Rating: 
Summary: Slander
Review: This documentary contains the infamous FLIR allegations that claim Federal Agents massacred Davidians as they tried to exit the compound. However, with the work of expert Ian William Goddard and the Maryland Advanced Development Laboratory (among others) conclusively showed that the FLIR "gunshots" were actually reflections of the thermal exhaust of the tank. This, along with the coroner reports (in public domain) of the Davidians show that they all died behind a brick wall with single shots to the head. This was ruled as suicide, seeing as how it would be impossible for Federal agents to fire through a brick wall and hit each of them in the head without missing a single shot. Thus, this documentary is slander against the US government and lies about the tragic fate of the Branch Davidians.
Rating: 
Summary: The scariest movie I have ever seen
Review: As one who has long been dubious of the morals and motivations of our elected leaders (regardless of party) and - even more so -the agencies (ATF, CIA, FBI, etc.) which supposedly answer to them, I was none too surprised by the revelations of the riveting 1997 documentary/expose, "Waco, The Rules of Engagement". Those revelations, in a nutshell, are as follows: that the ATF and FBI under the leadership of Janet Reno and the Clinton Administration murdered some 86 men, women and children after a 51 day siege. Now, that these allegations do not surprise me may say more about me than it does about the state of political reality in this country - I am willing to concede that - but this is a powerful piece of film making which goes a long way toward confirming any suspicions of corruption and "Big Brotherism" myself and like minded people may have entertained.
I know nothing about the filmmakers - their political leanings, religious beliefs and favorite colors are a mystery to me - but it seems a fair bet they lean to the left. I make this observation because this film is thus far my only source of information regarding the Waco tragedy and I have no idea how objective it is or is not. It seems that there is a definite bias in favor of the Branch Davidians but, in light of the more than compelling evidence presented here against the ATF/FBI, the objectivity of the filmmakers almost seems a moot point. One of the more powerful pieces of this evidence is the testimony from the inventor of the FLIR infrared filming technology and the report of an independent lab, both stating that the film shot from an airplane during the raid of April 19, 1993 indicates automatic gunfire directed against the burning Branch Davidian "compound" - contrary to the FBI claim that their personnel fired no shots.
Much contested also was the issue of who fired the first shots at the beginning of this whole sorry situation - the ATF or the Branch Davidians? This also is rendered a moot point, for me at least, by the fact that the government chose to issue a supposed search warrant (for illegal weapons) to David Koresh via a veritable army of ATF personnel in full combat gear. I don't claim to be familiar with police procedure, much less the arcane workings of agencies like the ATF, but this seems to me like a show of force that is meant to be intimidating and confrontational. It seems perfectly clear that the authorities had no intention of resolving their issues with David Koresh (and these are issues that touch all of us profoundly ' freedom of religion and the right to bear arms, for instance) in a peaceful manner. I have no sympathy with the teachings and lifestyle of the Branch Davidians. They may have broken some laws (and let us please consider that just because legislation is passed does not mean it is right) regarding weapons and, perhaps, underage sex. Whatever they did or did not do, the treatment they received at the hands of the FBI and ATF was inexcusable, shameful, and inhumane. Did the United States government willfully murder its own citizens with not even a semblance of due process in Waco in 1993? Until I find more compelling evidence to the contrary, I must, unfortunately, say yes. Please watch this film and decide for yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Absolute Must See (If You Care About Our Country)
Review: Though I'm sure I'm one of Amazon's earliest and best customers, this is the first time I've ever reviewed anything here. A link in my email took me here, and I saw that the average customer review was only 4.5. What were these people thinking? I had to see. On a scale of one to five, this movie is a seven at least. I first saw it at its premier showing in a New York City theater. After the movie had been shown there was an hour discussion period with the directors. Janet Reno had been invited, but she declined to appear. There were dozens of questions from the audience. A most interesting thing about the questions and answers, I thought, was that with one exception I could not guess where anyone who asked or answered stood on the political spectrum. Afterwards I spoke to Amy Gifford (one of the directors) and I mentioned this observation to her. I asked her directly about her own politics. She replied, "We don't usually like to say. But since you asked, I'd say I'm on the left." She added that this was the sort of issue that brought left and right together. Other reviewers who suggest that this movie or its producers are biased must still have the Ozzie and Harriet view of America. Watch this movie. You will be surprised at how many well spoken Black people died in the conflagration. Watch this movie, and listen to "These Boots are Made for Walkin'" being blared at the compound from your government's loudspeakers as the Davidians tried to sleep. I mean really listen. Listen to the lyrics. "You keep thinkin' that you'll never get burned. I just found me a brand new box of matches. ... One of these days, these boots are gonna walk all over you." Watch all the tanks, and attack helicopters, and blazing guns attacking a place where Americans lived. Watch the flashes on the FLIR video your government says are reflected sunlight, but the man who invented FLIR and anyone with half a brain can tell are your government machine gunning its own citizens as they attempted to flee from the rear of the burning building. Watch it, and weep for America. (Then lend it to a friend.)
Rating:
Summary: What A Crock
Review: This video makes masterful use of inuendo and manipulation, a truly excellent propaganda piece. Unfortunately, this work by people I have no reason to rely upon contradicts the evidence uncovered by Congress (although they quote selected segments out of context), and the evidence (even the negative evidence) reported by the Treasury Department. The Justice Department, unfortunately, whitewashed the FBI's actions with a "nobody did anything wrong" report. Nevertheless, the contrast between evidence supported by facts, and the slanted foolishness of this video, is astonishing. Having read some of the reviews by the video's makers and that odd assortment of flat-earth conspiracy freaks, I'm tempted to sell them tickets on the moon bus leaving next month. I'd make a fortune :-)
Rating:
Summary: Freedom of religion--until the government doesn't like you.
Review: The Davidians had unusual religious views, but I thought that you were allowed to have unusual religious views in this country. In fact, wasn't this country *founded* by people who who were searching for a safe place to practice their unusual religious views? Even granting all the main objections--they were stockpiling weapons, waiting for an armageddon, would not surrender to authorities--how can it ever, ever be right to plow men, women, and children under tanks? They had no trial; they were convicted of no crimes. They were just murdered. Shame on those officials--who are filmed walking around John-Wayne style, obviously looking for a fight--who are still today free men, not charged with any crimes. If this movie doesn't make you sit up and take notice that your government--or parts of it, at least--are running amok, nothing will.
Rating:
Summary: Required Viewing
Review: This should be required viewing for all high school students. It's disturbing that some current senators and congressmen will defend the actions of the FBI and ATF with regard to Waco. Their credibility for me is forever lost. Is there something in the constitution that exempts law emforcement officals from a trail by jury when they cause the needless deaths US citizens? I am 56 years old. Seeing the conduct of the ATF, FBI, Congress, and Senate I am ashamed of being an American. This event should not be forgotton. Only exposing this to daylight do we have a chance of not repeating it.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, Informative
Review: With the exception of the tracking on the VHS tape, its still a great video. When I watched it, I found out something I didn't previously know about the Waco massacre. I don't want to spoil it here but as the branch Davidian compound was burning down, they showed footage of gun fire coming from the compound. (I never saw that on the news or in other Waco documentaries) The shooting lastest for about a good 5 minutes till they all burned to death. Everyone in Congress were on their feet watching the final minutes of the Davidian's lives.
Rating:
Summary: From correspondence to a friend, 28 February 1999
Review: "... [Waco: The Rules Of Engagement] is a documentary made in 1997 about the events surrounding the siege laid by the FBI against the compound in which were cowering (well, I certainly would have been cowering) David Koresh (previously known as Vernon Howell) and his Branch Davidian followers... I went to see the film because it had achieved widespread favourable reviews (I don't normally do that kind of thing, as I consider "reviews" in their conventional sense to be grossly subjective and not to be taken at all seriously) and because tonight was, to the best of my knowledge, its last Melbourne screening. "For a while I wasn't enjoying it - the opening consisted of a rather incoherent collage of images and sounds - but by the end I was, to be honest, sad and unusually moved. I shan't bore you with an outpouring of polemic - in a nutshell, it prompted me to think at some length (well, for me) about how disturbing it is that governments can be unaccountable to any rational, independent body for their actions, which can be at times outrageous and, if my interpretation of Waco: The Rules of Engagement... is at all valid, grossly inhumane. Suffice it to say that the footage of one survivor of the siege breaking down in tears before the entire United States Congress as he described being trapped in the burning compound was uniquely unsettling. "There endeth my ranting. I hope that it wasn't too vague or pretentious - one of my failings is that ....."
Rating:
Summary: Not Just for the Paranoid
Review: This video is a very professional, insightful, detailed and disturbing look at a great American tradegy. The facts speak for themselves, and the disturbing conclusions are a rally cry against government abuse. Perhaps somewhat biased, but only because the facts lean in the same direction.
Rating:
Summary: Very, very compelling and disturbing
Review: This is a very disturbing video. While not entirely even-handed, it does allow much opportunity for the FBI, ATF and DOJ to spin their versions of the events and (possibly) outright lie. The video often compares versions of events between the government and Davidians. I, in no way, condone Koresh or his version of Christainity but many innocent women and children died at Waco. Scenes of ATF/FBI personnel macho grandstanding make them come off little better than those inside. There are apparently as many "gun nuts" in the government as not. I have real problems with that kind of attitude where innocent lives are involved. The goal should have been to prevent deaths and not inciting a more active and deadly response. Would anybody have really cared whether or not the situation lasted another week or two if 86 people wouldn't have died? We will never know who really fired the first shots as neither side has any credibility on this issue. The fact that survivors were not convicted of murder of the 4 agents projects the feelings of the jury that the Davidians had some rights to self defense. The extensive use of armored vehicles and CS gas against domestic targets is very depressing indeed. Place this with Ruby Ridge and you get the feeling that Clinton justice is very misguided, hypocritical and way out of control. I wonder why.
| 
