Shock and Awe (2017) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Journalists investigate disputed claims used to support an Iraq invasion as the human costs and pressure to go to war come into view.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A Veteran's Costly Testimony

A retired Army veteran recalls enlisting at nineteen and being gravely injured shortly after arriving in Iraq. His testimony makes the human consequences of a government decision central to the account.

Key Events

• Veteran Testifies at Senate Hearing — A retired Army veteran connects the decision to invade Iraq with the consequences for his life. Location: Senate hearing
• Enlistment at Nineteen — The veteran recounts that he enlisted in the Army at nineteen. Location: Not specified
• IED Destroys Transport — Hours after arriving in Iraq, an IED destroys the veteran's transport and severs his spinal cord. Location: Iraq
• Testimony Challenges Officials — The veteran's account turns policy consequences into a direct challenge to committee officials. Location: Senate hearing
• Reporters Examine War Rationale — The reporters investigate the administration's growing interest in invading Iraq after the attacks on the United States. Characters: Jonathan Landay, Warren Strobel, John Walcott Location: Washington

Questioning the Case for War

Landay, Strobel, and Walcott investigate the administration's interest in invading Iraq after the attacks on the United States. Vlatka Landay's recollection of nationalism and warnings from officials and experts deepen the questions about what war could bring.

Key Events

• Patriotism Shapes Public Debate — As patriotism spreads, Vlatka Landay recalls how nationalism helped tear apart her former country. Characters: Vlatka Landay Location: Not specified
• Reporters Question War Claims — The reporters ask whether the public argument for war rests on reliable evidence. Characters: Jonathan Landay, Warren Strobel Location: Washington
• Experts Warn of Regional Fallout — Officials and experts warn of regional destabilization, prolonged occupation, and possible civil conflict. Characters: Jonathan Landay, Warren Strobel Location: Not specified
• Administration Makes Its Case — The administration presents its case on television while pressing Congress and the United Nations to act. Location: Television

Claims Under Investigation

As the administration makes its case to the public and presses Congress and the United Nations, the reporters examine WMD claims, alleged terrorist connections, and disputed intelligence. Conflicting sources challenge important assertions, including claims about equipment and uranium enrichment.

Key Events

• WMD Claims Come Under Scrutiny — The journalists examine claims that Iraq possesses weapons of mass destruction. Characters: Jonathan Landay, Warren Strobel Location: Not specified
• Terrorist Cooperation Claims Examined — The reporters investigate assertions of possible cooperation between Iraq and terrorists. Characters: Jonathan Landay, Warren Strobel Location: Not specified
• Alleged Intelligence Meeting Disputed — The journalists examine a claim about a meeting between Iraqi intelligence and a hijacker. Characters: Jonathan Landay, Warren Strobel Location: Not specified
• Equipment Purpose Contested — Sources dispute whether certain equipment could be used to enrich uranium. Characters: Jonathan Landay, Warren Strobel Location: Not specified
• Sources Challenge Key Assertions — Sources dispute important assertions underpinning the case for war. Characters: Jonathan Landay, Warren Strobel Location: Not specified
• Contrary Assessments Pushed Aside — The reporters grow concerned that questionable intelligence is promoted while contrary assessments are sidelined. Characters: Jonathan Landay, Warren Strobel Location: Not specified

Pressure Before the Countdown

Concern rises that questionable intelligence is being promoted while contrary assessments are pushed aside, and the reporters challenge editors favoring pro-war stories. With war seeming increasingly inevitable and troops awaiting orders, the journalists keep seeking the truth as resistance mounts and the account remains unresolved.

Key Events

• Newsroom Reporting Dispute — The reporters challenge editors who favor stories supporting the march toward war. Characters: Jonathan Landay, Warren Strobel, John Walcott Location: Newsroom
• War Appears Increasingly Inevitable — Pressure intensifies as the possibility of war increasingly appears inevitable. Characters: Jonathan Landay, Warren Strobel Location: Washington
• Troops Await Orders — Troops wait for orders as the prospect of war grows closer. Location: Not specified
• Reporters Continue Seeking Truth — Landay and Strobel continue trying to establish what is true, mindful of the consequences if claims prove false. Characters: Jonathan Landay, Warren Strobel Location: Washington
• Worldwide Resistance Mounts — Resistance grows worldwide as the countdown toward war continues; the excerpt does not show an invasion or resolve the investigation. Location: Worldwide

Story Breakdown

• Veteran's Testimony — A Senate hearing frames the consequences of the Iraq decision through a veteran's experience.
  • Army Enlistment — The veteran recounts enlisting at nineteen.
  • Injury in Iraq — An IED destroys his transport and severs his spinal cord hours after his arrival.
• Reporters' Inquiry — The journalists investigate the administration's growing interest in invading Iraq after the attacks on the United States.
  • War Rationale — The reporters question whether the public argument for war rests on reliable evidence.
  • Editorial Pressure — They challenge editors who favor stories supporting the march toward war.
• Warnings of Fallout — Competing assessments raise concerns about the consequences of an invasion.
  • Regional Destabilization — Officials and experts warn that an invasion could destabilize the region.
  • Occupation and Conflict — Warnings include a prolonged occupation and possible civil conflict.
• Administration's Case — The administration promotes its argument publicly and seeks action from political institutions.
  • Televised Argument — The administration makes its case on television.
  • Congress and United Nations — The administration presses Congress and the United Nations to act.
• Disputed Intelligence — The reporters test claims about Iraqi weapons, terrorist connections, and supporting evidence.
  • Weapons Claims — The journalists examine claims about weapons of mass destruction and equipment that might enrich uranium.
  • Alleged Connections — They investigate possible cooperation between Iraq and terrorists and a supposed meeting involving Iraqi intelligence and a hijacker.
• Evidence Sidelined — The reporters grow concerned that questionable intelligence is promoted while contrary assessments are pushed aside.
  • Source Disputes — Sources contest key assertions supporting the public case for war.
  • Newsroom Challenge — The journalists confront editorial preferences for stories supporting the march toward war.
• Countdown to War — The account ends with mounting pressure and resistance, without showing the invasion or resolving the investigation.
  • Troops Await Orders — The possibility of war appears increasingly inevitable as troops wait for orders.
  • Unresolved Resistance — The journalists continue seeking the truth while worldwide resistance mounts and the countdown continues.

Directed by

Rob Reiner

Key Cast

• Woody Harrelson — Jonathan Landay
• James Marsden — Warren Strobel
• Rob Reiner — John Walcott
• Tommy Lee Jones — Joe Galloway
• Jessica Biel — Lisa Mayr