The GID, Hani explains to Ferris, tortures for punishment (lying and disloyalty), not to obtain information-'a very different thing.' Ferris is seemingly in accord, so a relationship is cemented. One of these more-or-less honorable Arabs is Hani (Mark Strong), the suave chief of the Jordanian General Intelligence Department. He works under the direction of his amoral superior Ed Hoffman (Russell Crowe), in co-opting 'good Arab guys' to hunt down 'bad Arab guys.' 'And if you are running an organization that is important to national security, without that attitude you will be weaker and vulnerable.'īased on the novel of the same title by Washington Post columnist David Ignatius, Scott's film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as CIA operative Roger Ferris who in the course of the film maneuvers in three Middle Eastern countries. 'Turn your back for a second and you will be used,' says Scott. Deceive everyone,' recommend the film's production notes. According to the film, American spies are commendably ruthless, but an ingrained democratic attitude hinders secrecy and single-mindedness thereby eroding the effort.

If the 'war on terror' is a legitimate undertaking and the CIA its legitimate tool, veteran director Ridley Scott's new movie Body of Lies gives legitimate advice on how better to prosecute the supposed conflict.

Body of Lies directed by Ridley Scott, screenplay by William Monahan, based on the novel by David Ignatius Flash of Genius directed by Marc Abraham, screenplay by Philip Railsback, based on the article by John Seabrook

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