Soldiers of Conscience

Eight Iraq War soldiers face the most difficult moral decision of their lives: to kill or not to kill.

Each is torn between the demands of duty and the call of conscience.

A realistic, yet optimistic look at war, peace, and the power of the human conscience.

About this trailer: Parental guidence is strongly advised.
Although the trailer does not have graphic images of war inappropriate for children, it’s subject matter concerns killing and the morality of killing – topics that can be upsetting to many, including war-veterans and children.

Emmy Award Nomination, 2009.
Winner – 5 “Best Documentary” Awards.
PBS broadcast on POV, the premier non-fiction television showcase in the USA.
Average audience: 2.5 million households.
Supported by a grant from the Sundance Documentary Film Program.

86 minute and 52 minute (classroom length) versions available.

This is a profoundly balanced film about a mostly taboo topic: killing in war. We made it to start discussions and to encourage mental-health for soldiers. Conscientious objectors, families of members of the armed services, as well as active-duty individuals of all kinds have told us how much they appreciate and learned from this film.

It has been screened at high schools, colleges and universities; from West Point (yes, the US Military Academy!) and various Veterans Administration Hospitals, to civilian peace activist groups, as well as at traditional peace churches (Quakers, Mennonites), and other faith communities (Catholic, Baptists, Buddhists and Jews.)

We are especially proud of it’s use as a PTSD prevention tool, and strongly urge families of members of the armed services to use this documentary as a way to learn more about the mental wounds soldiers suffer.

Click here see more clips from this documentary.

Download free study guides:

1) Lesson Plan: Perspectives on the Morality of Killing in War Time (produced by POV during PBS broadcast of the film)
2) Discussion Guide 1: produced by POV
3) Discussion Guide 2: produced by Luna Productions

Reviews:

“Thursday Night’s Best: A-“ – Entertainment Weekly

“Has an eloquence and passion that will open hearts as well as eyes.” – Paula Nechak, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

“It’s a modest, unpretentious film, and more affecting for it. Conveying not just the grimly harrowing circumstances of modern combat but also a real sense of the bright, mature, and morally serious minds that terrible crucible has forged.” – San Francisco Magazine

“Weimberg and Ryan have created one of the rare breed of documentaries that have a point of view, but don’t try to manipulate viewers into sharing it.” – Martin Stillion, Christianity Today

“…gives American soldiers from all walks of life the opportunity to speak openly and honestly about their moral concerns regarding their military duties.” – Jason Buchanaon, NY Times.com

“A thoughtful, challenging, and remarkably wide-ranging examination of the nature of war and its alternatives.” – John Hartl, The Seattle Times

“Wonderful…deeply personal…reminds us that the burdens soldiers and Marines carry in the desert heat are far more complex and long lasting than we can possibly know.” – Bob Kerr, The Providence Journal

“The movie takes its own calm, even-handed approach… Directors Gary Weimberg and Catherine Ryan don’t pull any punches … a film that stirs things up.” – Robert Horton, The Everett Herald (WA)

“Never presumes to tell you what to think. It simply makes it impossible for you not to.” – John Brummett, The Morning News (AR)

“The film is a thought-provoking look at the central purpose of war that invites viewers to reflect not only on their own perspective but also on the other side of the coin.” – Army Times

“Tears at the heart.” – Beth Ashley, Marin Independent Journal

“Thoughtful.” – Jan Stuart, Newsday

“Thoughtful…fascinating…tight and balanced storytelling.” – Moira Macdonald, The Seattle Times

“Gripping and real…through the eyes of soldiers.” – Bryan Fung, NW Asian Weekly

“This chilling documentary explores how we condition our children to bypass their morals.” – Lindy West, The Stranger (Seattle)

“Doesn’t just preach to the choir…voices from across the ideological spectrum.” – Frank Paiva, Seattle Weekly
“Although most Americans would prefer not to think about Iraq, Soldiers of Conscience is required viewing for anyone living with this war… Serving in the military is an honorable profession, and Soldiers of Conscience explores the difficult area where honor, duty, morality and choice intersect and then collide.” – Wyatt Montaner, BeyondChron.org

“This film is an important new tool in efforts to promote peace and understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims and Arabs and non-Arabs in the United States and abroad.” – Fatema Haji-Taki, Islamic Insights.com

“Illuminating…[one of] my five movies to look for during the Atlanta film festival.”– Felicia Feaster, Creative Loafing (the weekly entertainment newspaper of Seattle)

“Must-see.” – Bob Longino, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

	“Soldiers of Conscience doesn’t berate one view and glorify the other, but instead looks honestly at the moral conscience at play in each, allowing the soldiers’ experiences to paint the complex pictures. This film asks us to try something new bythinking something new — by listening to voices that have walked a difficult road.” – Kaitlin Barker, Sojourners Click here to read more >>
	“The film is a thought-provoking look at the central purpose of war that invites viewers to reflect not only on their own perspective but also on the other side of the coin.” – Chuck Vinch, Army Times Click here to read more >>
	“Thursday Night’s Best: A-.” – Entertainment Weekly Click here to read more >>
	“Weimberg and Ryan have created one of the rare breed of documentaries that have a point of view, but don’t try to manipulate viewers into sharing it.” – Martin Stillion, Christianity Today Click here to read more >>
	“Accessible to pacifists and warriors alike. The soldiers’ candid and deeply personal reflections remind us that in war human beings make choices they must live with the rest of their lives.” – Claire Schaeffer-Duffy, National Catholic Reporter Click here to read more >>
	“It’s a modest, unpretentious film, and more affecting for it. Conveying not just the grimly harrowing circumstances of modern combat but also a real sense of the bright, mature, and morally serious minds that terrible crucible has forged.” – San Francisco Magazine Click here to read more >>
	“This thoughtful and disquieting film…explores the fundamental contradiction between the killing required by war and the remorse required by humanity.” – Glenn Garvin, The Miami Herald Click here to read more >>
	“Although most Americans would prefer not to think about Iraq, Soldiers of Conscience is required viewing for anyone living with this war… Serving in the military is an honorable profession, and Soldiers of Conscience explores the difficult area where honor, duty, morality and choice intersect and then collide.” – Wyatt Montaner, BeyondChron.org Click here to read more >>
	“This film is an important new tool in efforts to promote peace and understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims and Arabs and non-Arabs in the United States and abroad.” – Fatema Haji-Taki, Islamic Insights.com Click here to read more >>
	“Engaging and challenging. If you want to think hard about morality of war, and the effects of war on some men who served in Iraq, I would recommend watching POV’s Soldiers of Conscience. For each, whether continuing to obey orders and fight, or choosing to lay down their arms and not kill again, was using the conscience God has given us as human beings.” – Fr. Ted Bobosh Click here to read more >>
	“Has an eloquence and passion that will open hearts as well as eyes.” – Paula Nechak, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer Click here to read more >>
	“A thoughtful, challenging, and remarkably wide-ranging examination of the nature of war and its alternatives.” – John Hartl, The Seattle Times Click here to read more >>
	“Thought-provoking…an unbiased look at soldiers who sincerely believe that the killing of war is at times morally justifiable, juxtaposed with those whose conscience have forced them to set down their weapons and answer to a higher calling for peace.” – Andrew Gorby, Center on Conscience and War Click here to download .pdf >>
	“Wonderful…deeply personal…reminds us that the burdens soldiers and Marines carry in the desert heat are far more complex and long lasting than we can possibly know.” – Bob Kerr, The Providence Journal Click here to read more >>
	“The movie takes its own calm, even-handed approach… Directors Gary Weimberg and Catherine Ryan don’t pull any punches … a film that stirs things up.” – Robert Horton, The Everett Herald (WA) Click here to read more >>
	“Never presumes to tell you what to think. It simply makes it impossible for you not to.” – John Brummett, The Morning News (AR) Click here to read more >>
	“Tears at the heart.” – Beth Ashley, Marin Independent Journal Click here to read more >>
	“Thoughtful.” – Jan Stuart, Newsday Click here to read more >>
	“Thoughtful…fascinating…tight and balanced storytelling.” – Moira Macdonald, The Seattle Times Click here to read more >>
	“Gripping and real…through the eyes of soldiers.” – Bryan Fung, NW Asian Weekly Click here to read more >>
	“This chilling documentary explores how we condition our children to bypass their morals.” – Lindy West, The Stranger (Seattle) Click here to read more >>
	“Illuminating…[one of] my five movies to look for during the Atlanta film festival.” – Felicia Feaster, Creative Loafing Click here to read more >>
	“Must-see.” – Bob Longino, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Click here to read more >>
	“I found myself humbled and moved by the film…a candid, eloquent and truly provocative discussion amongst soldiers from all sides of the story, that transcends the noisy bluster of political rhetoric and gives a clear, uncensored voice to the young men and women who are charged with protecting our nation.” – Matt Glaser, TheZong.com Click here to read more >>
	“EXCELLENT…a MUST SEE for all conscientious people.” – Catholic Peace Fellowship Click here to read more >>