“Dirty War” is a universal wake-up call......
However, the anti-terrorist squad from Scotland Yard manages to catch a break when a seemingly unrelated tip from a Pakistani shopkeeper about a young Muslim youth who harassed her daughter for wearing revealing Western clothes, unexpectedly leads them onto the trail of the terrorist cell in question. Also fortunate for the squad is the arrival of a new Muslim female detective, DC Sameena Habibullah (Koel Purie), who just got assigned to the squad. Habibullah is able to question the shopkeeper in a very effective manner (as opposed to her white male colleagues) due to the fact that she speaks the shopkeeper´s native language and also her familiarity with Islamic customs. From that point onwards, "Dirty War" kicks into high gear and it morphs into a tense scramble between the authorities, who are slowly peeling away the layers and uncovering what the suspects are planning and the terrorists, who are barreling ahead in building the bomb, not knowing that the police may just a few steps behind.
Most, if not all, of the actors in this film are unknown to American audiences and that plays nicely into making the story not only more believable but also gut wrenching. You tend to see the actors as real people instead of movie stars playing a role. The all-round understated performances also help to deliver the foreboding message without coming across as too preachy.
Co-writers Daniel Percival and Lizzie Mickery have certainly done extensive research into the various components that would make up a "dirty bomb" attack. Much of what you see and the statistics that you hear in this film are backed up by some sort of factual data volunteered by experts in their respective fields. The fact that the British government may not be as prepared, as they would lead the general public to believe, sends a powerful message to those in power to take the possibility of such an attack more seriously. In "Dirty War", the under-preparedness of the British first responders and the lack of proper equipment to deal with a major radioactive disaster in a city of millions call into question our own American cities´ preparations and the ability to respond in an adequate manner. "Dirty War" is a universal wake-up call for every government that faces the danger of a terrorist attack.
Video:
"Dirty War" is presented in a nice anamorphic widescreen image measuring 1.78:1. The colors are vivid and beautifully reproduced, with natural skin tones and accurate black levels. Some grain is visible in certain indoor scenes but it is so subtle that you might probably not even notice it. Subtitle options include English, Spanish and French.
Audio:
Surprisingly, the main audio track is not encoded in the normal Dolby Digital 5.1 format but is instead presented in English and Spanish 2-channel Dolby Surround. Even without the more discrete 5-channel option, "Dirty War" still sounds surprisingly good, with clear dialogue and front-heavy sound effects and music.
Extras:
The only bonus material on this DVD is an audio commentary by director Daniel Percival and co-writer Lizzie Mickery. Both participants have a lot to information to deliver about this film and it is interesting to hear them talk about the hard facts that are portrayed so elegantly and in such a riveting manner.
Packaging:
"Dirty War" is packaged in a regular keepcase without any insert.
Film Value:
"Dirty War" is not only a thrilling and dramatic telling of what devastation, terrorists with enough determination and resources can unleash onto a city, it also serves as a kind of public service message of what to do if, God forbid, you are caught in such a situation. On both counts, "Dirty War" hits the mark. As expected, the British government rebuked the BBC for broadcasting this film and dismissed it as pure sensationalism and for unnecessarily fueling public anxieties over the threat of terrorism within the borders of the British Isles. Well, the best thing is to just watch this film and you can be the judge.
Most, if not all, of the actors in this film are unknown to American audiences and that plays nicely into making the story not only more believable but also gut wrenching. You tend to see the actors as real people instead of movie stars playing a role. The all-round understated performances also help to deliver the foreboding message without coming across as too preachy.
Co-writers Daniel Percival and Lizzie Mickery have certainly done extensive research into the various components that would make up a "dirty bomb" attack. Much of what you see and the statistics that you hear in this film are backed up by some sort of factual data volunteered by experts in their respective fields. The fact that the British government may not be as prepared, as they would lead the general public to believe, sends a powerful message to those in power to take the possibility of such an attack more seriously. In "Dirty War", the under-preparedness of the British first responders and the lack of proper equipment to deal with a major radioactive disaster in a city of millions call into question our own American cities´ preparations and the ability to respond in an adequate manner. "Dirty War" is a universal wake-up call for every government that faces the danger of a terrorist attack.
Video:
"Dirty War" is presented in a nice anamorphic widescreen image measuring 1.78:1. The colors are vivid and beautifully reproduced, with natural skin tones and accurate black levels. Some grain is visible in certain indoor scenes but it is so subtle that you might probably not even notice it. Subtitle options include English, Spanish and French.
Audio:
Surprisingly, the main audio track is not encoded in the normal Dolby Digital 5.1 format but is instead presented in English and Spanish 2-channel Dolby Surround. Even without the more discrete 5-channel option, "Dirty War" still sounds surprisingly good, with clear dialogue and front-heavy sound effects and music.
Extras:
The only bonus material on this DVD is an audio commentary by director Daniel Percival and co-writer Lizzie Mickery. Both participants have a lot to information to deliver about this film and it is interesting to hear them talk about the hard facts that are portrayed so elegantly and in such a riveting manner.
Packaging:
"Dirty War" is packaged in a regular keepcase without any insert.
Film Value:
"Dirty War" is not only a thrilling and dramatic telling of what devastation, terrorists with enough determination and resources can unleash onto a city, it also serves as a kind of public service message of what to do if, God forbid, you are caught in such a situation. On both counts, "Dirty War" hits the mark. As expected, the British government rebuked the BBC for broadcasting this film and dismissed it as pure sensationalism and for unnecessarily fueling public anxieties over the threat of terrorism within the borders of the British Isles. Well, the best thing is to just watch this film and you can be the judge.
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[release]15553[/release]