THE DEVIL CAME ON HORSEBACK

I haven't seen but a handful of documentaries this year...but this one is easily the best. This film tells the story of Brian Steidle, a US Marine who accepts an "observers" assignment in the Sudan. That assignment coincides with the rising of conflict in Darfur and changes Brian's life forever. The movie is outstanding in its restraint...there is no need to sensationalize the atrocities that have occurred, and continue to occur, in Darfur and the filmakers are smart enough to understand exactly how to edit their footage. THE DEVIL CAME ON HORSEBACK will both bring you to tears and fill you with hope. The only failure here is on the part of the Academy who failed to include this film among the 15 finalists for Best Documentary. 4.5 of 5 hs