From the opening moments of "Waco: The Rules of Engagement," it's obvious where documentary filmmaker William Gazecki stands on the controversial 1993 siege of the Branch Davidian compound in Texas.
As pre-siege footage of the sect's Mount Carmel Center slowly fades in, a child's voice (taken from an FBI negotiation tape) asks "Are you going to come in and kill me?"
Needless to say, that chilling moment sets the tone for the nearly three-hour film, which presents disturbing evidence (including aerial infrared footage) that federal agents may have used excessive force in two separate attacks on the compound and that they may have started the fire that claimed the lives of 76 cult members.
A former sound editor, Gazecki follows the current trend of one-sided documentary filmmaking. "Waco" often isn't so much a documentary as it is propaganda for pro-Koresh sympathizers.
He begins making his case by presenting the little-known early history of the Branch Davidians, who actually splintered off the Seventh-Day Adventist religion in the 1930s. David Koresh (real name: Vernon Howell) "inherited" leadership of the sect in the late '80s after leader George Roden, the militant "Madman of Waco," was convicted of murder.
According to Gazecki's sympathetic portrayal, Koresh (who took his two adopted names from Biblical heroes) believed he was the prophesied "Lamb of God" and attempted to take the sect on a more peaceful course than that of his predecessor.
However, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms agents believed the cult was illegally modifying weapons and attempted to raid the compound for evidence — the implication being that the federal agents were looking for a "slam dunk" after the disastrous Ruby Ridge siege in Idaho. But the incident resulted in casualties on both sides and began the infamous 51-day standoff instead.
Frustrated FBI and ATF agents began using psychological warfare against cult members and when that didn't work, stormed the complex with armed transports and injected tear gas.
But according to Gazecki's experts, who include a former Houston fire chief, explosive residue from the gas may have actually created fireballs that quickly consumed the structure.
Such compelling arguments, as well as interviews with the cult members and survivors, will probably leave many wanting answers — as will some unconvincing lies told by federal agents to the cult members during negotiations and lawmakers during Congressional hearings held after the tragedy.
"Waco: The Rules of Engagement" is not rated, but would probably receive an R for profanity, violence and shots of some gory photos of burn victims.
Editor's note: There will be a special benefit screening of "Waco: Rules of Engagement" on Monday evening at the Tower Theatre. For details, see related story on Page W12.