Standard Operating Procedure

Documentary filmmaker Errol Morris' Standard Operating Procedure offers a coolly intense treatment of the Abu Ghraib scandal, combining the notorious photos of prisoners being mistreated at the Iraqi detention facility with interviews, dramatic recreations, quasi-hallucinatory graphics, and a hypnotic music score by Danny Elfman. Among those appearing here are five of the seven soldiers indicted for their actions, including Lynndie England—the young woman who became the poster child for the group—and Sabrina Harman, who manned the camera at Abu Ghraib. Although some will regret the lack of any wider treatment of the so-called War on Terror or even of the U.S. occupation, viewers will still have a sense of context, due to the descriptions of the hellish conditions at the prison and the harsh interrogation methods. And the film is especially valuable for pointing out the fact that while the abuse was ugly, the greater scandal was the cover-up that (characteristic of the Bush administration) punished the lowest-ranking soldiers while letting the higher-ups off scot-free. Ultimately, Standard Operating Procedure aims to encourage viewers to consider the effect that war has on all of us—from soldier to citizen—and while it may be only partially successful in achieving that lofty goal, the effort itself is commendable. Recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Errol Morris, nine additional scenes (26 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is bonus interview footage (featuring Tim Dugan, Hydrue Joyner, Steven Jordan, Jeremy Sivits, and Samuel Provance), a “Berlin Panel Discussion” and “Berlin Press Conference,” and a Los Angeles premiere Q&A with director Errol Morris. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a solid doc.] (F. Swietek)