Director David Salzberg defines what he believes it means to be an American soldier in his newest documentary, and he does so with absolute grace. Armed with an abundance of archival footage, Salzberg substitutes the excessive gore that is typically associated with the war genre and replaces it with highly personal interviews that reveal the heart that goes into every mission. The talking heads of this film are not afraid to reveal both the pride and personal sacrifice that went into the Korengal "Valley of Death". These accounts serve as fluid narration to complement immersive raw footage that puts viewers in the front lines of service. Hopefully, Salzberg's documentary serves as both a tribute to the brave men and women who have and continue to put the interests of the greater good above their own, as well as a reminder that in war, there is more at stake than lives.
Review of Above the Best
