Must be viewed NOW in the context of 10 years of war

Rating: 9/10 (3 March 2012)

I am appalled at the low marks given. Such must be judged in the context of what happened recently in Afghanistan when there was negligent burning of Korans by Americans followed by apologies. If ever there was a film which captures and accurately sums up the forces at work, wherever we may tread in the Middle East, this IS IT.
Now please note it was written and released PRIOR to 09-11-2001. Moreover, the performance by Guy Pierce was one of the best I have seen depicting a prosecutor at work in the military. I served in the Naval Legal Service Office in Norfolk, VA in the 1980s and he captured with accuracy the zeal of Marine prosecutors I have known. (It should be noted that he did an outstanding job in "L.A. Confidential".) I was duly impressed.
As for the performances of Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson, they were first rate as well. Ben Kingsley was also at the top of his game,too.
The production values were high and William Friedkin who directed both "The French Connection" and "The Exorcist" is more than able in this film. He captured effectively what we face whenever we have political dealings in the Middle East. I would counsel all who submitted critical reviews of this film to ask themselves, in light of current events, "Do you still hold that view?"