The Invisible War (2012) User Reviews

Do You Support Your Troops? Really? Really???

[soncoman · 9/10 · 1 May 2012]

"The Invisible War" is Oscar-nominated documentarian Kirby Dick's latest exploration of something terribly wrong with a venerable institution. Previous targets of Dick's camera have been the Catholic Church and its handling of child abuse cases ("Twist of Faith,") closeted politicians undermining advances in gay rights ("Outrage,") and Hollywood's incomprehensible ratings system ("This Film is Not Yet Rated.") This time he takes on the U.S. Military and its abominable record in the handling of sexual assaults on and by active duty service people.

The film consists of interviews of victims of sexual assault with cases going back to the 1960's up to the present day. The victims (both male and female) relate the horror inflicted upon them – not just by their perpetrators, but by a military justice system that fails them. Many of the victims state that the pain the went through with the assault was nothing compared to the hell that they went through in their attempts to seek justice, proper medical and psychological care for their trauma, and to return to some sort of normalcy in their lives.

Filled with damning statistics (20% of all female military personnel have dealt with sexual assault – does that not bother you?) and interviews with bureaucrats (both military and political,) it's the personal stories of those who tried to serve their country that get to you. These men and women entered to honorably serve and were driven out by a system that believes it's more important to protect one's own (usually meaning an officer) rather than support their troops.

The film is a call to action to make one simple change to the current military system. The decision whether to prosecute a case is made by the site commander. Often, this commander knows or has a relationship with the accused. Does this not seem like a conflict of interest? The film highlights a group that is seeking to change that and encourages the viewer to express their outrage to those who might be able to change things. They want you to do more than slap an "I Support Our Troops" bumper sticker on your car. Will you really support your troops? Really? The facts, figures, and stories in "The Invisible War" should turn the stomach of every citizen of our nation, regardless of political affiliation. This is not a political issue. This is a criminal justice issue. This is a human rights issue.

This is activist filmmaking at its best.

www.worstshowontheweb.com

simply a great documentary

[RadioNyberg · 9/10 · 29 June 2012]

There are a number of things Invisible War does well.

1. It conveys a point of view.

2. It's about a compelling subject.

3. It has sympathetic characters.

4. It has a narrative arc, which is challenging. It relies on the lawsuit and Cioca's disability claim.

5. The cinematography, audio and film making don't draw attention to themselves and distract from the subject.

I was quoted in a book about sexual assault in the military. In that book the author made the assumption there was some golden age before sexual assault was a problem in the military, a claim she offered no proof of.

I mention this because it's possible to tell the story of rape and sexual assault in the military and get it wrong.

This film uses a pretty hard-and-straight approach. It sticks to cases that are pretty well documented to illustrate the statistical picture create by the military's own data.

And the film has a couple villains to root against. The Air Force major general and her civilian predecessor come off as part clueless and part immoral.

Dick wipes the fog off another institution

[StevePulaski · 8/10 · 10 November 2012]

I am writing this review two days before Veteran's Day on purpose, not out of sheer, fortunate coincidence. When president Dwight Eisenhower declared November 11th a day of remembrance and observation for current war veterans and those who have died in combat, I highly doubt he knew that one day, there would be surrounding controversy that female members of the military were facing rape and sexual assault cases, and little was being done to punish those involved. Speaking as someone who loves the country he's been fortunate to be born into and someone who continuously supports, gives credit to, and thanks veterans for their service, this is an appalling and sickening feat that almost taints the entire military system as a whole.

Kirby Dick's The Invisible War is a film that will have an unprecedented impact on many of its viewers. Some of its viewers, hopefully young women contemplating serving in a specific branch, may second-guess their decision to join. Statistics show that 20% of women in the military have been raped, the second they are part of the military, their chances of rape increases by two, and the most terrifying statistic of all; 15% of recruits entering the military have raped someone before.

We meet several women raped under many different circumstances, who have served in the U.S. Coast Guard, the Navy, and even the Marines, yet can not escape the frighteningly real numbers. The main woman we follow throughout the film is Kori Cioca, a young member U.S. Coast Guard, who was brutally raped shortly after joining the military branch, and during the rape, she was slapped so hard on the left side of her face that it dislocated plates in her jaw, resulting in her only consuming soft foods and bearing only warm weather. Her struggle, now, is number one, receiving compensation and money from the VA, which is turning their back on her because her deployment was too brief to qualify for money or treatment, and number two, trusting males again (when we see her with her loving and devoted husband we see how nervous, unsettled, and provoked she feels with him in the room).

Aside from hearing cases and a number of devastating rape stories from women, Dick interviews lawyers who have worked on military rape cases and talks to a number of authors on the subject. One even states how that the punishment for rape is so lenient and miniscule that a person who has done drugs and is caught can be suspended for years, but a person who has raped another individual can be suspended for just a few weeks.

And if you believe this is a problem reserved for women then think again; 10% of men in the military are raped and we aren't deprived of hearing their shocking stories as well. One man who was a victim to the heinous crime states that it's a byproduct of the military's almost inherent homophobia, the outdated feeling of "the macho man," and the idea of power through narcissism. When will we, as a nation, overcome those three depressing qualities? It's hard to call The Invisible War "enjoyable" in the usual documentary-sense. It's one of the most impacting films of the year, and should be required classroom viewing at that. Director Kirby Dick is known for exploring institutions that are surrounded by grayness, such as the Catholic Church in Twist of Faith and the biased, inconsistent MPAA in This Film is Not Yet Rated. Unlike in those films, Dick remains silent, letting the larger stories speak first and him not giving his usual goofy spin on things. Considering how highly we praise and cherish our military, having this film come out, exposing the misogyny and disrespect to women in the male-dominated military, is a kick to the groin. Or possible a Miss Representation. As a viewer, you can decide.

Directed by: Kirby Dick.

An important exposé on rape in the military.

[texshelters · 10/10 · 23 July 2012]

The Invisible War not only us educates about the tragedy of rape in the military, about the cover-up of the crimes, but it educates us about the problem or rape in our society. The military commanders ignore and hide rapes and the statistics presented in the film of these crimes are important to note. I can't imagine anyone who actually saw this movie giving it less than an 8 ranking.

The interview of the victims is heartbreaking, and the interviews of those involved in the cover-up are aggravating. These women, and men, who face sexual assault in the military need our full support and the military culture must change. The movie is a powerful indictment of the military and a tribute to the strength of the survivors and their families and allies.

Peace, Tex Shelters

A must see film for all military community members

[angiedrake · 10/10 · 15 July 2012]

The Invisible War is one of the best documentaries I have ever seen. The directors present a difficult topic in a manner that is engaging but not overwhelming. The stories of several women and men are shared. We learn about each as the film progresses and just as a story seems to be overwhelming, we are given a chance to breathe, to relax, to learn a little more about the system itself, before diving into the devastating life stories again, not unlike a roller coaster ride.

Although this film presents the failures of the current DoD policy of Zero Tolerance for Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault, it is not a military-bashing production. In fact, the directors have done an excellent job showing pride in military service. One of the heart breaking conclusions I came to as a viewer is that the final blow for many of these women and men was that they were forced to abandon their military careers simply for reporting rape.

I have seen this film twice. The first time was a special screening before its major release in theaters. As a military wife, I immediately realized its importance to the military community and when the film arrived in Washington DC, I took three military officers with me to see it opening night. One of these officers was my husband, an active duty Colonel, the second was a male active duty Lieutenant Colonel, the third was a female Major in the Reserves. All three agreed that the film changed their perceptions of the current Zero Tolerance program conducted by DoD and that the film should be seen by more service members.

If you are in the military or know someone who is in the military, I cannot recommend this film highly enough. You will leave the theater understanding that the primary problem with Zero Tolerance isn't that women place themselves in dangerous situations but that sexual predators are attracted to the military environment and plan their attacks with precision. You will also understand that there is a direct connection between poor commanders and incidents of rape in that command. Too many of our officers are willing to turn a blind eye, often in the name of being fair.

The film concludes that It is only through higher rates of prosecution and a better awareness that victims are currently blamed more than they are believed that we can begin to tackle this difficult issue.

This is a film that will leave you wanting to do more.

This is an important film

[ntsongas · 31 October 2012]

As one of the founders of the U.S. House of Representatives Military Sexual Assault Prevention Caucus, I have written legislation that is now the law to help combat and prevent sexual assault in our armed forces and to help victims seek justice. "The Invisible War" is a moving and uncomfortable documentary about an unspeakable crime, and a culture that unacceptably turns a blind eye. It has been instrumental in focusing a national spotlight on a shocking issue that affects one in three returning female veterans. I am grateful to the makers of the film who went to extreme lengths to interview not only dozens of survivors, but also those who are working to break the pattern. This is an important film dedicated to ensuring that the stories of the courageous men and women it features, and the countless others who share their reality, receive the attention they deserve so that we can bring an end to the heartbreaking violence and injustice depicted in this film.

"The Invisable War" tells the stories of victims of rape in the military.

[manderson-40352 · 7/10 · 20 October 2015]

The Review

"The Invisible War," directed by Kirby Dick is an Oscar nominated documentary. The film explores the topic of sexual assault in the military from the perspective of 4 victims. The veterans share their truly heartbreaking stories. They show us the victim's family, and they comment on the assault as well. They all say the same thing, they were never the same. The title is more than fitting, of 3,374 cases of sexual assault reported only 484 cases went to trial and a mere 376 were actually convicted. But more than 70% of assaults go unreported.

They do interview some military officials and ask for them to comment. Their interviews seemed short and the interviewer may have been asking bias questions. They asked the head of the Prevention of Sexual Assault campaign how many cases go unreported. The women stated that she did not have that information, the interviewer then asked another question regarding unreported assaults. She again said she didn't know that information. The director made her look not credible and depicted her as stupid.

The film explores what they believe to be a reasonable solution to the rising number of assault cases. They believe that crimes in the military should be prosecuted by an unbiased third party. Currently an officer's Commander acts as their judge, jury, and executioner. Most women are punished or shamed when they try to report a crime. Many can't report because the superior they report to was the attacker. But how do you prosecute an active soldier? You would have to pull their entire unit for a proper investigation. They would need witness statements, evidence, lawyers and everything else needed for a fair trial. Can we really afford to be taking active units out of their war zones? Our military needs to operate smoothly and seamlessly. If soldiers and officers are constantly being taken out of work to be questioned and to testify, how will we get anything done? Overall I thought it was a very compelling film, I just wish we could've gotten a more well rounded picture.

Extremely hard to sit through and watch and that's how you know it's so effective!

[Hellmant · 9/10 · 21 November 2012]

'THE INVISIBLE WAR': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

Heartbreaking documentary about sexual assault in the United States military and how it effects the soldiers involved (as well as their loved ones). It deals with ongoing unresolved cases and interviews victims of assault as well as military personnel, law makers, family members and others. The film was written and directed by filmmaker Kirby Dick (who also helmed the critically acclaimed 2006 documentary 'THIS FILM IS NOT YET RATED' and many others). The movie is extremely hard to sit through and watch and that's how you know it's so effective.

The film centers on a handful of sexual assault victims who are interviewed about their assault (or assaults in most cases) as well as joining the military, events leading up to the crime(s) and their troubles finding justice afterwards. It addresses many of the reasons why most victims can't find any sympathy or justice within the military system and argues that these cases should be handled outside their military units. Often the commanders investigating the cases are either friends with the suspect or the suspect being accused themselves. The film provides many shocking statistics and goes over the history of the problem in the military, which has been going on for multiple decades now. The filmmakers interview both female and male victims (which are frequently raped in the military as well).

The documentary is one of those films that's hard to review and rate because it's not entertaining or inspiring in any way (as it very much shouldn't be). It's extremely painful to watch and it's definitely not a film I can say I liked or enjoyed. That's how I know it's a great film though. It's disturbing, informative and also very emotional. The testimony by the victims and their friends and family members is gut wrenching. Many of those being interviewed are often very open in their discussion of the subject matter and have a very hard time holding it together emotionally. The film feels very honest and genuine above all else. It's definitely a well made documentary as well as a very important and informative one. It's of course not one anyone will look forward to (or enjoy) watching but it's one that should be seen by most everyone, all the same.

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A harrowing, important subject doesn't always make for a compelling documentary

[octopusluke · 6/10 · 10 December 2012]

American female soldiers are more likely to be raped by a fellow service member than killed by enemy fire. Only 14% of those attacked come out and report their abuse, and only 8% of men accused with sexual assault are prosecuted. Such disconcerting facts make up the bulk of provo documentarian Kirby Dick's Oscar-shortlisted documentary The Invisible War (whose previous documentaries include Twist of Faith and This Film is Not Yet Rated). Treating the issue as an epidemic and plague, Dick confronts the subject, the witnesses and the culprits head-0n, and certainly doesn't give us much in the way of respite.

A very tough movie, aside from the increasingly traumatic, revelations of misconduct, the subsequent cover-ups and the quasi-normalised nature of such events, Dick shouts the issue at us with continuous factoid title cards and harrowed talking head interviews with victims of rape and abuse, their families, and blind-sited state officials. Although some of these interviews have the desired impact, an onslaught of them for three quarters of the movie borders on the aggressive and exploitative. It's cold, neither cinematically compelling or emotionally engaging, and some more personal touches, credible investigative journalism or involved authorship would have stopped The Invisible War from feeling like a lecture that berates the ill-informed audience.

Even if the documentary structure is formulaic and forgettable, the subject matter certainly isn't. Allegedly the biggest cover-up in the USA's military history, Kirby Dick gives a voice to the voiceless, and the film has already made significant changes: shaking up the Secretary of Defence, bureaucratic case handling and encouraging victims to oust their attackers. Baby steps in the right direction, The Invisible War is an aggravated and enraging documentary, but no doubt an important one too.

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Shame on our military.

[ckdos2 · 9/10 · 25 May 2016]

What I saw on this Doc is a National Disgrace, and I can imagine what women and certain men also endure in foreign occupations.

So girls...as I see it, the only way you're going to have a career in the military is to be tall, muscular, have a black belt in martial arts, carry a concealed knife or other blunt object and not be afraid to smash a chair over a drunk's head or crash your booted foot across his face. No make-up or revealing clothes...please.

Never, ever drink in a military man's presence and if forced to then carry a secret empty container in your pocket in which to pour your shots and then off to the toilet.

The military is no dream job and unless you can face the truth stay in a civilian home girl's job. You were accepted into the military because it needs meat to throw to the hungry predators. Wake up and get some street smarts and so sorry. Keep on fighting for your rights, but accept the truth about humans because they are capable of ANYTHING.

Depicting a serious issue that shpuld be addressed

[jordondave-28085 · 7/10 · 20 April 2023]

(2012) The Invisible War DOCUMENTARY Co-written, directed and interviewed by Kirby Dick possessing an examination of sexual harassment and assault victims within the US military, with interviews spawning from war veterans, who has served since the Vietnam war all the way through to the war in Afghanistan and Iraq. One of the problems I had with this is that we don't even get to see the people who're accused of this which makes these stories so one-sided , but it could be the result that there are no protocol in place to expose the perpetrators who're accused even though the victims have the physical scars to prove it including DNA. I also don't think that all people who's served within the US military all do this, and that there should be some protocol put in place to ensure that people who're serving in general shouldn't have to put up with this since some recruits may already have a questionable background. From watching this documentary makes one to think that perhaps if people who are motivated to joined the US military also needs to have a background check before allowed to join.

Breaking The Hypnotic Trance To Keep The Abuse A Secret!

[cathys848 · 10/10 · 23 June 2012]

"Speak up.. speak up... speak up. The only one you will scare away is your future x husband" and our future x military service! (Reviving Ophelia)

Three cheers for the sexual assault survivors who are speaking up both in this documentary and in their lawsuit.

Yes it really did happen!!

It is a criminal justice issue and a human rights issue!

Sexually abused individuals often go into a hypnotic trance to keep the abuse a secret and know what it feels like to be in the perpetrators shoes.

Breaking the silence, is breaking the trance that perpetuates the cycle of abuse!

As a therapist with some experience working at the rape crisis center, I was horrified just observing the affect of the patriarchal woman in charge of the sexual assault prevention program. All she could talk about was the buddy program as if this would stop predators stalking their prey?

One rape survivor was blamed "what can you expect for walking down a hallway alone with a bunch of drunken soldiers in each room".

The military must attract extreme narcissists and alcoholics who are so cut off from their own feelings that they do not honor others.

I pray that the survivors will have a successful appeal and the military will be held accountable for these injustices!

A scathing, provoking, and even infuriating documentary, it puts your emotions through a workout.

[Ryan_MYeah · 9/10 · 11 January 2013]

Kirby Dick's The Invisible War is an unsettling and scathing examination of sexual assault within branches of the US military (the Army, Marines, Air Force, etc.) that dives into its topics with various levels of emotional involvement. The interviews of the victims are raw, unfiltered, and unflinching, and are, indeed, very tragic. To also see the corruption and lengths to cover up and distract from the truth – such as unintentionally hilarious commercials advising about assault in the army – is practically infuriating. Kirby Dick makes for a strong interviewer, nailing his topics, letting the victims speak their mind, and leaving the guilty parties shaking in their boots, trying and failing miserably to lie through their teeth. Emotions will be put to a workout.

****1/2 out of *****

and this is America, this is the u.s. military, this is the cover ups!

[rightwingisevil · 24 October 2012]

so you love your country, you love the military, you are patriotic, and you come from the military family tree, you love the uniform, you love the g.i. bill. when you are under fire, you rely on your soldier comrades to help you fighting back and remain alive. but when you are raped, all these kind of illusion are gone, your whole life is shattered, you suffer untreatable damages not just your body but your soul, your faith, your patriotism. all those you believed before suddenly become lies. the united states military forces suddenly become a huge monster that you would never know how to deal with. these accusations only fall on deaf ears. suddenly you become a slot, an adulterer, a shameless bitch, damaging the military reputation. the raped ones not only become the victims when they were raped by either their comrades or their superior ranking officers. so they are threatened to become a second-time victims. where is the justice, where are the constitution rights and human rights for those who were being raped and continuously being raped? the American government always like to meddle with other countries' human rights but they can't even justify what their own citizens' basic human rights. the American government is the biggest lying and phony entity in the world and probably in the whole universe.

Very True

[akfiregirl · 10/10 · 31 October 2018]

This was very powerful and absolutely true. There is no recourse for victims in the military. They go after the victim and protect the predator in order that they can continue to hurt others. This should not be tolerated. Dr. Whitley and Major Hertog's views are just prolonging the issue and blaming the victim. If they we're in this situation they would understand how impossible it is to get any help. This is a real problem and I hope that it will not continue.

A movie presenting the startlingly large problem of rape and assault in the U.S. Armed Services

[Daegonfel · 9/10 · 16 March 2015]

In the United States Military, each branch of the armed services has an honor code that belies the ideals of principle, courage, and integrity that they strive to instill on each respective serviceman. The Air Force has "We will not lie, steal, or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does." The other services all have something similar to this that are spoken in the form of an oath when a serviceman is commissioned to be an officer. This movie shows how this code can be disregarded in the most horrendous ways. The fact that this is still a problem for the woman and men of the armed forces is a stain on our country's honor. There shouldn't be any fear of rape or assault by a fellow recruit, serviceman, or officer in a woman's—or man's—mind when he or she enters the organization that is responsible for our very safety. Due to this movie as well as the actions and voices of victims, supporters and policy makers, real change is starting to happen.

Personally speaking, the movie is very professionally made, engaging, and eye opening. All the claims they make are well supported by evidence and statistics, and the call for reform and change is a powerful message that is finally beginning to be heeded. I would highly recommend anyone that interested in the armed services, both male and female, should watch this movie. The message conveyed is a somber and important one. That said, I am not asserting that one shouldn't join the armed forces because of this problem, simply that anyone interested should make an informed decision on what they are getting into. This problem is being addressed, and hopefully in the future this problem will disappear completely.

An honest look at the severity of sexual assault in the US military.

[kjbova · 9/10 · 15 March 2015]

I've watched this documentary three times now, and I found myself losing no amount of shock or horror with each new viewing. This is how I know The Invisible War is such a good film: it doesn't get old, it can't get boring, and it won't become unimportant. Everything about this film was masterfully crafted to display its message, but it helps that the message is so powerful on its own.

I'd challenge you to find someone who will openly say sexual assault, harassment, and rape are not a big deal. Collectively, Western society agrees that it is morally wrong; but people are surprisingly reluctant to admit it is very common, rather than some horrible heinous act that happens once in a blue moon to unlucky ladies. It's estimated that one in four to six women will experience sexual assault in their life time (based on the women I know personally, this holds up). I'd slap a few more statistics down about the general population's rate of abuse if this documentary were about your common American city. It looks instead at a much more toxic environment with massively inflated numbers of sexual abuse victims: the United States military.

We're recounted the tales of several abuse victims, mostly women, as they discuss their experiences in the Navy, the Coast Card, the Army, the Air Force, you name it. Their stories are all incredibly similar: they come to proudly serve their country, work hard to prove they can work alongside the guys, form a strong bond of trust with their teammates, and quickly learn just how little that trust means to a few predatory men. Most end their service with a few of the following: severe injuries from the attack, pregnancies, STDs, convictions of adultery, an inability to form close bonds ever again, and of course severe PTSD. Many, if not all, attempt suicide and struggle with lifelong depression and anxiety. We're taken through in-depth accounts of several victims and the stark differences between their lives before and after their service.

The high rate of sexual assault within the military is not surprising, given the culture of hyper-masculinity necessitated for war. What IS surprising is how little military officials and higher-ups do to aid victims and punish perpetrators. The film explores the complex hierarchy struggles that allow for this abuse of power (many of the rapists are commanding officers) and the lack of support given to victims after the fact. Injuries attained from other servicemen are not covered by military health care or subsidies, for instance. So these people are violently assaulted, causticly dismissed when they ask for help, watch the perpetrators walk free to repeat offend, given no honorable discharge when they leave, and not even given coverage for their mental and physical health costs.

The film allows for no confusion about the stance the military representatives take on sexual assault: dismissiveness. Interviews with committee members utilized in the film reveal how the logic of their inaction is built on old, well-liked lies.

It does end on a positive note: people are beginning to take action, largely because of the attention this documentary has gotten. Steps are very slowly being taken to protect the people who protect us.

A powerful documentary

[JohnDeSando · 21 August 2012]

Rape in the military is about as thorny and intractable a problem as deciding whether to go to mid-east war or not. The Invisible War solidly makes the argument that the military judicial process for rape is deeply flawed, if only because commanders are given the absolute right and power to determine how the accusations are handled.

Think about it: the commander could be the assailant or a friend and can dismiss a case with little recourse for the aggrieved soldier. This documentary hammers home both statistically and in practice how frustrating the process can be, sometimes leading to suicide. A recent court decision that rape is an "occupational hazard" doesn't help anything.

At the least, husbands and wives become tense or split; rarely is a marriage unaffected by the rape. For singles, the sympathy is not overwhelming, and without a support group, it is lonely out there to take on the chain of command. In a macho world where team attitude is high priority, rape allegations are not welcomed, especially if the rapist is the commanding officer.

As I find in many documentaries, only one side is examined (Michael Moore being the leading exponent of the lopsided argument). In the case of The Invisible War, we are well served with victims who get no satisfaction, but we don't experience fully the case where the accused is found to have been wronged by the accuser. However, the doc does an effective job with the stories of women who accused but rarely gained a conviction.

The percentage of adjudicated cases where the accused is found guilty is small. Given the thousands of allegations, that number seems too small. At any rate, after seeing this documentary, Secretary of Defense made a bold decision that confirms the efficacy of a well-made documentary.

War is Hell...Not war is Hell too

[Richie-67-485852 · 8/10 · 16 June 2015]

I was a male rape counselor for two years for a city in California. I am pro-women and have even wrote a book called PEARLS FOR GIRLS IN SEEKING CUPID Don't BE STUPID. I said all that to say this. The world is not ultra friendly in favor of women so that puts the responsibility on men to include them and their welfare along with our own. Therein lies the problem. Men, help themselves to women instead of helping them. Plain and simple. Women also play a role but not as portrayed like asking or wanting to be raped. NO. They fail to listen to their common sense and in some cases find it prudent to go along to survive. There is no formal training on what to do if raped in a state of peace. If they were drugged, its even worse. In civilian life, bringing a perpetrator to justice harms the victim more than the defendant. One trial I attended just smeared the woman who was drugged. I applaud them for surviving and then having to endure the aftermath both public and private. In the world of the military, if a commanding officer says to do or not do, then it is law. So how come rape exists? If I was a colonel, I would have everyone assembled and make this announcement. The first time I hear of any sex complaints involving any of you, I will end your life as you know it. This is your heads-up. After this, heads roll. Dismissed! Then, all officer and non-coms are to support that right down to where they all live and breath. The weeding out of the trouble-makers is commands responsibility. I will say this too because it has to be said. Please, no arguments either. The idea of women in the military may work if isolated and directed. This coming together is asking for trouble similar to letting to teen-age kids date alone. I stayed on Camp Lejeune base for a week. All I saw was walking talking testosterone "on" trained killers with nothing to do. If we had an enemy at the time, the Marines would kill them all just to release their pent-up training, egos, hormones and purposes. Barring that, there were fights, drinking and other things that free time with nothing to do brings about. Having women in this situation is not smart unless training, direction, instruction and correction is strictly enforced. If a military female was taken captive by enemy forces, history teaches that they are the spoils of war. The military itself sees it as a calculated risk of which I report with sadness. I'm sorry but it is true. Yet, I would fight to the death to prevent that happening or to effect a rescue because it is the right thing to do. If one of us was captured and tortured, then all of us suffer until it is corrected. The idea of preying on a someone who is on the same side is revolting. Thank you for this fine reporting of a most delicate subject matter. One very important last thing. Those that are in power, who can shake and move and make changes need to take clear and precise action. If this is going on during your watch, you are part of it. Yes, YOU ARE

The Invisible War shows no one is safe

[dalydj-918-255175 · 8/10 · 27 December 2012]

"We are always told the armed forces will be our protection but this film shows that these people who protect us need as much probably even more protection then us from these evil people who never get punished"

The Air Force, Army and Navy are created in order to defend and protect a nation but the men who run these organisations are very corrupt especially when it comes to reports from women and sometimes men who say they were rapped. The film focus's in on specific women/men who have reported rape but there are many more reported as the film does say to inform the viewer that there are some horrible men out there who never take responsibility for their actions.

There are always two sides to every story I always say and this film presents us with the victim side of the story which most of the time is never believed and in some of these cases the accusation should almost be believed but is not. The film does present the side of the victim only because that is the aim of the film, they want us to feel sympathy towards these victims making the sexual assaulter's almost pure evil which in some of these cases they should be called. The film does speak to some high ranking people who see the justice system of the armed forces as being not as good as it could be especially when dealing with some of these cases. I always feel sympathy towards women who have been raped and it was hard to watch because I believed nearly every accusation because women would never want to lie about getting assaulted.

The main victims in the film are the ones that I believed the most because they seemed very shaken by the act. Kori Cioca seemed to start and end the story of the film as we saw her struggle with her injury but also have problems at home with her husband it seemed. Also i felt sorry for her because of how her story seemed too detail to be untrue which made me really want that person responsible for her assault to get charged somehow. All the stories were hard to hear and the film was smart to not just focus on women's problems but also in small scenes with men who were assaulted.

The film was great in showing us the inner war of these organisations and how more needs to be done when fixing the many problems that there are.

MOVIE GRADE: B

"An Occupational Hazard"?!?

[view_and_review · 8/10 · 18 January 2022]

Whether we're talking about the Catholic Church or the U. S. military, what's most perturbing and infuriating about the sexual abuse that happens within those institutions is the institutions and the response from those institutions. The institutions are viewed as sanctified and holy, or something that inspires awe or deserves reverence. Whoever is a member of those institutions, by extension, is viewed the same way, and in the case of the military they are viewed as brothers. Still, they are fallible humans in those uniforms. But the institution--the institution is bigger and largely infallible. So when the institution implements a system and culture of silence and cover up-- words can't express the level of fury and sadness.

"The Invisible War" is about sexual assault in the military and the subsequent dismissal of the complaints and the complainants. And when I say dismissal of the complainant I mean that their complaint is dismissed and in some cases they themselves are dismissed from the military while their attackers are lightly punished if they're punished at all. It is an emotional documentary that's difficult to watch, especially if you are in the military or sentimental about the military.

An eye opening Inspiration

[mastercata · 9/10 · 18 October 2015]

The Invisible War is a documentary directed by Kirby Dick. This film reveals to its audience the immorality of sexual harassment and sexual assault in the U.S. military. The film compiles the stories of several men and women who were victims of sexual assault. This is by far the greatest film directed by Dick. Dick has produced other works with a similar idea. The Hunting Ground is quite similar to the invisible war, but it deals with sexual harassment with college students.

Throughout his film he interviews the victims of sexual assault and how their dreams of serving their country turned into a nightmare. These individuals were proud to join the military and even put aside other opportunities to join. Unfortunately, their perspective of the military changed dramatically after being attacked by people who they had believed were the heroes of our great nation. In addition to their loss of purity, when they began to seek justice they were threatened and casted away as liars. Despite the astronomical number of sexual assault cases that continued to grow, the power to judge was given to their commanding officers who believed that their reputation was more important than the well-being of the men they commanded. After many years of unfair treatment, this power was taken away. However, the victims were still subject to difficult times. One of the victims in the film was seeking assistance for the Veteran's Hospital, but they continued to deny her for lack of evidence.

The film itself was to inform people that the military is not flawless and needs some work. Each interview was from a different branch of military. This film did an excellent job displaying to the audience that enlisted men and women could be potential victims of sexual assault/ harassment. It illustrated a great deal of pathos expressed through the emotional distress of the victims. This film would probably be more suited for sympathetic viewers.

The film also incorporates the everyday lives of the victims into the story, where it shows how the terror did not end when they left. Many experienced PTSD and were sometimes afraid to go out into the public and be exposed to men. This is a key element to the film that greatly added to the seriousness of the situation. It shows how sexual assault is not something that you can get over easily.

The film provided some statistics about how many cases were heard and not heard. 20% of women were sexually assaulted in the military which equates to 500, 000. This is an excellent element to add to this film and should not be taken out. However, the other statistics within the documentary about the cases was a little confusing.

Dick did add an interesting part to the film where all of the victims came together to make people aware of what happened to them publicly. This was an effort to help make some changes to the military and protect future soldiers.

Overall, the film is informative to those who wish to join the military and an inspiration to promote change in the military as well as in society. I would recommend this film to everyone, however, this is one of those films that I would not watch a second time due to the sensitive information it covers. Many people would stray away from a film like this but it is indeed excellent.

A Good Raising Awareness Film

[utbryce · 8/10 · 19 October 2015]

Here is a film that causes you to think. Like any solid documentary, this movie is very informative and somewhat depressing, since problems about rape in the military are being brought to light. But do not let that keep you from being able to appreciate inspiring stories told by brave women. Women who risk their very lives in hopes to bring about some sort of change, so that future women who enlist in the military can be protect. Just try not to watch it on a dreary day. The style of this documentary consisted mostly of interviews and followed the life of one veteran woman particularly. Near the end, it showed the government's involvement over the years, explaining how they've tried to step in and get money and awareness for this issue. It comes off as a dramatic film, making you feel sorry for each of the women and all they had to go through. For most people, it is relatable to their current situation in life.

I think anyone who have ever been a victim of something can relate to this heart-breaking film. The humanity of rapists are unreal. They go about these things with nothing to lose, and completely decimate the lives of these women. In the film, they bring up the fact that most of the rapists' lives are good and they've had little to no repercussions. One of the young families being followed in the film, was affected by rape tremendously. They experience reoccurring pain from the abuse of the rape offender and the neglect of the government to help. Because of her injuries, she no longer can go outside and play with her daughter. Instead she stands inside, watching while eating jello as a part of her only soft food diet. She gets put on hold for almost and hour just to find out if she is eligible for treatment that she desperately needs, adding to the mountain of pills she has to take every day. Activists looking to protest something would be all over this film, since this is a reoccurring problem that is not being changed. These tragedies were displayed very well and made for a good movie.

I believe this film did a wonderful job in presenting information in a way that moves you to want the government to do a better job in handling rape cases. One thing I noticed though, was that while they videoed one of the cases in great detail, it made the pace of the movie much slower. The other women's stories' are good, but not looked into as much as they could have been. As for the progression of the film, The barrage of advertisements for women in the military at the start of the film were very entertaining. Having come into this film not knowing what it would be about, I felt completely hooked after the intro. The information came from diverse locations and had many interviews clips from officers of different ranks and jobs. I felt like i could really trust the information and the filmmaker's raw footage feel really contributed to that. Several riveting facts about the number of rapes of women in the military were exposed. There were even some cases of male rapes that were hard to listen to. But in the midst of all this turmoil, a well made documentary was produced in order to combat this seemingly endless cycle of tragedy. For far too long have officers been telling women to "suck it up" after brutal accounts of rape. And this film might very well be the spark that restores honor in the military.

The War from Within

[estebangonzalez10 · 9/10 · 18 February 2013]

¨There is a right way, a wrong way, and the Army way.¨

Kirby Dick (This Film Is Not Yet Rated and Twist of Faith) directs yet another powerful and instrumental documentary that we hope will serve to change the policies towards the way the military is dealing with its sexual harassment and rape cases. This is something that requires immediate change and Dick does a terrific job of channeling that emotional anger through his interviews. He interviews several male and female ex military members who share their testimony of how they were sexually harassed and in many cases raped during their service. There are some very emotional and horrifying testimonies of what these people had to go through. They didn't get the battle scars from fighting abroad and protecting their country, they got them from within, from one of their own, and from the very people they considered their brothers and sisters. What is even worse wasn't that these people were simply raped, but that they were completely ignored by the officials who were in charge of overseeing their cases. The repercussions over rape reports are even worse than the act itself. The testimonies aren't just emotional; they are completely infuriating because these people still have to undergo through the pain and injuries suffered during that time without receiving any help from the people in charge. It's like they want to sweep everything under the rug, ignore their complaints, and protect the sexual predators that will (and probably have already) strike again. The testimonies aren't all recent, we have some that took place several decades ago which proves that no one is really dealing with the situation or taking them seriously. This documentary left me sad, angry, and horrified at the way these people are being treated. This is one of those documentaries that you hope produce immediate change and hopefully the government will begin taking action.

The documentary begins with footage of some cheesy military propaganda searching for new recruits. We then begin to hear several testimonies from ex military members ranging from the Army, to the Navy, to the Coast Guard, to the Marine Corps. They each share how excited they were to enter the military and serve their country, but what began with such high idealism ended up being a nightmare. Their hard work and high hopes were crashed when they were sexually assaulted and raped by other officers and in some cases officials. These people found it difficult to file a report because the people in charge of prosecuting them were usually friends of the assailant. No action was taken to defend the victims, on the other hand they were encouraged to cover it up and forget anything ever happened. They tried to blame them instead of finding fault in the predator. One of the most powerful testimonies comes from Kori and her husband Rob McDonald whose life we follow over a course of several months. Kori shares her testimony of how she was abused and raped. She was also hit in the face so hard that her jaw was broken. She is denied any military assistance and her sex offender continues to work in the military as if nothing ever happened. Kirby then shares some astonishing statistics by claiming that over 20% of female veterans were sexually assaulted while serving. This represents about half a million female veterans. How is this possible? The answer is pretty simple considering these sex offenders get away with their crime easily working in enclosed and controlled areas. The number of veterans who suffer PTSD due to sexual abuse is even higher than those who suffer that disorder from being in combat. All this information was really eye-opening and astonishing.

This documentary will leave you infuriated at the way these veterans are being treated simply because they have decided to share their experience and are trying to make their voice heard so some change comes in the way the military handles these cases and prosecutions. There are several emotional testimonies and in most cases these people have not found justice as no assistance has been given to them. There seems to be this wall of silence which only protects the guilty. We see several claims of military officials over the years claiming that they will take action and have zero tolerance, but nothing changes and the sexual harassment cases continue to pile up and investigations close. There is just too much compliance and covering up going on. The victims can't be punished anymore. There seems to be some abuse of power going on from the very people who are supposed to serve and protect. For those interested in more information about this documentary you can visit their website Notinvisible.com. I hope this documentary serves to open our eyes and force a change in the way prosecutions are being handled. This is a documentary we all need to see and share with others, especially if you or a loved one is thinking of joining the military.

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