Inspiring and Well-Made
I watched this movie during my photography class at school. I wasn't sure what to expect, but this was not it. The movie was amazing, well-made, and extremely insightful. It may not have inspired me to go out and photograph wars, but it has inspired me to find a purpose with my photography and to send a message. The movie captivated me throughout, and I found myself impressed with Nachtwey's character and ability to handle himself in such deadly locations.

A must-see for any photographer, amateur or otherwise, as well as for anyone who just wants to know where all those pictures come from. Jim Nachtwey is one of my newest heroes.

GREAT
What a DVD. Very interesting and great to hear the photographers opinions on many things. It give a very personal side to it. Great photos and great idea to put a video camera on Jim's photo camera. Innovative way of filming. Worth buying if you are a fan of photojournalism. Along with Richard Avedon's DVD this is the best I have ever seen

Just buy it
There are a lot of words in other reviews and they say it better then I can... Seriously, Just buy it (or rent if you prefer but), Watch and Think.

The Ultimate Reality Documentary
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Near the end of this powerful film, James Nachtwey, the photojournalist profiled in it states what might happen if people could see what he has:

"What you see [in war or conflict] is unmitigated pain, injustice, and misery. It has occurred to me that if everybody could be there just once to see for themselves what white phosphorus [used in bombs, artillary shells, and mortar shells] does to the face of a child or what unspeakable pain is caused by the impact of a single bullet or how a ragged piece of shrapnel can rip someone's leg off--if everybody could be there to see for themselves the fear and grief just one time, then they would understand that nothing is worth letting things get to the point where that happens to even one person, let alone thousands."

He continues by stating why the war photographer's work is so important:

"But everyone cannot be there and that is why photographers go there, to show them, to reach out and grab them and make them stop what they're doing and pay attention to what is going on--to create pictures powerful enough to...shake people out of their indifference."

This is what this documentary does. It reaches out and grabs you through Nachtwey's photographs enabling you the viewer to see what he sees. Besides seeing pictures and moving images of pain, injustice, and misery, the viewer also gets to see poverty, suffering, violence, brutality, and famine. You also get a glimpse of the danger Nachtwey is exposed to on each assignment.

Besides brief comments by Nachtwey, there are also comments made by others throughout the film. Specifically, there are comments given by Chief International Correspondent for CNN Christiane Amanpour, two foreign editors, a Reuters cameraman, and a screenwriter. Make sure the subtitles are turned on as all comments are not in English.

Locations we follow Nachtwey to include The Balkans, Kosovo; Jakarta, Indonesia; Ramallah, Pallestine; New York City; Hamburg, Germany; and Kawah Ijen, Indonesia.

Finally, the DVD itself (the one released in 2003) is perfect in picture and sound quality. It has some extras that I found to be very interesting.

In conclusion, this is a powerful film. Near the beginning of this Academy Award nominated documentary Nachtwey says,

"In a war, the normal codes of civilized behavior are suspended."

After viewing this film, you'll actually see that this is definitely true!!

(2001; 95 min; wide screen; 18 scenes)

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An Inspirational Experience
This documentary was by far the most moving, piercing, inspirational piece of film or any media I have ever seen. Not only is the subject, James Nachtwey, deeply inspirational in his devoted, quiet, compassionate commitment to documenting the lives of the countless millions suffering today, but the film itself is extraordinary. Seeing the full context of the photographer's subject before the photo is taken (through a videocamera attached to the camera) makes the effect of Nachtwey's work, his life, and the lives of those he photographs that much more powerful. This is the one documentary I would recommend all of my friends watch. Truly inspirational.