB have been scheduled to arrive in the middle of the night in secrecy, so have the American people been shielded from the true reality of the Iraq war. The Ground Truth pulls back the curtain to reveal the ugly truth.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

JaonW.

Oct 13, 2006

Decently made Hollywierd propaganda aimed at your heart instead of your head. Much time is spent on military deserters who truly deserve nothing but the animosity the get from most Americans.

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MarkM.

Feb 3, 2007

Works best when it's about people not politics. I mean, really, does the world need yet another shrill polemic. It alienates the very people who shouldn't be but that perhaps is giving the director of this film far too much credit. Best to leave it to others. Consider the movie a Works best when it's about people not politics. I mean, really, does the world need yet another shrill polemic. It alienates the very people who shouldn't be but that perhaps is giving the director of this film far too much credit. Best to leave it to others. Consider the movie a missed opportunity to reach out.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

DM.

Feb 3, 2007

A piece of propaganda (rather like FOX NEWS) that is 'fair and balanced' only if you accept the majority of oppinion 'out there' is not. The assorted placards, posters and flyers swamping the film in the background add up to a fascinating discourse in themselves, and A piece of propaganda (rather like FOX NEWS) that is 'fair and balanced' only if you accept the majority of oppinion 'out there' is not. The assorted placards, posters and flyers swamping the film in the background add up to a fascinating discourse in themselves, and leaves you in no doubt of the truest purpose of this movie and director Foulkrod intent. Those broken and traumatised soldiers are the only ones she could ever embrace. Grouphug everybody! It's not that I feel no empathy with the individuals featured, but rather because I do. There are soooo many questions that could have been put to them (did they ever think that they would fight in a war that they did not believe in - not thinking of the Iraq war specifically) Sadly -sans the disgraceful tratment of the military and some of its personnel in times of crisis - it doesn't tell us anything new. despite the tragically low score I'd still urge people to see it. It's aa accurate picture of what some think if not all and they do deserve to be heard. But also to be challenged and that's my lot.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Nazgulero

Mar 21, 2011

I wonder how the protagonists of this movie are regarded by the rest of the folks on active duty, and the vets. Who needs yet another tearjerker about some individuals not being able to handle the consequences of war ? Yes, war is terrible, yes, war kills innocents - what else is new ? WhatI wonder how the protagonists of this movie are regarded by the rest of the folks on active duty, and the vets. Who needs yet another tearjerker about some individuals not being able to handle the consequences of war ? Yes, war is terrible, yes, war kills innocents - what else is new ? What is the purpose of making your fellow soldiers look like child killers without a conscience ? I am in no way pro military, and I am against it neither. This is just way too biased. They should have try to make this movie more balanced.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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