Circle of Deceit

As war movies go, Circle of Deceit is a bloody success.

A strong, compelling film, a devastating commentary on war and politics and a sensitive illumination of the personality and sensibility of the war correspondent who fancies himself as a spectator.

The humanist Circle of Deceit charts the many moral quandaries encountered by a journalist when he's sent to Beirut to catalog the outbreak of the Lebanese civil war.

Aspires to the humanist as well as the humanitarian, and ultimately achieves both.

It is a rough film to sit through, but sitting through it is definitely a worthwhile and illuminating experience.

The dramatically reconstructed battles are an example of good cinema, that is, of informative seriousness and creative imagination. [Full Review in Spanish]

This politically charged 1981 drama isn't one of Schlndorff's greatest films, but its strong moral concerns and superb cast make it well worth viewing.