Why We Fight

A somber examination of the American defense policy, that may not deliver any mind-blowing revelations to anyone already familiar with the often times problematic interrelationship between (foreign) politics and business. It does, however, manage to stay refreshingly clear of conspiracy theories, and though Jarecki clearly sides with the pacifist, he remains levelheaded enough to understand that war is bad - terribly bad - but not always avoidable.

Why We Fight succeeds in nearly every respect because it presents its facts in a way that doesn't try to assert that all war is always wrong all of the time. .

Must viewing for anyone who supports the wars we involve ourselves in. Indisputable evidence that there is more to the reason behind our actions than "they hate us" or "we must fight them there to keep from fighting them here."

Sobering, sure-footed documentary feels like a reaction against Michael Moore's more incendiary brand – this more thoughtful, well-considered (and even-handed) contemplation of the history of American engagement in warfare may be a little *too* dry and talk-heavy to be completely successful as a film, but invaluable as a concise but comprehensive historical document, with a well-chosen and politically diverse collection of talking heads giving an array of well-rounded perspectives.

Don't matter who did what to who at this point. Fact is, we went to war and now there ain't no goin' back. I mean, shit, it's what war is, you know? Once you in it, you in it. If it's a lie, then we fight on that lie. But we gotta fight. (Slim Charles from The Wire).

Quite a cynical look at the reasons the US enters into armed conflict, but the profit margins/ rise in the shares of these companies over that time period are undeniable. Highlight would be the access to the Eisenhower's & footage of the man himself. Adding in a human element with the migrant Vietnamese ordnance producer was revelatory, but balancing. As was the fresh sign-up, showing the stereotypical saving grace the Army presents to the lower socio-economic types. Now watch this drive.

The cost of one modern heavy bomber is this: a modern brick school in more than thirty cities. It is two modern power plants each serving a town of sixty thousand population. It is two fine, fully equipped hospitals. We pay for a single fighter plane with a half-million bushels of wheat. We pay for a single destroyer with new homes that could have housed more than eight thousand people. This is not a way of life at all, in any true sense.

1177: it was a good thing!

A must see doc dealing with American military industrial complex & the less than noble reasons why the United States chooses to do to war and why. Definitely worth checking out if you want a understanding of the machinations of the US military industrial complex and US foreign policy, particularly in the aftermath of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

i'm not just handing this a green score because of its ideology. its masterfully edited, from start to finish, and delivers its message with an immense impact. It depicts all the omitted details and intricacies of the war in a simple way, but without dumbing it down. a seminal work through and through.

Pretty scary and insightful. I didn't know many things, so it was very informative. But also shows how messed up war and America is

A must-see for everyone who wants to understand the great power politics of today.

This started out as a near perfect documentary in my eyes. However, as it went on, the personal stories totally distracted from the larger theme of the film. And even later it goes on at length about the Bush Doctrine and the inaccuracy of smart bombs. These are important topics, but I fail to see how they tie back into the military-industrial complex. It went broad towards the end, when it really shouldn't have. The first 30 minutes or so are really good.

Answer: because not enough people stand up and say i won't...... scathing and highly recommended.

"Facts that aren't redundant often border on being off-topic." - Nick Schager

Correct without fail on the causes of American military efforts abroad, the influence of the military industrial complex, and the incestuous networks that drive American imperialism. Unfortunately, those informed enough to actively seek out this film will know most or all of what it has to offer. It fails to draw deeper connections at the heart of capitalism or hierarchal power structures that make the phenomena described in Why We Fight totally inevitable.

An eye-opening look into the military-industrial complex. Very well done.

Very well put together documentary; from pace to focus, it was a compelling, albeit chilling, watch. Appreciated how the personal stories were kept to a minimum, although perhaps the most powerful thing in the whole film is the tale of how the Vietnam vet's rage essentially rendered him--and doubtless thousands of others like him--blind and deaf.

Competent, informative, and bitterly funny in parts.

Frightening. What a strange place we live in.

Great Style.

Get ready to hear the phrase "military industrial complex" a lot. Or save yourself time and read a wikipedia article on it. Also contains more conspiracy theories than an episode of "the lone gunmen".

Frightening.

Excellent documentary. It is well researched and presented. I particularly like the excerpts of Eisenhower's final speech. Incredibly well-balanced in its presentation.

I recommend this film solely for the footage of Eisenhower's speech. The rest is stuff we've seen before. Although, the engineer's story was good.

Not nearly as well-mounted or solid as other political documentaries, but nonetheless illuminating and insightful.

Half decent documentary but only touches at the tip of the iceberg of its subject.

A look at the American war machine and the inconsistencies behind why it states it's fighting a war and why it really is. It's most certainly a terrifying starting point for anyone ignorant on the subject. It's masterfully put together. There are some beautiful shots, there is no narrator only interviews and older footage that has been perfectly spliced together to credit a linear documentary. This is a perfect example of how to make a documentary.

Needs a sequel to really show us the depths with which the American Government will sink for a buck, but certainly opens a rather large can of worms to the public none the less.