Where to Watch
Checking availability in your country…
Cast
Dan Gifford
as Narrator (voice)
Clive Doyle
as Self - Branch Davidian
Jack Harwell
as Self - Sheriff
Joseph Penno
as Self - Former Chief, Houston Fire Department
Dick J. Reavis
as Self - Author
James D. Tabor
as Self - Biblical Scholar
David Thibodeau
as Self - Branch Davidian
Joe Biden
as Self - U.S. Senate (archive footage) (uncredited)
Sonny Bono
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Howard Coble
as Self - U.S. Congress (archive footage) (uncredited)
Movie Info & Details
Release Year1997
Runtime2h 16m
LanguageEN
CertificationNR
GenresDocumentary
Votes52
DirectorWilliam Gazecki
WritersWilliam Gazecki, Dan Gifford
TypeFeature Film
Rating7.6 out of 10
Cast10 credited
Also Known AsWaco: The Rules of Engagement
About Waco: The Rules of Engagement
In one of the most tragic face-offs in the history of law enforcement, the deadly debacle at Waco pitted the Branch Davidian sect against the FBI in an all-out war. This documentary makes the most of footage and recordings to examine how the events that led to the tragedy of April 19, 1993, unfolded, and how the FBI's unrelenting approach made what was already a bad situation much worse.
Directed by William Gazecki, Waco: The Rules of Engagement leans on a strong ensemble — Dan Gifford, Clive Doyle, Jack Harwell — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.
The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about documentary titles of 1997.
Read More on the Blog
You Might Also Like
More like Waco: The Rules of Engagement, picked from what people are watching
8.3S4: The Bob Lazar Story
2026 8.3
Over 35 years after Bob Lazar's revelations, this documentary exposes secrets of a facility the government still denies. Featuring Lazar's testimony, recreations, and new evidence, it reopens a case that continues to spark global curiosity
S4: The Bob Lazar Story
2026
6.2Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story
2025 6.2
Unravel the case of Utah therapist Jodi Hildebrandt, whose child abuse arrest with parenting YouTuber Ruby Franke exposed a twisted tale of manipulation.
Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story
2025
7.7Citizenfour
2014 7.7
In June 2013, Laura Poitras and reporter Glenn Greenwald flew to Hong Kong for the first of many meetings with Edward Snowden. She brought her camera with her.
Citizenfour
2014
6.4A Toxic Love Story
2026 6.4
A string of threatening emails escalates into a revenge plot involving a newly married US marshal and his ex-girlfriend.
A Toxic Love Story
2026
5.8Trainwreck: Balloon Boy
2025 5.8
A homemade flying saucer lifts off, and a 6-year-old boy might be inside. National panic ensues — but what truly happened? This documentary investigates.
Trainwreck: Balloon Boy
2025
6.9Oklahoma City
2017 6.9
The bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in April 1995 is the worst act of domestic terrorism in American history. This documentary explores how a series of deadly encounters between American citizens and federal law enforcement—including the standoffs at Ruby Ridge and Waco—led to it.
Oklahoma City
2017
User Reviews
7.6
Community rating
Loading reviews…
From the Blog
All Posts
News
Michael OTT Release Date: The Michael Jackson Biopic Streams August 29
The Michael Jackson biopic arrives on JioHotstar on August 29, 2026. Here is where to watch it, what you need, and why it is one of the year’s biggest music films.
News
Jana Nayagan OTT Release Date: When Vijay’s Film Streams on ZEE5
Thalapathy Vijay’s Jana Nayagan is headed to ZEE5 for its digital premiere. Here is the latest on its OTT release date and where to watch, updated as news is confirmed.
News
Cocktail 2 OTT Release: Now Streaming on Netflix
The wait is over. Cocktail 2 premiered on Netflix on August 14, 2026. Here is how to watch it tonight, which languages it streams in, and what you need.