A retired Madison man, who served in the Iraq War, was recently invited to the premiere of the film Warfare at the prestigious DGA Theater Complex in Los Angeles.
Matt McGraw, a retired U.S. Army Major, served as a first lieutenant and infantry platoon leader during the 2006 Battle of Ramadi in Iraq. The film, directed by former Navy SEAL Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland, centers on a day during the Battle of Ramadi, where an attempted evacuation turned into a deadly ordeal.
Reflecting on the film, McGraw shared, “We had to overcome a lot of challenges that day. For the SEALs, it was especially significant because the movie shows not only Elliott’s injuries but also an Iraqi element that accompanied them, many of whom were also wounded during the mass casualty evacuation.”
McGraw, who attended the premiere in March, expressed admiration for the film’s authenticity. Released last Friday, Warfare earned an impressive $8 million at the box office in its opening weekend, securing a fourth-place finish.
The retired Army officer noted that the film offers a strikingly realistic portrayal of the battle. “I think it captured the events of that day in Ramadi perfectly,” he said. “I was blown away by the movie. It was the most realistic depiction of warfare I’ve seen since Saving Private Ryan. The attention to detail in every aspect was phenomenal, and Ray and Alex truly deserve credit for their remarkable work in bringing this story to life.”
Warfare provides an intense and gripping depiction of a pivotal moment in the Iraq War, earning high praise for its accuracy and emotional depth from those who lived through it.
