The film follows the fictional presidential campaign of a candidate named Turner, who vows when elected to bring home the entire U.S. Military from every country it is deployed to. As Turner says in the film, The United States spends countless sums of money that could be better spent at home. Elect him, and the world will think the U.S. is a nice place, and our troops won't get killed. Right?
Wrong. "The World Without Us" is a brilliant film that shows why the United States and its military are crucial to world peace today. Mitch Anderson traveled to over 20 countries to speak with people about their thoughts of the U.S. and its missions worldwide. The responses he gets from people are varied but honest. It is interesting to see what other, regular people think about the U.S. worldwide.
Anderson also interviews noted Harvard historian and author Niall Ferguson. I have always enjoyed reading Ferguson, and he hits the nail on the head when he says in the trailer, "The World is not naturally a peaceful, organized place..... and my great fear is that if the U.S. opts out (of maintaining order) maybe no one will opt in."
Not only is the film relevant to all Americans curious about their nation's role in the world on the geopolitical level, it is also the story of the hope that is America. Mitch Anderson weaves his own story into the film, and it is the story of countless people that have come to America seeking a better life. Anderson was born in Communist Romania during the Cold War and dreamed of escaping and coming to the United States. Knowing he will be thrown in prison if he is caught trying to leave, he eventually he escapes his homeland and makes it to the United States. As a man that lived under the evil of communism, it is easy to see why he loves the United States, and why he is the best type of American- he knows what the price of freedom is, having lived under its alternative.
"The World Without Us" is a great documentary showing exactly what the consequences could be if the United States were to shirk its duty in the world. It is natural, probably, for those protesters we have here at home to not like the U.S. Military being sent abroad. They don't like war, and don't like suffering. It is a testament to the United States' success that our citizens can afford to be so naive- maybe if they watched this film they might think twice.
-Edward Domain
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