GamerTab That was an excellent one.

InformationRap This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

FirstWitch A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

Joanna Mccarty Amazing worth wacthing. So good. Biased but well made with many good points.

mistabobdobolina This story -- about a man radicalized into joining something like a cross between Al-Qaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood, committing to carrying out a suicide bombing, and living with a peaceful, modern Muslim family as he prepares to carry out the deed -- would have been tempting to play as a story of redemption (in fact other film treating similar subject matter, like "The Terrorist" have gone that route).I like that it doesn't take the easy way out. There's quite a lot to like about this film just generally, as a matter of fact. In the midst of the fog of facile nonsense that surrounds the War on Terror, it's a rare film that actually has the courage to treat the motivations for terrorism seriously alongside both its manifest evils, and the evils of those whose misdeeds radicalize the terrorists in the first place. Hassan, once an affable modern Muslim youth like his friends, comes back as a shadow (or an image in negative) of his former self after being kidnapped in France and sent off to a "black facility" to be tortured. The torture is shown sparingly, but vividly, never letting us forget what brought this man to this point.Yet it doesn't let terrorism off the hook either. It's telling that Hassan and his Brotherhood contacts have no really coherent strategic idea of what their planned attack is supposed to accomplish. For Hassan it's religious duty and martyrdom, a personal act of revenge and catharsis -- but he never seems to confront the disconnect between his act and any actual solution to the injustices he rages about. For him and his comrades the redemption of the act seems to be in its scale and bravura; confronted with the prospect of having to merely "blow themselves up on a bus like Palestinians," a scenario no less meaningless and self-defeating than their own plan but more obviously pathetic, they begin to come to pieces.Hassan is also distinctly and convincingly uncomfortable when faced with the modern, tolerant Islam of his friend Sayeed and his family, as if he fears being sapped of his purpose. But again the film avoids easy answers: Sayeed for his part senses something dark going on beneath his friend's newfound piety, but when he finally confirms his suspicions and calls the police, he -- realistically -- isn't rewarded by an encounter with storybook good guys. Instead he vanishes into the same black bag system that took Hassan, the cycle beginning all over again.Overall, a must-see film for anyone who wants to understand the nature of the "War on Terror."

Cliff Sloane The title is from the literal meaning of the term "jihad," which is explained during a memorable sermon. It is also very appropriate, as all the main characters are in the midst of such an internal struggle, not just Hassan.Many other user comments say what I was going to say, so let me just offer some insights that will help those who have already seen it.*** Spoilers **** Hassan's struggle is obvious. He has to fight his affection for Sayeed, his memories of his youth with Duri, his gratitude for the help of Sayeed's American friends, etc. In fact, there is a subtle struggle when he first studies Grand Central Station and admires its beauty.Sayeed is struggling to balance being Pakistani vs. being American. Until Hassan came, the choice was easy.Duri, faced with disrespect from her American life, is re-evaluating what she may have lost in coming to America.Khalid's struggle is quite obvious as well. We do not see how his betrayal of Hassan plays out in his heart, though.The family is then faced with the greatest struggle, that provoked when Sayeed is hauled off as a suspect. THey have been betrayed too, the way Hassan was in the movie's beginning.I found this to be an intelligent, compassionate and nuanced movie, and a thriller to boot. I think, if I do a movie class again, I'll show this along with Santosh Sivan's Terrorist. 9/10

kris-289 I just watched it for the first time and I must say it was a breath of fresh air. It has taken too long for a film to capture the struggle that our so called "enemies" are faced with before snapping. I've got to tell you The War Within totally opened my eyes about how the mistreatment of those suspected of terrorist activities can actually turn them into what we fear most—terrorists. I thought it was one of the best films of the year. I would highly recommend seeing it to anyone interested in world affairs and for seeing a fresh perspective of what drives suicide bombers.Go to http://www.warwithinmovie.com/ to learn about the January 31st DVD release of The War Within.

southerngirl222 I must admit I thought I was going to hate this movie. My ex boyfriend made me go see it. (Note the "Ex"!! :)). He's history but the movie has stayed with me. I don't know any Pakistanis. This movie opened my eyes. It felt real. The people, especially the family. The husband/father was really WONDERFUL. The scene where he watches his son being brainwashed by the terrorist (pretending he's teaching him how to pray but really filling his little head with all kinda hatred), made me want to SCREAM! That kind of subtle and quiet hatred is so frightening. It's like watching Osama. He seems so calm but you know underneath the skin is something that looks more like the creature from Alien. These guys were brave to make this movie. I really didn't understand why the father got taken away at the end, though. I mean he's the one that made the call, right? I think that was a little unrealistic and/or unfair (to the FBI). I do recommend every American go see this. Not so's you feel bad about being American. That's ridiculous. Just so's we get more perspective on what's going on today. And it's a movie that entertains as well as educates.