The controversial conflagration that occurred in Waco, Texas is investigated here by director William Gazecki. Relying heavily on the Senate Hearings in 1995, the film uses individual interviews with locals in Waco as well as with the individual Branch Davidians. Film clips from the actual ATF assault on the Branch Davidian complex at Waco are also shown, as are film clips of thermal photography that were taken of the raid. A blow by blow account of this gripping tale is artfully exposed in this documentary. What emerges is a unique view of the Branch Davidians, of David Koresh, and of agents of the United States government that is all too human and fallible.
David Koresh's Branch Davidians Were Surrounded by ATF Agents in Waco in 1993
While a case was made that their was mental instability inside the compound, the agents were seen mooning the women, blasting music all night, and keeping lights on the complex all night so that no one could sleep. The people inside could not leave; they were sitting ducks, completely surrounded by machine fire power. One person during the Senate hearings warned that "fears, expectations and exaggerations" often happen when one group of people interacts with people they do not understand. Many questions are raised during this documentary, such as why the press was contacted before the raid? Normally, they would be contacted after the raid; thus, it would appear that the ATF might have been using the raid for their own political purposes. An attitude of revenge from the ATF agents appeared to have been at work. The military was involved, and so was the FBI. All of this for a small religious minority sect?
William Gazecki's Documentary is a Frightening View of a Power Struggle
The nation waited anxiously at the standoff, with some people wanting the government to take charge and oust the people, and others fearing for the safety of the children inside the Mt. Carmel Center complex. Eventually, a noxious gas was lobbed into the building, huge amounts for over six hours. The chemicals could be ignited into a fireball, could cause illness and death. There were infants, small children and the elderly inside the building dealing with the tremendous chemical onslaught. Tanks began assaulting the building, tearing off parts of the building. Four ATF agents had been killed in the early part of the raid, so emotions were running high; Koresh followers had also been shot and killed. No one trusted anyone else. A small Christian group was outgunned and outnumbered, awaiting their fate by praying and looking to their leader for an answer.
Warning: there are graphic images of human remains that are included as part of the investigation. This is a disturbing film on several levels, not the least which leaves one wondering about man's inhumanity not only to his fellow man, but to innocent children. It is a damning report of a raid gone terribly awry. What was meant to be a political coup for the ATF ended being cause for more questions and condemnation. A well-done film, gripping and informative, but highly unsettling.
- Movie site
- Release date 1997
- Oscar nomination, Best Documentary, 1997
- Best Feature Documentary, International Documentary Association, 1997
- Best Documentary, Honorable Mention, Vancouver International Film Festival, 1997
- Most Popular Documentary, Melbourne International Film Festival, 1998
- Emmy for Outstanding Investigative Journalism, 1999
Barbara DeGrande - Barbara DeGrande is a writer, film critic, and blogger, with years of experience as a program developer. She has a Bachelor of Arts in ...
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