Soldiers Without Guns (2019) User Reviews

SOLDIERS WITHOUT GUNS IS INCREDIBLE

[karmlove · 10/10 · 21 April 2019]

This film is the best kind of rollercoaster ride. It's powerful, heartbreaking, heartwarming, humourous and gives so much inspiration and hope for what's possible in creating peace. The archive footage collected over 13 years is incredible, Lucy Lawless's narration is velvety smooth and the all NZ soundtrack makes it super special too. Everyone I have talked to who has watched the film - raves about it. Go see it.

Not a dry eye

[kelznz-60947 · 10/10 · 24 April 2019]

Amazing story and so empathetically and authentically told.

A story that the world needs to hear

[davidhrstich · 9/10 · 11 May 2019]

This documentary is important, not only for New Zealanders but globally. It shows how the military can be used in a new way to bring peace around the world. Unfortunately there are not that many countries in the world that could have pulled this off. Most countries are controlled by psycopathic power hungry leaders, and have military forces full of young men raised on violent video games who now think war is cool and macho. Yet this documentary is about hope, that their is a way forward for humanity when their is a will to do so.

An incredible account of an untold miracle.

[gmartellturner · 10/10 · 10 May 2019]

My husband and I watched this spellbound. As an historical account of a world breaking peacekeeping mission, it was flawless. More importantly though, as an account of the lives of real people effected by the trauma of conflict and confusion, it was heartbreaking and uplifting and so very raw and real. I detest those big budget films that glamourise conflict and aggression, and this film was the total opposite. It gave us the facts, as they were, with brilliant footage , without making this into anything other than the truth. Awesome kiwi ingenuity and heart at its best.

From a peacekeepers perspective

[rsqstg · 10/10 · 3 May 2019]

As one of the many peacekeepers that took part in this campaign I watched the movie with much interest. The account was very factual and brought many memories back to me of the time I had in Bougainville. It is a credit to Will Watson and his team and well worth a watch by all age groups.

this film is important for all of us

[pisherwood-10469 · 10/10 · 15 August 2019]

I have seen this film twice and each time came away with the feeling that the whole world should see it. I have recommended it to many other people and hope that its message will spread through our comunities.

There must be a way for this type of responce to conflict to be used in many other places.

I would like to think that our entire government and opposition members of parliament could be persuaded to see it and to meet with those involved.

New Zealand could lead a whole new era of the resolving of conflicts. We are well respected around the world for our way of dealing with religious and racial conflict. This could be another way to lead the nations to a more peaceful world for future generations.

Penelope Isherwood

Cultural values matter in conflict resolution

[desratima52 · 24 April 2019]

The movie is a most excellent historical record assembled and now on show as the movie Soldiers without guns. It is obviously a work of passion by the director. I sat with a mother daughter and grand daughter from Bougainville who were very emotional at what they were seeing and hearing. All she and her family could say throughout the movie was 'thank you thank you thank you. My cultural values were to be tested. Indigenous to indigenous was the missing component in the previous 14 failed peace agreements. We thought similar to them, we had similar protocols we had values which they recognised. We connected we trusted we achieved the unthinkable. A peaceful resolution that remains in place 10 years later. Our cultural integrity was enhanced along with theirs. Our military and government risks were rewarded. Now is the time to celebrate this wonderful blend and successful conclusion.

Incredible story

[htcltd · 10/10 · 16 May 2019]

A testament to what can be achieved when you recognise that violence is not a solution to anything.

Incredible story, hope for the future!

[will_watsonTMI · 10/10 · 24 April 2019]

This story should be watched by every single person who wants the world to be a better place! It makes you proud to be a kiwi but it also gives hope for future generations to achieve peace by peaceful means and to maintain it. MUST WATCH!

Best Movie I've seen in years

[pntwilson · 10/10 · 24 April 2019]

Not to be missed. This is an incredible story told with panache, artistry and absolute accuracy. I know because I was in and out of Bougainville for over 30 years. I watched the whole saga develop and play out including our Kiwi peace keepers doing their bit. Will Watson has done a tremendous job telling the story with such empathy and integrity.

Love conquers hate

[janmwil · 9/10 · 25 April 2019]

This documentary tells an amazing true story of how soldiers armed only with respect and compassion brought peace to a shattered people. Ten years of bitter jungle warfare, thousands of deaths, 14 failed peace attempts. Something different was needed and the NZ-led peacekeeping force was willing to take the risk of using "aroha" ( the Maori concept of love and friendship) to conquer hate.

Use of archival film footage brings the ugly war back to life. I felt the pain of their misery, loss and despair as locals, especially women, shared their tears and bitter memories with us. But this is a story of success against all odds. Those same women were determined to create a better future for their communities and this heartwarming story shows how it was achieved with the committed support of soldiers who had chosen to make themselves vulnerable in order to show the way to peace.

This is a wonderful success story that is little known in the wider world. Time for that to change! Go see this movie and have your faith in humanity restored.

Incredible documentary

[bulmerdavid · 10/10 · 24 April 2019]

What an amazing story, and told so well in this film. It is a message that needs to be spread across the world, especially in this age when hostility and bloodshed are too common. A story of how a country caught in a vicious civil war, with neighbours killing neighbours, could be encouraged backt into a state of peace again, with the help of an foreign peace-keeping force that came armed with humanity, and zero guns. Just incredible. The story needs to be shared!

Everyone has to see this

[francesbrader · 10/10 · 2 May 2019]

Such a well planned and well delivered account of NZ and Australia's involvement in Bougainville. Very touching and a beautiful example of how love and compassion can make a difference. I whole heartedly recommend this. Ps; the sound track is excellent too!

The one Documentary you have to see this year

[mdodds-93662 · 10/10 · 24 April 2019]

This makes me proud to be a kiwi! The greed of Rio Tinto and the stupidity of the Australian government should be something we learn from.

Everyone can learn from the New Zealand forces that there is a way for peace without Guns.

A great documentary

Totally Inspiring, Must be Seen by the Whole World

[scmckee-96390 · 10/10 · 24 April 2019]

I am so thankful that Will Watson perservered to create this inspiring account of the peace process in Bouganville led by the NZ Army, with song, guitars, haka and cultural understanding. They built trust, worked especially with the women of the villages understanding that this was a matrilineal society. The breakdown of trust was healed and a peace settlement achieved. A heart-warming true story that gives hope for humanity if this model is followed. Also shows the destructive impacts of greedy large-scale mining on a previously paradisical island. A must-see for all!

Amazing and inspiring! Definitely a must-see.

[erin-houkamau · 10/10 · 25 April 2019]

I have raved about this film to everyone I've spoken to since. If you want to see how real peace can be achieved, this is a must see. Kudos to Will Watson and his team for persevering to have this story told, and to all those involved in bringing peace to Bougainville.

Triumph Overcoming War

[elizabetheames · 10/10 · 25 April 2019]

The worthiest NZ movie I have seen from my good friend, the Film Director, Will Watson. An incredible amount of time spent collating the content to create such an impactful message about how the NZ Defence Forces were able to end an atrocious war over the copper mines in Bougainville. To me, it is an indication of a world-first, peace attempt by NZ. To my way of thinking, NZ is leading the way on a unique way to create peace with guitar music,aroha, manna and courage.

I think every New Zealander should see this film to learn about our 'unsung heroes' as events like this never reach the media, nor are they shown mainstream for the public to be informed about.

It takes a man like, Will Watson to be passionate enough to spend 13 years dedicated to his mission to focus on peace in war-torn countries of this world. Imaging if this was a system that could be rolled-out in other parts of the world, without causing harm to the brave volunteers who would carry out this work.

A must see movie documentary

[awaccounts-26926 · 10/10 · 24 April 2019]

I watched the precursor to this full length feature - Hakas & Guitars - and was hooked then. Solders without guns fills in all the gaps and is an incredible testament to what can be achieved with strength, bravery and 'out of the box' thinking. Loved it. Absolutely a must see.

A must see

[kerrykitione · 10/10 · 4 September 2019]

Thank you Will Watson for the tremendous dedication that has gone into the making of this amazing film. All New Zealanders should experience it, not only for what was achieved in Bougainville by our Kiwi leadership, aroha, empathy, friendliness, music, but also it should be seen so that better tolerance and understanding can be achieved in this country towards the tikanga (values) behind Maori culture - Manaakitanga (help and caring) Aroha, Kotahitanga (unity) Maramatanga(understanding) An example of the good and the best of three cultures here and in Bougainville. Could it not be shown in schools and on TV? Martin Luther King once said " Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter". And this matters - here and globally.

An Untold Story of Unsung Kiwi Heroes

[wilsonkevin-59237 · 8/10 · 23 April 2019]

Follows the riveting journey of Kiwi soldiers as they land unarmed into the heat of a 10 year civil war in Bouganville, using only the weapons of music, Kiwi culture and love to create peace. Music by Anika Moa, Fat Freddy's Drop, Tiki Taane, Kora, The Black Seeds, Trinity Roots, Tomorrow People, Kramit and Matiu Te Huki. Narrated by Lucy Lawless (Zena: Warrior Princess). How love, hope and compassion ended a war

"to achieve peace the military must put down their weapons"

[philandjulie-39092 · 10/10 · 26 July 2019]

This film is a must see fot anyone interested in achieving peace

An amazing tale of unsung heroes

[naomisyred · 10/10 · 24 April 2019]

This was a moving story about our New Zealand peace keepers and Bougainville island. Having lived there before the civil war, it was fascinating and poignant. A must see for all kiwis

EMPATHY OVER BULLETS

[mackley-07393 · 9/10 · 24 April 2019]

There's a lesson in this movie the world needs to hear. It sometimes takes greater courage to solve a crisis with love and peace than it does by exerting lethal force. Who would have believed an infinitely better outcome could be achieved with an unarmed army. Yet here is real proof of outstanding success from the war torn island of Bouganville where tens of thousands had unnecessarily been killed until the Kiwi's unarmed intervention.

Fixated and moved to tears

[lady-di47 · 10/10 · 25 April 2019]

I took my family including my children's grandparents and my 17 and 11 year old to this documentary. We were all completely fixated from start until finish. Wow what a revalation to finally find out what happened over the last few decades in an island not really so far away. I am proud of those New Zealanders for the brave work they did to help our neighbouring countries out. Moved to tears and completely inspired by this movie. A must see for all.

AN INSPIRING DOCUMENTARY

[orielcharmley · 10/10 · 28 April 2019]

A piece of NZ Defence Force history that should be known by all kiwis - I had no previous knowledge of it and am so thankful I now know that a group of dedicated and compassionate kiwis were able to effect great change. Big shout out to the beautiful Bougainville people who endured such hardship for so long. Well done to Will Watson for bringing this to the screen, done and including such interesting archival footage. The NZ music soundtrack to accompany the story has been chosen so well and adds to the success of the doco. I am recommending this movie to all my friends.