User reviews

This incredible series should be watched by everyone. It chronicles the harrowing reality of the invasion that shaped the world as it is today. Watch it, you won't enjoy it much, because you're not meant to, but the people of Iraq have a story that deserves to be heard.

Where do I even begin, the series is brilliant in every single way it's a breathtaking, once you've seen it and seen the emotion that these people have inside them from these events they lived through and experienced. The archive of footage they show as brutal and barbaric as it is to look at it's so hard to look away at the same time because it's so hard to believe a lot of this isn't even fiction let alone that it all happened so recently. The people they interview every single ones perspective on this conflict is just so different and the way they talk and the role they played is fascinating.

Just finished the last episode of this amazing but heartbreaking series. Having been a part of the initial invasion back in March 2003 when I was in the British army, I have had a whole mixture of emotions watching this documentary. All those years ago I sort of knew what we were doing wasn't right. And then not even 2 weeks into the war when friends were killed, I certainly hated Tony Blair for sending us to Iraq. But it was still my job, and I was always proud of what I'd done in the army. What this series has done so brilliantly though, is capture the huge consequences of war through the eyes of its people. Beautifully told, it Shows you the harrowing stories of what people have had to endure, and the complete destruction of a nation in a 15 year bloody and horrific period. Just as any great film does, it has certainly had an impact on me. And has left me feeling slightly numb with the realisation that along with the U.S, we really did start a chain of awful and terrible events.

This is a series everybody should see, certainly a mr Blair and Bush, who should probably be in prison for war crimes.

Heartbreaking, brilliant and a must watch!

This incredible series of documentaries shows what really happened before, during and after the Iraqi war. Through archive footage and interviews with journalists, ex-soldiers and Iraqi people it lays bare the truth of the war, stripped of the allied media and political propaganda of the time. It's a tragic story, though very illuminating to see so many people admit and explain all the stupid mistakes made by the American and allies. Heartbreaking too to see the impact of this war on ordinary Iraqi families and individuals. There is no doubt that misplaced invasion and interference of the West into Middle-Eastern politics and culture sowed the seeds of the terrorist threat we all live with today. Should be required viewing for politicians and all leaders worldwide. Perhaps they could learn something from their predecessors' ugly mistakes.

If you only watch one documentary series this year please please please watch this, it's absolutely heartbreaking for both sides.

As an Iraqi whom lost family members during the 2003 invasion in Iraq, its so heartbreaking today to watch this, just like the Iraqi people I to believe that America should have NEVER involved themselves and whilst watching this series I was just so angry and frustrated with what happened and there's nothing anyone can do to change Iraq for the better. That's it. Iraq is dead.

Like every young millennial kid living outside of Iraq witnessing the country's invasion on TV in 2003, this docu-series brought back many memories for me. This version tells the story of Iraq in the final years of Saddam's reign and it's aftermath told from a people's perspective, those who were there on the ground (Soldiers, Journalist, Civilians etc). Each episode had me glued to my screen from start to finish. The final episode, the rise of ISIS, had me shaking my head in disbelief. Incredibly well done series!

Often, it is considered the worst thing to do nothing in the face of evil. But if we can only make things worse, then to do nothing is our duty. The tragedy of the West's involvement in Iraq is that, even if we take the interventionists claims of the best motives at face value, then the result was a predictable disaster, ruining the country and leading to part of it falling under the control of ISIS, an organisation that made Saddam Hussein's Ba'aath party seem benign in comparison. This series, comprising a series of interviews with Iraqis and Americans, is horrific and compelling. Perhaps the most interesting bits were the account of an American commander, slowly losing control (and with it, his ability to see the bigger picture); and the account of the semi-lawless execution of Saddam. The final chapter, the rise of ISIS, is sickening but no longer surprising. If the world is ever to be a better place, there are lessons here that no-one should be allowed to forget; but I fear another generation of would-be messiahs will in turn create their own wake of martyrs.

So sad. Hard to watch even harder to understand why. Why?

What an absolute indictment of western (US & UK) political and military incompetence, out of control squaddies, dimwitted politicians all mixed in with religious intolerance on the local side. Sure as hell Saddam was an evil murdering despot but worse then Bush/Blair et al made it?

This is the story mostly told by the people who were there and the absolute devastation caused to the locals. Perhaps the most harrowing documentary I have watched in a long time but really do yourselves a favour and watch it.

One of the best documentaries I've ever seen. It shows the story of Iraq from 2003 until now: How the US invade the country, overthrow Saddam Hussein and the rise of terror and ISIS. Incredible people in front of the camera. Journalists, Soldiers and Iraqis, who tell the story in their view.

I would like to start off by saying that I personally don't think the US should have ever gone into Iraq. I feel like most of these people crave dictator rulership and democracy simply goes against their core beliefs.

I really enjoyed the interviews of soldiers, civilians and journalists. It provided a really intimate view of the Iraq war/conflict that I've never seen before. I found the story of Aliyah Khalaf Saleh especially moving and she is absolutely on my list of heroes.

Overall I recommend this to anyone interested in a documentary on Iraq. It does clearly push a biased message, especially when covering presidents of the United States. I also feel like there was too little coverage of ISIS. There was no mention of the Yazidi atrocities, which was huge. There was also no mention of Kurdish help in defeating ISIS. I don't recall anything being mentioned about how much Iran meddled in everything.

Coverage of President Bush was overall negative, although a lot of that is probably deserved. Coverage of Obama was overall positive although it could easily be argued that his premature withdrawal from Iraq, against his Generals' advice, ultimately lead to ISIS gaining so much power. Only one line was even provided for President Trump even though he ultimately helped defeat ISIS and oversaw the removal of their leader.

Editing, music and audio clips are clearly put in key places to push a narrative.

The interviews are ruining an otherwise decent approach.

It's unfortunate that this documentary, like many others, is using staged interviews to add superficial depth.

Those interviews are disruptive, their content anecdotal at best, but mainly utterly meaningless.

Tell the story, report what's happended, but spare us the fake personal touch.

It's unfortunate how self-declared documentary creators can't refrain from going for a cheap sympathy vote.

It renders the series unwatchable from a viewing perspective, and dubious in terms of credibility.

Stick to facts, relevant commentary, and relevant interviews where necessary, ideally contemporary.

I was glued to my seat throughout each episode. This excellent documentary series gives an essential insight into the reality of the Iraq war. Honest, open interviews with civilians and soldiers are often stirring and sinister, but no matter the side they are on, their humanity along with their flaws are laid bare. I hope that both American and British politicians of those of the era including Cheney, Rumsfeld, Bush and Blair watch this, along with their current counterparts.

This series has been a massive eye opener for me. It'll stick with me for a very long time. An incredibly important series that should be seen by many people. The people on this show are remarkable, and they've endured so much. Their stories deserve to be heard.

Kudos to the very brave team which produced this remarkable programme. It reinforces that might is right and not right is might under USA mentality. How the perpetrators sleep at night is beyond belief. What a shameful and disgusting catastrophe inflicted on the country. This should be aired every Easter and Christmas in the USA, I propose.

To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction and they come rolling thick and fast in this awe inspiringly excellent story of the war in Iraq told by those who witnessed it from the front line of their lives as both civilians and combatants. The beautiful humanity of the story tellers is revealed in the telling of this terrible story in the sensitively shot faces against the black background of the studio, the camera lingering just long enough at times to pick up 'tells' of shared humanity within and sometimes in spite of the roles they played. I feel like I know and love each of them now myself. In spite of the grotesque events in each chapter of the war, these people show us that ultimately it is only love that actually triumphs. What a pity to waste so much human possibility in pursuit of other objectives. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to each of you who made it.

Once upon a time in Iraq is not for the faint-hearted, like me. I cried through all the episodes - witnessing the irreparable human suffering, and asking the question why.... The documentary tries to provide a multi faceted story with an aim to be realistic and objective - it provides experiences from Americans (military/political/families/journalists) , Iraqi youth, children and women (reflecting the sectarian divides too), as well as those who are still in Iraq and those who were forced to flee. It is very sad to watch, not knowing what, if anything you can do to make things change for the better.... there is a LOT of work waiting.

I could only manage one episode per evening. I love those Iraqi women. Soooo tough and beautiful. So many touching stories. Kudos to the director for getting these people to tell such stories

This is just that, destroy a country (have countless peopled killed by you or reactions from your "liberation") and get away with it. HOW is this possible? The same thing should happen to US an Britain , hopefully they will be liberated by Russia or China. I think they deserve it. I wander if still you can accuse Russia from annexing Crimea or China for supposedly reeducating the uyghurs. All superpowers are bad, but somehow US has the nerve to point fingers.

This is no doubt the best documentary series I've ever seen! Very well structured and described with personal stories. So overwhelming to see what war does to a country.

To everyone involved in this documentary series, thank you. For your honesty, your bravery and for bringing this to us. I've always known we should never have been in Iraq (I am British), lots of us felt we were there under false pretences. To see the outright devastation though is so shaming. This is what a documentary should be. Real people, from all walks of life sharing their most intimate stories. Utterly fascinating, harrowing and totally compelling. Please watch.

I absolutely love this series, it's incredible yet heartbreaking. Iraq invasion never should've happened really, I pray that one day, war consequences would come to an end so Iraqis get to live normal lives.

I grew up in Iraq as a British expat toddler in the mid 80s so my recollections of the country are hazy, however my father has told me the gory details of Saddam-era Iraq.

This documentary interviews everyone; Shia, Sunni, pro-Saddam, anti-Saddam, US special forces, and even ISIS.

Very insightful and also emotionally moving.

For anyone who is interested in Iraq (the cradle of civilisation) this is essential viewing.

Everyone must see this! Its beautifully laid out in all its tragedies. The different perceptions all coming to the same conclusion. This a country that hasnt seen peace due to foreign interference from the beginning. Bone chilling! Heart breaking. Their story needs to be heard!