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Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS (2017): Cast & Ratings

Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS (2017) movie poster

Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS is a 2017 documentary directed by Sebastian Junger and Nick Quested, starring Peter Bergen, Peter Bouckaert and Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi. It runs 1 hour 39 minutes. Critics gave it 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 84 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10.

IMDb rating
7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
100%
Echo Score
88
Metascore
84
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Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 39m (99 min)
Genre
Documentary
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS About?

The premise of Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS without spoilers.

Sebastian Junger and Nick Quested explore the complex and devastating conflict in Syria, documenting its descent into chaos and the emergence of ISIS. The filmmakers gain exclusive access to clandestine groups, providing a firsthand look at the rise of the terrorist organization and its far-reaching consequences. Through expert analysis and on-the-ground reporting, the documentary examines the multiple perspectives shaping this crisis and the profound threat it poses to global security.

Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS Themes & Keywords

· 2 tags
  • survival
  • 2010s
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Cast & crew

Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS Cast

Peter Bergen leads the cast, with Peter Bouckaert and Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi. Directed by Sebastian Junger and Nick Quested; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS

· 6 more
From the directors

More from Sebastian Junger and Nick Quested

More films directed by Sebastian Junger and Nick Quested, best-rated first: Which Way Is the Front Line from Here? The Life and Time of Tim Hetherington, Restrepo, Korengal and Blood on the Wall.

Ratings

Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 84 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 88/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (72).

88 /100

Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of artful composition, Hell on Earth presents a deeply informative and potent account of Syria’s descent into conflict. It synthesizes a wide range of archival footage and expert commentary into a coherent whole without resorting to embellishment. The film maintains merciless clarity through deliberate pacing and judicious editing, grounding its narrative in raw visual testimony. While the unflinching presentation can be emotionally taxing, it underlines the documentary’s educational rigor. Ultimately, Hell on Earth achieves a compelling balance between depth and accessibility.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of Art & Craft, the film leverages raw on-the-ground footage and careful editing to present a clear depiction of events. Direction favors straightforward staging over stylistic flourish, while production design relies on authentic archival materials. Transitions between sources are seamless, reinforcing the film’s informative goals with purposeful visual cohesion.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    When it comes to Character & Emotion, the documentary conveys profound emotional weight through firsthand testimonies and expert analyses. Performances are unscripted but compelling, offering nuanced glimpses of individual experiences amid large-scale tragedy. Emotional resonance is heightened by moments of quiet reflection interwoven with brutal imagery. Overall, the film succeeds in eliciting empathetic insight into the human cost.

  • Story & Flow 88

    In terms of Story & Flow, Hell on Earth organizes complex developments into a coherent chronological narrative. Pacing is measured, with careful attention to cause-and-effect relationships guiding the viewer through successive phases of the conflict. The structured approach enhances engagement and understanding, avoiding digressions while maintaining momentum. Ultimately, the narrative framework clarifies intricate dynamics without sacrificing depth.

  • Sensory Experience 88

    When it comes to Sensory Experience, the film employs unvarnished audio and visual elements to immerse viewers in the unfolding crisis. The raw sound design accentuates ambient noise and voices, while the unfiltered imagery delivers stark visual impact. Music is used sparingly, reinforcing moments of tension. Together, these elements create a visceral atmosphere that underscores the documentary’s gravity.

  • Rewatch Factor 72

    In terms of Rewatch Factor, the documentary’s harrowing subject matter may limit repeated viewings, as its unrelenting intensity can be emotionally draining. However, its structured presentation and informative detail reward subsequent viewings for those seeking deeper context. While not suited for casual replays, it retains lasting appeal as an educational resource.

Videos

Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS.

Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS Trailer #1 (2017) | Movieclips Indie
Details

Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS Also Known As

13 alternative titles, including “ENTRE A SIRIA E O ESTADO ISLAMICO” and “Ад на Земята: Възходът на Ислямска държава”.

Also known as
  • ENTRE A SIRIA E O ESTADO ISLAMICO
  • Ад на Земята: Възходът на Ислямска държава
  • Inferno sulla terra: il crollo della Siria e il potere dell'ISIS
  • Ад на Земята: Падането на Сирия и възходът на ИДИЛ
  • Entre a Síria e o Estado Islâmico
  • 地狱之地:叙利亚的衰落与ISIS的崛起
  • El infierno en la Tierra: la caída de Siria y el ascenso del ISIS
  • Hell On Earth: A Relação Entre a Síria e o ISIS
  • IS: 그들이 지배한 세상
  • 人間煉獄:敘利亞衰亡與IS崛起
  • Krieg und Terror - In der Hölle Syriens
  • Maanpäällinen helvetti: Syyrian kriisi ja ISISin nousu
+1 more
  • 人間地獄

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From the blog

Articles About Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS

Our article about Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS: “Exploring the Evolution of War Documentaries”.

FAQ

Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS?

Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS runs 1 hour 39 minutes (99 minutes).

When was Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS released?

Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS was released on May 19, 2017.

Who directed Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS?

Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS was directed by Sebastian Junger and Nick Quested.

More films by Sebastian Junger

Who is in the cast of Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS?

Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS stars Peter Bergen, Peter Bouckaert and Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, among 10 credited actors.

How is Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS rated?

Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS has 7.5/10 on IMDb, 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 84 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.

Does Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS have a post-credit scene?

No. Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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