If Giacchoni’s documentary teaches us anything it’s that we’ve just lost our ability to fight back and speak up against unjust causes. In a world where we’ve found ourselves led into a horribly empty pursuit that takes more and more from our country, we need to fight now more than ever against those that continue to try and convince us that the war is necessary. “The Camden 28” further chronicles those freedom fighters that would not go in to war in a foreign country and risk their lives for obvious lies and deception. Of course, this was a long time ago.

“The Camden 28” is one of the many documentaries to parallel the current Iraq war, and is once again intent on mirroring our government’s pure deception during war time, and shows how committee dissent has become antiquated in the face of a complacent society unwilling to lose their basic comforts. “The Camden 28” reveals how these folks were willing to lose it all if it meant getting the word out about the criminal pursuit in the Vietnam war, and the draft that had been enlisted in a town where low class urban males were being recruited, another aspect that was later adopted by the war effort in the Iraq War. “The Camden 28” is not just a story about a group of people that rebelled against the draft, but it’s also the realization that this battle wasn’t being fought with the FBI, or in their homeland, but in the court rooms.

This was a trial to prove that this crime was just, and that the war was for nothing. More so it showed that the person who sold them out once the group was caught by the FBI was simply misguided. Years later, as the group gathers to recollect old stories and events, it’s become apparent that by now their crimes of dissent were necessary for this small war driven town to finally realize Vietnam was taking our American men from us for no reason. In one of the most wrenching moments, a mother realizes that her son fought for nothing and recalls her reactions during the trial. “The Camden 28” is just one of the many battles fought to keep the deceit of the Vietnam war from affecting America, and it’s one of the few battles won. If anything it also shows that dissent is a far gone notion in our modern society.

Not all battles are won in this world, and "The Camden 28" knew that and were willing to endure the punishment just to show the world how horribly unjust the Vietnam war was. Makes you wish we still had that drive today.

[   Link to Us   |   FAQ   |   Top^   ]
All written reviews material and content are a copyright of Felix Vasquez Jr. and Cinema Crazed.
Content borrowed without written permission will not be permitted.

¤ ¤ ¤