Educational Media Reviews Online

“This is the last…THE LAST BIRTHDAY THE ARMY WILL STEAL FROM ME.” Corporal Jonathan Santos was 22 years old when he wrote that in his diary on 23 September 2004. 22 days later, on 15 October 2004, he and two other members of his unit, along with their Iraqi interpreter, were killed by a roadside bomb. Those words, discovered by his mother when she learned, for the first time, of his diary and home videos after she received his possessions, reflect the central irony of The Corporal’s Diary – that it is not a film about a young man’s death, but rather a film about a young man’s life, a mother’s son, and her journey now that he is gone.

The Iraq War, which began with the invasion of the country by the United States and allied nations in 2003, has, in our information-rich and media-oriented world, already produced any number of biographies, studies, and films, ranging from the biography The Last True Story I’ll Ever Tell by John Crawford, to the 2006 Academy Award-nominated documentary My Country, My Country, which address the full spectrum of issues surrounding the war. Portrayals of right versus wrong, perspectives of each side, the military strategy – all have been discussed to some degree. These works, which provide valuable insight to the events of the war, are nonetheless written or produced specifically for an audience, whether created immediately during the events, such as documentary film of battles, or after a short period of reflection following deployment, as in most memoirs, and subsequently allow their creators the decision of what face, what version, the public will see. The Corporal’s Diary, while an edited, produced documentary, provides a rare look into the life and world of a soldier who was killed before he could ever temper or edit his own words and images, words and images that mention his military mission, but far more often feature what book he was reading, his dog, or his own foot as he fends off a friend’s pillow attack. The filmmakers follow Jonathan’s mother as she copes not only with Jonathan’s death, but with the facets of his life which are left behind – his words and images, but also his close friend Matthew Drake, wounded in the attack that killed Jonathan. Her journey through the film, from traveling to meet Matthew and his mother, to taking Jonathan’s boots and speaking at the Eyes Wide Open exhibit held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., in 2006, is not only about remembering Jonathan, but about the emotional journeys of all the families who have lost loved ones in the war.

The Corporal’s Diary is highly recommended for its ability to allow the viewer to momentarily step into the life of one young soldier, through his own words and eyes, to appreciate his thoughts and actions as they occurred. Comprised of documentary footage and home video, still images, and the background narration of Jonathan’s younger brother reading his diary, the effect is immersive to the point where viewers may need to remind themselves that it is not truly Jonathan’s voice they are hearing. The film exudes a feeling of matter-of-fact honesty, without contrivance, and is unique for its ability to take a highly polarizing, sensitive topic and leave the viewer feeling, not for or against, not right or wrong, but a curious mixture of sadness and hope.

The DVD also includes the film with director’s commentary, four short pieces of additional material, and the website offers additional educational content.

Awards

• Most Powerful Documentary – Seattle True Independent Film Festival, 2008