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Once Upon a Time in Iraq

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Once Upon a Time in Iraq
Poster
GenreDocumentary
Narrated byAndy Serkis
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languagesEnglish
Arabic
No. of series1
No. of episodes5
Production
Executive producersWill Anderson
Andrew Palmer
ProducerJo Abel
Running time296 minutes (BBC)
113 minutes (PBS)
Production companyKEO Films
Original release
NetworkBBC
Release13 July (2020-07-13) –
10 August 2020 (2020-08-10)

Once Upon a Time in Iraq is a 2020 British documentary television miniseries directed by James Bluemel and narrated by the British-Iraqi actor Andy Serkis.[1][2] Composed of five episodes, it features interviews with Iraqi citizens, American military personnel and international journalists about the Iraqi conflict and its effects on the Iraqi people.[3][4]

Overview

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The series chronologically covers the 2003 invasion of Iraq by a United States-led coalition that overthrew the government of Saddam Hussein, and its subsequent occupation of Iraq (2003–2011); the first phase of the Iraqi insurgency (2003–2006); the Iraqi Civil War (2006–2008); the post-US withdrawal insurgency (2011–2013); and the War in Iraq (2013–2017), an armed conflict between the Iraqi Armed Forces and its allies against the Islamic State.

The first episode was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two on 13 July 2020.[2] A heavily edited, single-episode, feature-length version was subsequently broadcast in the United States by PBS as part of their Frontline series on 14 July 2020.[5] The American version omitted the interviews with Rudy Reyes and Nathan Sassaman among others.[6][failed verification] The American version also completely omits the third episode on the Battle of Fallujah.

Interviewees

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Note: Several of the above were omitted from the version made for American television.

Episodes

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No.TitleDirected byOriginal release date
1"War"James BluemelJuly 13, 2020 (2020-07-13)
Varied Iraqi perspectives at the outset of the 2003 Iraq War, contrast the optimism of some young people, who associated invasion with cultural freedom and change, with the caution of others who fear instability despite recognising Saddam Hussein’s repression. Personal accounts from civilians and observers express feelings of hope during the regime’s final days.
2"Insurgency"James BluemelJuly 20, 2020 (2020-07-20)
During the early insurgency in Iraq, U.S. military confidence in the mission erodes when faced with continued violence, limited support, and ethical strains, alongside an Iraqi civilian population also impacted by insurgent activity. Various interviews highlight the impact of conflict on both soldiers, reporters, and civilians. In interviews, various subjects question both the grounds and the outcomes of the war.
3"Fallujah"James BluemelJuly 27, 2020 (2020-07-27)
The episode recounts the 2004 Battle of Fallujah through the perspectives of embedded journalists, U.S. marines, and Iraqi civilians. It follows reporters documenting intense urban combat while living alongside troops, highlighting the dangers and ethical complexities of war reporting. Accounts from residents illustrate the brutal impact of the fighting on daily life, and the lasting consequences for those caught up in it.
4"Saddam"James BluemelAugust 3, 2020 (2020-08-03)
The episode explores Saddam Hussein’s capture and reactions to it, and its aftermath. U.S. officials see the event as a turning point, but there are concerns raised concerns about future instability. Subsequently, underlying sectarian tensions, previously suppressed, contribute to escalating violence and the onset of civil conflict.
5"Legacy"James BluemelAugust 10, 2020 (2020-08-10)
After the invasion there is political change, and rising extremism. Sectarian policies contribute to instability and the emergence of ISIS. Those living under ISIS rule experience severe of repression and frequent violence, but there are also acts of resistance and solidarity, the consequences of prolonged conflict and efforts to oppose it.

Reception

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The series was widely acclaimed in the British press[citation needed], winning the awards for best documentary and outstanding series at the Rose d'Or festival in December 2020, in addition to being named Best Factual Series at the 2021 British Academy Television Awards.[22][23][24]

The Guardian called Once Upon a Time in Iraq "a gripping, harrowing masterpiece" and praised its content, noting the use of interviews with people who were there, as opposed to prioritising interviews with politicians and analysts.[25] New Statesman called it a "duty" to watch and praising Bluemel's storytelling.[26] However, a review in The New Arab criticised the series as an incomplete representation of the Iraqi experience, and decried the "editorial decision to airbrush British complicity and the participation of British forces in Basra from the story".[27]

References

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  1. ↑ Aly, Remona (13 July 2020). "'No one is pure evil': the documentary bringing a human face to the Iraq war". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  2. 1 2 Littlejohn, Georgina (13 July 2020). "Everything you need to know about new BBC documentary series Once Upon a Time in Iraq". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  3. ↑ "Once Upon A Time in Iraq". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  4. ↑ Cooke, Rachel (10 August 2020). "Why everyone must watch Once Upon A Time in Iraq". New Statesman. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  5. ↑ "Once Upon A Time In Iraq". FRONTLINE. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  6. ↑ "Iraq War: "We are systematically programmed to kill" - BBC". Youtube. 26 July 2020.
  7. 1 2 "Once Upon a Time in Iraq: Fallujah". The BBC. 3 August 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Iraq War: 'I am here today because another man died'". The BBC. 26 July 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  9. ↑ "Once Upon a Time in Iraq: Insurgency". The BBC. 3 August 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  10. ↑ Freeman, Colin (3 August 2020). "Ahmed Albasheer: if freedom of speech is under threat in the West, the rest of us will never have it". The Telegraph. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  11. 1 2 3 "Once Upon A Time In Iraq - Transcript". FRONTLINE. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  12. ↑ Midgley, Carol (21 July 2020). "Once Upon a Time in Iraq review — every head of state should watch this and learn". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  13. ↑ Nicholson, Rebecca (13 July 2020). "Once Upon a Time in Iraq review – a gripping, harrowing masterpiece". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  14. ↑ "'How I survived an IS massacre'". BBC News. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  15. 1 2 Boghani, Priyanka (14 July 2020). "Four Iraqis on Searching For Hope 17 Years After the Iraq War". PBS. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  16. ↑ "FRONTLINE Presents "Once Upon a Time in Iraq"— the Iraq War as You've Never Seen It Before". PBS. 29 June 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  17. ↑ Kenny, Ursula (5 December 2020). "I got hundreds of messages after Once Upon a Time in Iraq". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  18. 1 2 "'No one is pure evil': the documentary bringing a human face to the Iraq war". the Guardian. 13 July 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  19. ↑ "Once Upon a Time in Iraq: Saddam". The BBC. 3 August 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  20. ↑ Midgley, Carol (14 July 2020). "Once Upon a Time in Iraq review — a compelling look at war from street level". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  21. ↑ Bluemel, James (13 July 2020). "I hope viewers will reflect on the fact that the invasion of Iraq was utterly pointless". The Telegraph. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  22. ↑ Morgan, Jillian (10 December 2020). ""Once Upon A Time In Iraq" wins best doc honors at 2020 Rose d'Or Awards". reelscreen.com. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  23. ↑ "Rose d'Or 2020 winners announced – Rose d'Or Awards". Rose d'Or Official Site. 9 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  24. ↑ "BAFTA TV Awards 2021: The full list of winners". Sky News. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  25. ↑ Nicholson, Rebecca (13 July 2020). "Once Upon a Time in Iraq review – a gripping, harrowing masterpiece". the Guardian. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  26. ↑ Cooke, Rachel (12 August 2020). "Why everyone must watch Once Upon A Time in Iraq". www.newstatesman.com. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  27. ↑ Tarzi, Nazli (29 July 2020). "Review: Once Upon a Time in Iraq". The New Arab. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
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