Jim: The James Foley Story

2016 1h 51m EN

👍

7.4

SOLID

★7.4TMDB · 43

Documentary

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

In August, 2014, a video of the public execution of American photojournalist James Foley rippled across the globe. Foley wore an orange jumpsuit as he knelt beside an ISIS militant dressed in black. That image challenged the world to deal with a new face of terror. And it tested one American family. Seen through the lens of filmmaker Brian Oakes, Foley’s close childhood friend, Jim takes us from small-town New England to the adrenaline-fueled front lines of Libya and Syria, where Foley pushed the limits of danger to report on the plight of civilians impacted by war.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

WhatsApp X Facebook Telegram

Where to watch · US

HBO Max Amazon ChannelSubscription

HBO MaxSubscription

Amazon VideoRent

Google Play MoviesRent

YouTubeRent

Amazon VideoBuy

Google Play MoviesBuy

YouTubeBuy

Cast

Ben Chase
Jim (recreations)
Diane Foley
Self
James Foley
Self (archive footage)
John Foley
Self
Michael D. Joseph
Hostage (recreations)
Magnus Tonning Riise
Daniel (recreations)
Brian Oakes
Self

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Brian Oakes
Writers: Chris Chuang, Brian Oakes, Heather MacDonald
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 10 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

CRAFT

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Brian Oakes, shot by Matthew Vandyke. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Saul Simon MacWilliams. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Aleks Gezentsvey shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Ben Chase and Diane Foley and James Foley carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt5278466 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

Only 43 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Brian Oakes directs. Matthew Vandyke behind the camera. Saul Simon MacWilliams scores. Aleks Gezentsvey cuts. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 10 years ago.
2Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
3Directed by Brian Oakes, shot by Matthew Vandyke. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Saul Simon MacWilliams. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Aleks Gezentsvey shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Ben Chase and Diane Foley and James Foley carry the top of the cast.
7IMDB entry: tt5278466 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
8Only 43 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

The technical file

Cinematography: Matthew Vandyke
Original score: Saul Simon MacWilliams
Editing: Aleks Gezentsvey
Runtime: 111 min · 1h 51m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Original language: EN
IMDB: Jim: The James Foley Story (2016)

Also by

Brian Oakes

Stills · wallpapers

Selected frames

Full-resolution frames — open one to save it as a wallpaper.

Wallpaper

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Community reviews

What people are saying

Reno2017-02-26
★ 8/10
On the battlefront with a camera. I thought it had a chance at the Oscars. But after checking out the nominees again, I realised it's in there, except a place in the list of Original Song. Having watched it, I know it is not a masterpiece as it should have been, but the film's intention was fulfilled. They have revealed everything we wanted to know. Everything from the Jim's perspective, though his friends and family. In some way this film can be compared to 'Into the Wild'. The only difference is what kind of challenge those two were chosen to face. In one, about the nature and in another, made made. A man with no ambition, but he was desperate to do something and then finally he discovered what it is. So James Foley was an average American and had his family's backing of whatever he wanted to do with his life. But shocked them by announcing to be a photojournalist on the battlefront. His first volunteer assignment was in Libya. Made a few friends and ventured together to get what they wanted. Soon a terrible thing happened, but he did not back off. Following that he went to Syria and can he be second time lucky, is what the remaining tale discloses for us. ❝Jim has a million dollar resume and a ten cent interview.❞ First of all, I knew Jame Foley story through the media coverages when it hit the headline a couple of years ago. But I did not know this film was based on that, until I saw it. Not easy to watch if you have already known what's going to happen at the end or seen the original clip. I was uncomfortable watching the entire film. Because I think I'm too soft for such kind of conclusion. All I know is if it was the Bush administration, the response would have been different. The film was directed by the Jim's childhood friend. I hope someday someone would make a feature film based on this documentary. If you had seen 'A Thousand Time Good Night', you would know what it is like to be in a combat zone. A similar kind of film, but the result was different. Those being the conflict journalists are really very brave to be at the frontline with the cameras, not the guns. Bullets and bombs flying everything, just one hit, totally fatal. Hats off to them to let us know what's happening in those parts of the world. It covered well, all the basic information about Jim, before entering to the crucial section. When you know enough about him, you start to feel and see from his perspective. There are some recreated accounts, just to give the original effect. But you have to have your own imagination, as much as possible realistic like when you do for reading books. Because that's where it little slipped away, otherwise, and still it is a great documentary. This is a must see film, particularly if you are familiar with the name James Foley. 8/10

Production companies