Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Inspiring docu has positive messages, some wartime violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The White Helmets
What's the Story?
In war-torn Syria, a group of 2900 private citizens formed THE WHITE HELMETS, a group of first responders who have, in just three years, saved an estimated 58,000 lives during the intense bombing that has taken place as the Syrian government, with assistance from Russian fighter planes, bombed places with high concentrations of civilians, such as hospitals, in order to fight ISIS. This short documentary interviews and follows several of The White Helmets as they explain why they do what they do, the ideals that drive them, and how they maintain such bravery in the face of so much peril. This peril is brought to the forefront as one of the men, while in Turkey at a White Helmets training camp, learns that his brother has died during the bombing of a hospital. In the midst of such devastating tragedy, The White Helmets press on, believing that, "To save a life is to save humanity."
Is It Any Good?
One of the many incredible facets to this documentary is how much it manages to convey in 40 minutes. Through their filmed actions, through interviews, and by simply presenting what's happening in Syria, what emerges is a portrait of unstoppable idealism and bravery, a kind of integrity and greatness rarely conveyed by a news media and many Americans who would prefer to lump all Muslims into one simple and inaccurate category: terrorists.
The scenes of the bombings, of the rescues, of babies being saved from rubble, of children whose lives were saved by THE WHITE HELMETS, show an incredibly heroic group of citizen first responders who have saved the lives of an estimated 58,000 people in just three years, and live by the idea that "To save a life is to save humanity." By letting The White Helmets speak for themselves, in the present, without documentary filmmaker insertion, a deeper understanding of what is happening in Syria on the most basic, day-to-day level, emerges, and the documentary is as unforgettable as it is profound.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the following comment said by one of The White Helmets during an interview: "To save a life is to save humanity." What do you think that means, and how do you see this applied throughout the documentary?
What are the ways in which the documentary reveals the character and beliefs of those who are active in The White Helmets?
How does The White Helmets show a side to the Middle East and the culture of the Middle East not often discussed in our media?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : September 16, 2016
- Cast : Khaled Farah , Mohammed Farah , Abu Omar
- Director : Orlando von Einsiedel
- Studio : Grain Media
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Courage , Integrity , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 40 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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