War Photographer
First Run Features | Release Date: June 19, 2002 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
79
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Critic Reviews
Positive:
10
Mixed:
2
Negative:
0
Watch Now
Buy on

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
San Francisco ChronicleEdward Guthmann
Extraordinary. Read full review
100
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
Indelible images and brilliant use of unconventional music make this a nonfiction film that must be seen – and heard – to be believed. Read full review
90
New York Magazine (Vulture)Peter Rainer
What's remarkable is how often the photographer's subjects allow themselves to be caught on film; it's as if they understood implicitly that Nachtwey was there not only to agitate for reform but to memorialize their agony. He does both. Read full review
90
The New York TimesDana Stevens
Documenting war is a small, partial but indispensable step toward its eventual eradication. Mr. Frei's quiet, engrossing film is a sad and stirring testimony to this vision and to the quiet, self-effacing heroism with which Mr. Nachtwey has pursued it. Read full review
89
Austin ChronicleMarc Savlov
The images this war photographer shoots are beyond awful, but there's just no looking away. Read full review
80
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
Frei assembles a fascinating profile of a deeply humanistic artist who, in spite of all that he's witnessed, remains surprisingly idealistic, and retains an extraordinary faith in the ability of images to communicate the truth of the world around him. Read full review
75
New York Daily NewsJami Bernard
Nachtwey's pictures tell a tale of grief and suffering, and Frei's you-are-there approach gives those photos startling immediacy. Read full review
75
New York PostLou Lumenick
A misleadingly bland title for a gripping documentary. Read full review
75
Chicago TribuneMichael Wilmington
Finally, the film answers a question that obviously haunts Nachtwey: Is it immoral, callous or irresponsible to win fame and recognition from images of the terror, death and suffering of others? Read full review
70
Village VoiceJessica Winter
The photographer's show-don't-tell stance is admirable, but it can make him a problematic documentary subject. War Photographer infers the psychological and physical toll of his peripatetic existence, but provides scant insight into his technique. Read full review
60
Film ThreatPhil Hall
While the images presented here are peerless, James Nachtwey is a fascinating individual and it is a shame we cannot learn more about the man behind these extraordinary images. Read full review
50
The A.V. ClubNoel Murray
The scenes of death, starvation, and destruction are affecting, but they don't say much about the actual subject of the film. Read full review
More From This Movie

79 Critic Reviews

6.3 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 81 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
2 77 Project Hail Mary
3 75 Send Help
4 73 Hoppers
5 72 The Sheep Detectives
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL