Standard Operating Procedure

This documentary investigates the events at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, focusing on the actions of a group of American soldiers who were charged with prisoner abuse. Director Errol Morris uses interviews with the soldiers themselves, interspersed with archival footage and dramatic reenactments, to explore the complex circumstances, chain of command, and psychological pressures that may have contributed to their actions. The film aims to present the soldiers' perspectives and question the broader system that allowed such abuses to occur.

Standard Operating Procedure received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its unflinching look at a controversial subject and Errol Morris's directorial skill. While some found the film's structure occasionally challenging, many commended its attempt to delve into the human element of the Abu Ghraib scandal and its questioning of responsibility.

• Praised for its direct interviews with the accused soldiers.

• Lauded for Errol Morris's distinctive and probing documentary style.

• Acknowledged for its brave and necessary examination of the Abu Ghraib scandal.

Google audience: Google users largely appreciated the film's direct approach and the opportunity to hear from the soldiers involved in the Abu Ghraib scandal, finding it thought-provoking and important. Some viewers felt the film could have delved deeper into the institutional failures.

Nominated for the Golden Bear at the 2008 Berlin International Film Festival.

Errol Morris chose to film the reenactments using the same type of digital cameras that were used by the soldiers at Abu Ghraib, aiming for a sense of authenticity and immediacy.