The rules of engagement explores the shocking revelations behind the tragic series of events outside waco, texas that killed four federal agents and 76 members of the branch davidian religious sect. In 1997, director william gazecki made a stunning debut with his nowinfamous documentary, waco. On april 19 1993, fbi agents attacked and burnt down the compound belonging to the branch davidian sect at waco, texas. The resultant film, with dan gifford narrating, combined fbi negotiation tapes. The rules of engagement is the first fulllength documentary film to present the complete picture of the series of events outside. Watching william gazeckis remarkable documentary waco. The rules of engagement, is a documentary about the tragic series of events outside waco, texas that killed 76 men, women and children of the branch davidian religious sect. Laut hbo wurde dieser film im jahre 1997 freigegeben. It was nominated for an academy award in 1998 and won an emmy award in 1999. The rules of engagement stars dan gifford, clive doyle, jack harwell, dick j. I know that this event inspired the oklahoma city bomber.
The rules of engagement walks viewers through every step that led the government to its final attack. The rules of engagement william gazecki, usa, 1997 thursday 17 april 2003 10pm11. The rules of engagement 1997 full documentary blake stone. Documentary waco the rules of engagement waco the rules. Fifth estate productions a documentary film about the series of events that occurred outside waco, texas in april 1993 in which 4 federal agents were killed along with 86 men, women and children of the branch. The rules of engagement, william gazecki, talking on the making of the movie. The rules of engagement is the first fulllength documentary film to present the complete picture of the series of events outside waco, texas during 1993 that resulted in the shooting of 4 federal agents and the deaths of 86 men, women, and children of the branch davidian religious sect. Nominated for an academy award for its incredible discoveries, waco. Nominated for an academy award and winner of both an emmy and the ida feature award, this scathing look into the other side of the story opened a lot of eyes. The rules of engagement a reassessment of the tragedy at waco that left 76 members of the branch davidian religious sect dead. The rules of engagement, show what happens when elements within the federal government, equipped with a large, militarygrade arsenal and beyond the effective scrutiny of a genuine, operational press. The rules of engagement 1997 this documentary about the 1993 showdown between the fbi and the branch davidians in waco, texas, presents an alternate theory about the tragedy. The rules of engagement 1997 directed by william gazecki.
The rules of engagement is a muckraking condemnation of the governments handling of its 1993 raid on the branch davidian compound in waco, texas. Seventysix davidians died, including women and children. The rules of engagement, i am more inclined to use the words religion than. This documentary makes the most of footage and recordings to examine how the events that led to the tragedy of april 19, 1993, unfolded, and how the fbis unrelenting approach made what was already a bad situation much worse. In one of the most tragic faceoffs in the history of law enforcement, the deadly debacle at waco pitted the branch davidian sect against the fbi in an allout war. The rules of engagement is a deeply thoughtprovoking and intriguing account of the complete picture of the series of events outside waco, texas during 1993, undertaking a detailed examination of the interaction between david koresh, his members, and federal law enforcement. The rules of engagement is a documentary about the real life events. Within the few years following the events of february 28 through april 19, 1993, some investigations were completed, hearings held, and reports filed.
By now, most people are familiar with the atfs account of the raid, but waco. The rules of engagement brings forth devastating evidence of federal law enforcement gone. The rules of engagement is the first fulllength documentary film to present the complete picture of the series of events outside waco, texas during 1993 that resulted in the shooting of 4 federal agents and the deaths of 86 men, women, and children of. Nominated for an academy award for best documentary in 1997, waco.
The rules of engagement is a highly detailed examination of the interaction between david. The coordination between the media and government is by far the most important takeaway from this film. In this provocative documentary, the events leading up to the tragic 51day standoff between the united states government and religious leader david koreshs branch davidians in 1994 are seen in. The rules of engagement is a provocative story behind the story account of the 1993 clash between federal agents and members of the branch davidian religious sect. This film is of course a conspiracy theorists dream come true however this sprawling work spins a human and psychological dram so complex that if it were a work of fiction it. The rules of engagement part 16 the 51day fbi siege of the mount carmel compound and its branch davidian inhabitants in waco, texas, began feb. To say that gazecki presents a different side of the sensitive issue is not to say that his film presents a onesided view of koresh and his followers as martyrs. Using interviews, news footage, testimony before congress, and infrared photographic analysis, the film relentlessly chips away at the governments story that david koresh and his followers were a dangerous cult involved in strange sex. Yes, the branch davidians had some strange beliefs, but no weirder than those held by many other religions. The events leading up to and occurring on april 19, 1993, as well as the congressional investigations that followed, all of it recorded in waco. David thibodeau told by survivors, news clips and audio recordings of david koresh.
New information came out after the oklahoma city bombing, since the tie between waco and mcveighs actions were irrefutable. Waco was theatrically released in 1997 and has aired on television. The rules of engagement by fiona hughes, the vancouver courier, 19971008 politicians wonder why cynicism is rampant toward government the disturbing waco. The rules of engagement is the first fulllength documentary film to present the complete picture of the series of events outside waco, texas during. Waco the rules of engagement waco the rules of engagement 1997 is a narrative documentary by william gazecki about the contention that occurred in 1993 between the branch davidians, a chip gathering of religious apocalyptists, and the atf and fbi in waco, texas. Director william gazeckis documentary on 1994s 51day siege at the branch davidian compound in waco, tx, which ended with the destruction of the compound by fire and the death of 70 members inside, is a strong and compelling piece of journalism that raises reasonable and troubling questions about how the fbi and the atf bureau of alcohol, tobacco, and firearms handled the matter. Waco actors on acting reallife characters duration. Reavis the movie has a runtime of about 2 hr 45 min, and received a score of out of 100 on. The rules of engagement dissects the evidence behind the standoff in waco, texas that led to the destruction of the branch davidian homestead and the alleged government coverup. The rules of engagement this video is a commentary by the director of waco. A reassessment of the tragedy at waco, texas that left 76 members of the branch. The rules of engagement, i am more inclined to use the words religion than cult, and church center than compound.
The rules of engagement is a 1997 historic documentary about the waco, texas incident in 1993. I dont fault the movie since this was likely designed as a further examination into an. She only had a 97% conviction rate in miami because she never prosecuted any but. The rules of engagement is a 1997 documentary directed by william. The rules of engagement, produced by dan gifford, an alumnus of pbss macneillehrer newshour and cnn, his wife, amy sommer gifford, and veteran documentary maker, william gazecki, was nominated for an academy award in the documentary category. This is an extraordinarily highquality production, both for the actual film making and the analysis it presents. David koresh was the leader of a christian sect whose followers all huddled in a heavilyarmed compound, before having a standoff with united states law enforcement and military. Rules of engagement 1997 documentary the daily coin.
I was only 5 but i remember faintly mom talking about it. The rules of engagement is a 1997 documentary directed by william gazecki about the 1993 waco siege, a 51day standoff beginning with the february 28 bureau of alcohol, tobacco and firearms assault on the branch davidian church and home outside of waco, texas and ending with the april 19th federal bureau of investigations assault on the building which killed most of the inhabitants. The rules of engagement is an altogether draining and utterly gripping indictment of us law enforcement agencies, media double standards and government impotence. And it is pretty clear, on the basis of this film, that the original raid was staged as a publicity. The rules of engagement was nominated for an academy award for best documentary in 1997.
1229 104 1250 388 1425 510 1263 811 485 1160 1429 649 1326 1035 643 1166 314 1588 544 1577 843 1366 1130 1479 218 624 598 270 1247 1002 139 1358 450 60 1268 650 826