Gunner Palace
Encyclopedia
Gunner Palace is a 2004
documentary film
by American
documentary filmmaker Michael Tucker
, which had a limited release in the United States
on March 4, 2005. The film was an account of the complex realities of the situation in Iraq during 2003–2004 amidst the Iraqi insurgency
not seen on the nightly news. Told first-hand by American troops
stationed in the middle of Baghdad, Gunner Palace presents a portrait of a dangerous and chaotic war.
beginning in the late summer of 2003 until the unit was relieved by 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment, of the 39th Brigade Combat Team, an element of the 1st Cavalry Division
in April 2004. The soldiers were stationed in the Adhamiyah
neighborhood of Baghdad which lies between the Tigris river on the west and Sadar City on the east. The unit's Forward Operating Base was at a former Presidential Palace, known as Adhamiyah Palace.
for its language. However, Tucker asked the MPAA to reconsider, saying that the video shows real life in the army overseas and the importance of the younger audiences to connect and understand what soldiers have to go through. A petition was also started. Considering the combat conditions facing the human subjects of a war documentary, the language, while strong, did not constitute gratuitous profanity. A PG-13 rating was granted on appeal. The documentary contains 42 uses of "fuck
" and its derivatives, more than any other PG-13 film.
The film has also been given a PG-13 equivalent M rating in Australia (recommended for mature audiences though any age is still allowed access). It also got a 15 rating in the UK (illegal for those under 15 to see), 14A in most provinces of Canada (under 14s require guardian) and an M rating in New Zealand (Recommended for those 16 and over).
2004 in film
The year 2004 in film involved some significant events. Major releases of sequels took place. It included blockbuster films like Shrek 2, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Passion of the Christ, Meet the Fockers, Blade: Trinity, Spider-Man 2, Alien vs. Predator, Kill Bill Vol...
documentary film
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
documentary filmmaker Michael Tucker
Michael Tucker (director)
Michael Tucker, an American documentary film director, was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is currently best known for his recent documentary The Prisoner or: How I Planned to Kill Tony Blair...
, which had a limited release in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on March 4, 2005. The film was an account of the complex realities of the situation in Iraq during 2003–2004 amidst the Iraqi insurgency
Iraqi insurgency
The Iraqi Resistance is composed of a diverse mix of militias, foreign fighters, all-Iraqi units or mixtures opposing the United States-led multinational force in Iraq and the post-2003 Iraqi government...
not seen on the nightly news. Told first-hand by American troops
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
stationed in the middle of Baghdad, Gunner Palace presents a portrait of a dangerous and chaotic war.
Story
The film documents the operations of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, an element of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division1st Armored Division (United States)
The 1st Armored Division—nicknamed "Old Ironsides"—is a standing armored division of the United States Army with base of operations in Fort Bliss, Texas. It was the first armored division of the U.S...
beginning in the late summer of 2003 until the unit was relieved by 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment, of the 39th Brigade Combat Team, an element of the 1st Cavalry Division
1st Cavalry Division
1st Cavalry Division can refer to several cavalry units:* 1st Cavalry Division * 1st Cavalry Division * 1st Cavalry Division * 1st Cavalry Division * 1st Indian Cavalry Division...
in April 2004. The soldiers were stationed in the Adhamiyah
Adhamiyah
Al-Adhamiyah , also Azamiya, is a neighborhood and east-central district of the city of Baghdad, Iraq....
neighborhood of Baghdad which lies between the Tigris river on the west and Sadar City on the east. The unit's Forward Operating Base was at a former Presidential Palace, known as Adhamiyah Palace.
Adhamiyah Palace, a.k.a. Fort Apache, a.k.a. JSS Apache
Adhamiyah Palace, which is the back drop for the documentary, was the scene of the last major fire fight during the fall of Baghdad. The palace, which was known as Gunner Palace during its occupation by 2-3rd FA was eventually handed over to the Iraqi Army, except for three buildings which were retained by the follow on unit, Company C, 3-153rd IN and were renamed Patrol Base Apache. The patrol base was closed and the palace was completely handed over to the Iraqi Army in 2005. The Palace was reoccupied during the "Surge" of 2006-2007 and was then known as Joint Security Station Apache. SPC Ross McGinnis, assigned to C Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, stationed at JSS Apache was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions in the Adhamiyah neighborhood when he threw himself on a grenade in order to protect his fellow soldiers.Film rating
The rating is cited as "Rated PG-13 on appeal for strong language throughout, violent situations and some drug references." The documentary was originally given an R rating by the MPAAMotion Picture Association of America
The Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. , originally the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America , was founded in 1922 and is designed to advance the business interests of its members...
for its language. However, Tucker asked the MPAA to reconsider, saying that the video shows real life in the army overseas and the importance of the younger audiences to connect and understand what soldiers have to go through. A petition was also started. Considering the combat conditions facing the human subjects of a war documentary, the language, while strong, did not constitute gratuitous profanity. A PG-13 rating was granted on appeal. The documentary contains 42 uses of "fuck
Fuck
"Fuck" is an English word that is generally considered obscene which, in its most literal meaning, refers to the act of sexual intercourse. By extension it may be used to negatively characterize anything that can be dismissed, disdained, defiled, or destroyed."Fuck" can be used as a verb, adverb,...
" and its derivatives, more than any other PG-13 film.
The film has also been given a PG-13 equivalent M rating in Australia (recommended for mature audiences though any age is still allowed access). It also got a 15 rating in the UK (illegal for those under 15 to see), 14A in most provinces of Canada (under 14s require guardian) and an M rating in New Zealand (Recommended for those 16 and over).