Review of Waco: The Rules of Engagement (1997) by Emily H — 15 Aug 2007

I am always very interested in cult phenomena, however upon watching this movie I was subjected to an "education" about a different cult than was advertised. Representing the United States government as a group of unfocused and brainwashed weaklings, this documentary exposes the sad supposed realities behind the conflict in 1993. While all documentaries are edited to lean in a specific direction, I do think that this one presents significant holes in the storyline of the Branch Davidian crisis. This documentary is an expose' on the poor decision making of the government, not on the inner workings of the Branch Davidians. This was disappointing. The graphic footage and the insistance that David Koresh "was not sociopathic or a psychotic in any way," is a manipulative ploy to sway the viewer. Like Farenheit: 9/11, this documentary treats the common audience like they are idiots and the information presented, while mildly interesting, is...elementary.

I was disappointed in this film. I left it no more educated that I was upon pressing play. But, perhaps it is now common knowledge that the US government makes major mistakes. In context (1997) it was surely quite shocking.