Crude

Big oil takes a drubbing in Joe Berlinger's documentary about the lengthy court case waged by two Ecuadorian lawyers and their clients—members of impoverished tribes who claim that their land was ravaged (and their health damaged) by pollution from Texaco's operations in the South American country over many years. Shooting both in Ecuador and the U.S., Berlinger introduces locals who testify to the dire effects of the petroleum giant's drilling and waste-removal equipment. Crude also looks at how public-interest groups have turned the campaign for justice into an international cause. But the emphasis here is on the legal battle against Chevron, which bought Texaco a decade ago and claims that the real culprit is the Ecuadorian oil company that took over the systems built by the American firm and supposedly failed to maintain them properly—a struggle that begins in U.S. courts but winds up in an Ecuadorian one. Berlinger covers both sides, including statements from Chevron lawyers and scientists (as well as drawing from a company film made for stockholders to present its point of view), but the documentary's sympathies clearly lie with the plaintiffs, as well as the two lawyers (treated as heroes by environmentalists), and American supporters such as attorney Steven Donziger. DVD extras include audio commentary by the director, deleted scenes, an interview with Berlinger and activist Trudie Styler, coverage of the Sundance and Ecuadorian premieres, and more. A powerful modern-day David vs. Goliath story, Crude is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)