MovieChat Forums > Kajaki (2015) Discussion > What a shame that American Sniper is ove...

What a shame that American Sniper is overshadowing this...


Watched American Sniper on Saturday and thought it was a pretty good film about war. Then I watched Kajaki on Sunday and realised that it puts American Sniper to shame. Such a powerful movie that hits hard on an emotional level. At times I almost forgot I was watching a movie and felt that I was watching a real time documentary. Such a shame that it came out the same weekend as American Sniper and will most likely be ignored by a large percentage of the movie going population. This is an absolute must see!

It's true. If you type "Google" into Google, you could break the Internet.

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Did you view this at the cinema? Really want to watch this film.

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Soldier,in case you missed my earlier post, dvd to be released on 8 June in UK. I haven't read a poor review yet.

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Ahh... cheers for the info ;) I was replying to, Lord_cyman about where he viewed the movie. But i'll be deffo purchasing the movie from amazon.

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Good for you ; mine already on pre-order.
I note you are ex-Forces. So was my late Dad (R.A.)
You guys do us proud. We owe you so much.
My highlight of the year is Trooping the Colour - my eyes glisten and are wet with pride, hairs rise on the back of my neck. Saw it first time as a late teen on a perfect warm,cloudless June Saturday, and they just happened to be the Scots Guards, and I am a Scot (living in England). Decades on, still remember it all.
Look forward to your comments on the movie in June mate!

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Totally agree with the OP. This movie is infinitely better than the likes of American Sniper. Such a shame it won't reach a wider audience.

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Your 15 year old knows better? Wow, better get him over here to train our Paras then!

If we are so "soft and stupid" then stop asking for British assistance in your numerous theatres of war. By the way, may I suggest you and your 15 year old kid go call our Royal Marines, Paras, SAS, SBS, or any other Squaddie in our Regiments, "soft, stupid or moronic"! Let me know when you are both gonna do it, as would like to be there, just to witness, you understand? LOL!

In fact, here's a better suggestion, get your two butts over here and ask our Royal Marines if they will allow you both to go 'yomping'(google it) on a training session across Dartmoor or up in our Welsh or Scottish mountains. For sure, will be at the finishing point to see when (or if ) you two wise guys make it, and your physical condition at the end.

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People that respond with such hate are usually pissed off because the person they are screaming at is right.

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I think this highlights the difference between this film and major blockbuster films dealing with conflict and war in general. In terrible situations things fall apart and people get hurt.

Lone Survivor, Blackhawk Down, American Sniper etc all pay the utmost respect to the people they are portraying and end up glorifying war. The lone trumpet, fluttering flag, the tired yet determined face covered in Vaseline and mascara with a single tear rolling down a cheek. The slow motion run with explosions in the background and emotive music. It all portrays nobility, strength and utmost bravery and dedication in dire situations. Respect for the forces is a great tradition in the US however I suspect these movies are not an entirely realistic portrayal to say the least.

War is utterly terrifying and brutal. Any film that fails to covey this in favour of glorifying it through the actions of the characters is 1) Being a cliche and 2) doing everyone a disservice, particularly the people who were there.

Comparing this film to the ones mentioned above you do get a sense of ineptitude and indecision but that's only if you truly believe those blockbuster films are a realistic portrayal or a closer approximation to propaganda to recruit troops, your call. However I believe it shows the terror and utter confusion realistically and is far more honest with the viewer.

Bad things happen in war, mistakes are made. A lot. In fact the common tongue in cheek joke worldwide in military circles regarding US forces is something like "all the gear and no idea" going all the way back to WWII, certainly the US seem to have a history on friendly fire and on paper make mistakes a great deal more than other allied forces in most multi national conflicts. But this is due to to the amount of heavy lifting done in comparison to everyone else. If you are doing more, you will make mistakes more.

Yet we never see big films showing any kind of mistake made by the soldiers from (almost exclusively) the US so I can understand the contrast this film then shows and the conclusion some might make. However I would give one example and state that American Sniper is based on the deadliest sniper in US history, the world deadliest sniper is currently still serving in the British Royal Marines. The idea that British Paras or British Forces by association are inept is most definitely incorrect. The men in Kajaki are not infallible super heroes and that makes what they did all the more incredible and emotive. The only thing these men cared about was each other, they did what they could in extremely difficult circumstances. I'm so glad there was no slow motion run across the mine field with violins or other contrived, clichéd nonsense.

I would recommend watching HBOs Generation Kill, based on a first hand account of a USMC reconnaissance battalion operating in Iraq. It really doesn't hold any punches in conveying that soldiers are human and mistakes can happen.


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A thoroughly fair assessment, hmun. Thanks.

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Thanks Ronfirv, I don't want to take anything away from the people who were involved in the events those other films are based on. I take issue with the movies that resulted, heavy and soaked in convoluted politically charged patriotism, very simplistic in their portrayal of goodies vs baddies and subtle as a sledgehammer emotional cues. They're an insult to the people who went through those events.

Kajaki by comparison is stripped to the bone, they could have easily made some sly comments about equipment shortages, the motivation for, intended outcome and cost of the conflict in terms of human life etc. it doesn't even paint the Taliban in a particularly bad way or try to make the soldiers seem anything more than normal squaddies sat around being bored. It's sole purpose appears to be to try and remain true to the events that took place. the day itself is the focus, not the actors or any one scene. It's not perfect but it's different enough to be worth watching.

I have read that people thought this film was boring, accurate enough. Ask anyone who has served and they're sure to tell you the old adage of intense boredom punctuated by brief moments of intense fear and chaos rings true. I'm sure after a few hours waiting for a chopper those lads on the ground were 1) In pain 2) Thirsty and gagging for a brew and 3) bored of waiting around for hours... This is not a Hollywood film and it is not perfect and polished. Which is a refreshing change for once.

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A good, indeed very mature summary here again, hmun.

Many years ago I worked for a US company(based in Idaho) in the Gulf on contract to the US Army, so saw their side of events to an extent and their modus operandi.
As my father was ex-British Army, and I have retained a lifelong interest in our Armed Forces and an older-fashioned loyalty to them,and massive pride in them all, I did appreciate this movie, a lot. The attention to every detail was highly commendable. One review on this site from a surgeon remarked how "hugely impressed" he was with the accurate depiction of the traumas suffered, and graphic portrayal of wounds. That is some commendation from a true professional in his field.

I recall a line from "Zulu" from a Private to his RSM, asking why they were in Zululand, and the age-old reply - "because we're here, lad, because we're here." Similar might apply to all of our lads today.

No Oscars will be given for this film, but as you have said, its simplicity makes it refreshing and no A-listers, also adding to the authenticity.
Yes, in a nutshell, a very British war film ; if anyone asks what the Brits are like? Start with this movie, a fair enough cross section of our Armed Forces, and most contemporary males.

Being flippant (only for a moment if I may)no unnecessary music and no token female love interest either!
Poignant too for me that there were a few Scots playing key roles here, which reflects the fact that more Scots serve in our Army, per head of population, than other constituent nations which comprise the United Kingdom. Proud of that.

Now, if you want to watch another, older British Army film, may I quickly recommend on here, "Tunes of Glory" and "Guns at Batasi"? Not at all time wasted.

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Thank you for your response....You put a lot of thought into your comment. I appreciate everything you said. I will take your advice.

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i hope to god some one drops a nuke on you american *beep* the world would be a better place with out you dumb *beep*

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Cool it a wee bit, alan.
This poster is just a base ignorant American but having worked alongside many Americans overseas, believe me he is very much an exception. Some are good chaps, honestly.
No idea how old he is but comes across as about 15/16, apolOgies to all intelligent teens everywhere!

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To be honest id had a few beers before i wrote that and having served in afghanistan in 2010, the film got me very emotional,sorry for the language even though it was all bleeped out lol.

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Somehow, I guessed you had had a wee dram :))
This site is never one to use after a drink or two. If it's any consolation, have been there myself.
My late old Dad was ex-Army,(R.A.), so appreciate where you come from and 100% understand your emotions. (I can get a lump in my throat watching Trooping the Colour, with pride and admiration).

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haha yeah that film was quite emotional.

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Big thanx, mthatcher61.
He hasn't embarrassed his fellow Americans - all the same, just as well a couple of Americans have had the decency to come on here to shoot him down for the trash he has come up with. I worked with the Corps in the Gulf, so know, first-hand, most of you guys are good, reliable guys. My Company was based out of Idaho. However, not all other posters have had my experience of working overseas with everyday American folks.

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[deleted]

Arguing over the script would make more sense than arguing over the actual true events that are portrayed in this movie.

I don't think it is fair to try and compare two film version of two separate accounts which cover vast differences in time.

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Probably the best, most engaging war movie I have ever seen.


I think your issue with the movie is that it isn't Americanised idealistic *beep* where one soldier takes on an entire army ala John Rambo. This is based on a true story of bravery and loss.

Your comment shows massive disrespect, similar to me responding like this...

"Maybe your 15 year old son is just as stupid as you, " get everybody and the wounded out of the mine field " was kind of the point of the whole movie. But don't worry, there are always jobs at McDonalds"

"leave no man behind"

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'caught the preview to American Sniper and immediately saw it for what it is. Sensationalism. Typical American war film. I will not watch it. I will try to get a look at Kajaki. Watching " '71 " and going to IMDB on the film took me here.

- JKHolman

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You're damn right there - Kajaki is infinitely superior to AS.

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[deleted]

Well probably because American Sniper is based on true events and a real American hero, and had a much bigger production company. I loved American Sniper, and I haven't yet seen this movie but I'm about to, and reading your review of it made me even more excited to see it.

EDIT: I retract that bit about it not being based on a true event, turns out it was. Based on the true story of Mark Wright.

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This film is fantastic! Reminds me of "The Beast of War" from the 1980's. Here we get the British perspective and with Beast we had the Russian.

There needs to be more films about this part of the war and Korea as well.

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I generally agree with the comparison to American Sniper, which I didn't really enjoy. I didn't see either Lone Survivor, or especially Black Hawk Down, as being particularly America, **** yeah, either.

Black Hawk Down, in particular, is a story of command stupidity and SNAFU and doesn't really "triumph" at all, except in the heroism of individuals and small groups.

Not only was this film an intimate portrait of war, it mixed the violence of war with extended periods of quiet "contemplation," for lack of a better term, to let the horrors sink in. Kind of hard to pull off.

Well done film.

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Reminds me of "The Beast of War" from the 1980's. Here we get the British perspective and with Beast we had the Russian.


Kilo Two Bravo is based on actual events, The Beast of War (1988) is a fictional story.

"Toto, I've [got] a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."

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