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Gunner Palace

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Gunner Palace

PG-13

Released Mar 4, 2005

1h 25m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

105 Reviews

66%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Filmmaker Michael Tucker makes the journey to war-torn Baghdad to follow the lives of the American troops who make up the 2/3 Field Artillery unit, otherwise known as "The Gunners," as they fight in the Iraq War. Taking up residency in a former palace of Uday Hussein -- Saddam Hussein's son -- the soldiers contemplate their mission while hoping to survive another day as they perform patrols and raids, ever fearful of suspicious packages that could spell their end.

Critics Consensus

A shapeless documentary, but shows what's it like for the soldiers on the ground.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Gunner Palace isn't a particularly violent movie...but every moment is fraught with the potential for violence.

Mar 13, 2018

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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: A-

Feb 18, 2012

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Peter Howell

Toronto Star

Tucker takes it all in without taking a stand, though his sympathies -- expressed through voiceover narration -- clearly lie with the men and women in the field.

Rated: 3.5/4

Apr 15, 2005

Full Review

David Walsh

World Socialist Web Site

The film captures the fear and outrage of those Iraqis unfortunate enough to fall into the hands of US forces.

Feb 15, 2021

Full Review

Mark Halverson

Sacramento News & Review

Rated: 4/5

Aug 7, 2008

Full Review

Jason Gorber

Film Scouts

A powerful film, going beyond the casualty statistics and minute-long news clips to provide a sense of what it must be like for the guys and girls over there.

Rated: B

Jun 21, 2007

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Bahad j

The idea behind this movie moved me a lot, but it was a movie with really satisfying expectations

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/31/24

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Geke g

Astonishing filming idea and fine cinematography

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/27/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Stupid, terrible music. Sad to see some get killed. Realistic look at Iraq

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

Audience Member

watched this in class a few weeks ago. Interesting take on the war.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Gunner Palace is a riveting documentary about the Iraq War. Director Michael Tucker plunges us deep in the action and gives something we would not normally see. This is a raw and gritty documentary that shows us what war is really like. Gunner Palace plunges deep in the action, and it is a riveting documentary that will certainly appeal to viewers interested in warfare. Along with Restrepo, this is one of the best films on the subject of modern war. Everything you see is unique, intense and unforgettable. I thought that the material was riveting and exciting due to the fact that it's not something that we wouldn't normally see. Gunner Palace is a finely crafted picture that is among the finest documentaries in recent memory. This is a must see for viewers interested in the subject of the war in Iraq. This is unfiltered to show you exactly how it is, and a lot of it is shocking, but all very real. Gunner Palace is sure to appeal to war buffs, and if you're interested in war and military subjects, then give this one a shot. The film gives you a taste of what it's like, and it is entertaining from start to finish. You're on the edge of your seat from the first frame onwards as we see the men constantly in harm's way. This is a riveting film that is sure to make you think and appreciate what Military personal go through. If you're looking for a great documentary to watch, then Gunner Palace is the one for you. Films like this are great to watch because we get to see something that we'd never see due to the fact that many people nowadays are interested reality TV. However this is real, and for that reason it makes it that much more interesting.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The ridiculous narration lowers the tone to the point where it feels like "COPS: Iraq."

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

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Petra Epperlein

Director

Michael Tucker

Director

Michael Tucker

Producer

Petra Epperlein

Producer

Michael Tucker

Cinematographer

Petra Epperlein

Film Editing

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Synopsis

Filmmaker Michael Tucker makes the journey to war-torn Baghdad to follow the lives of the American troops who make up the 2/3 Field Artillery unit, otherwise known as "The Gunners," as they fight in the Iraq War. Taking up residency in a former palace of Uday Hussein -- Saddam Hussein's son -- the soldiers contemplate their mission while hoping to survive another day as they perform patrols and raids, ever fearful of suspicious packages that could spell their end.

Director: Petra Epperlein, Michael Tucker
Producer: Michael Tucker, Petra Epperlein
Distributor: Palm Pictures
Production Co: Nomados
Rating: PG-13 (Some Drug References|Violent Situations|Strong Language Throughout)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 4, 2005, Original
Release Date (DVD): Jun 28, 2005
Box Office (Gross USA): $607.5K
Runtime: 1h 25m