Warriors: A Front Row Review

With the 20th anniversary of the beginning of the Bosnian War, this article also discusses the 1999 movie, Warriors, which explored the British efforts at peacekeeping in Bosnia.

British troops in Bosnia arrived under the UN flag and provided humanitarian aid; the film follows their experiences exclusively. Focusing on the troops restrained approach gives Warriors a unique view of the conflict. It allows for assessment of the tragedy and a personal connection with the soldiers on the ground. This makes the film far more accessible for western audiences, helping to bridge any perceived gaps in culture.

Those that have watched the movie will remember the following scene (Warning for strong language/situation!):

Moments like the portrayal of the Ahmici massacre snap the viewer to attention and none more so than an almost unbelievable encounter Private James, played expertly by Matthew MacFadyen, has with a Serbian soldier. James is told to find one man left alive in a truck of corpses; his physical and mental strength helps him through the search and to return the man to safety. He confronts the Serb soldier who is in command and who laughed throughout the whole ordeal. The scene is a culmination of James’ caring, protective personality breaking down. He has witnessed atrocities he could never have imagined and has lost his best friend when he would have gladly exchanged his own life to save him. 

The reviewer goes on to interview Matthew Macfadyen in the article. Be sure to read the review!