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IMDb > Tears of the Sun (2003)
Tears of the Sun
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Tears of the Sun (2003) More at IMDb Pro »

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Overview

User Rating:
6.4/10   25,088 votes
Director:
Antoine Fuqua
Writers (WGA):
Alex Lasker (written by) &
Patrick Cirillo (written by)
Release Date:
7 March 2003 (USA) more
Genre:
Action | Drama | Thriller more
Tagline:
He was trained to follow orders. He became a hero by defying them. more
Plot:
Bruce Willis plays a Special-Ops commander who leads his team into the jungle of Nigeria to rescue a doctor played by Monica Belluci who will only go with them if they agree to rescue 70 refugees too. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(16 articles)
Revolution Winding Down (From Studio Briefing. 1 May 2006)
Willis Sues 'Tears of the Sun' Producers (From WENN. 24 November 2004)
User Comments:
A very powerful and authentic film with a strong moral theme more

Cast

 (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Hostile Act (USA) (working title)
Hostile Rescue (USA) (working title)
Man of War (USA) (working title)
Rules of Engagement (USA) (original script title)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for strong war violence, some brutality and language.
Runtime:
121 min | 142 min (director's cut)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS
MOVIEmeter: ?
^ 24% since last week why?

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Emerson knives were used in this film. These knives are handcrafted and extremely popular in law enforcement and military communities. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: The aim-point sight on Lt. Waters's M-4 is incorrectly mounted. It is facing in the wrong direction, making it useless. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Female news reader: [voiceover] The tension that had been brewing for months in Nigeria exploded yesterday as exiled General Mustafa Yakubu orchestrated a swift and violent coup against the democratically elected government of President Samuel Azuka. In a land with 120 million people and over 250 ethnic groups...
more
Movie Connections:
References Geheimcode: Wildgänse (1984) more

FAQ

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37 out of 51 people found the following comment useful:-
A very powerful and authentic film with a strong moral theme, 22 July 2005
9/10
Author: cooperaitaliano from France/Switzerland

This film was simply incredible. I didn't see it at the cinema, which upon seeing it later on DVD release, regretting missing first time round.

It made some incredibly powerful statements and was very difficult to watch. I rarely admit to this, but I actually found parts of it so moving, that I cried! And I never cry.

The choice of Bruce Willis was a good one and he plays a deeply conflicted character, he plays him with depth. I have seen Monica Belucci in films before. She is an incredibly gifted actress and she really believed in this project. Her character comes across as having strong religious and moral convictions, prepared to die to help and protect others. This comes across in the decisions she takes and the willingness to stand strong under pressure.

Having seen the Documentary on the special features section of the DVD afterwards, I could see the incredible lengths that everyone attached to the filming went to. Each of the actors playing Seal Team members, went through some very authentic training in preparation and stayed in character outside of filming during the day. Given the commitment of all those attached to the film, I can see why the film is what it is.

The director, Antoine Fuqua, from the films I have seen in which he directed, brings a strong moral theme to his characters and the story. The whole visual manner of filming, camera angles, close ups etc adds to the intensity here.

The choice of filter during filming, that gives a subdued and darker feeling visually, was perfect. The use of Africans as extras was an interesting and a suitable choice, given their backgrounds. Many of these extras were showing genuine emotions which was captured on camera, as they relived traumatic moments in their lives when certain scenes were filmed.

On that note, one scene in particular made for very difficult viewing, but totally in context and I would expect it would provoke a strong reaction from viewers, for good reason. The actual combat scenes are kept selectively short and in context to the overall film. They are also very realistic.

The soundtrack was well suited and complimented the whole overall feel to the film. I would not say that this film was entertaining, it is very hard to watch but it is an example of good film that will challenge everyone who watches it and who has a conscience.

After seeing this film, as with Hotel Rwanda and Tears of the Sun, I am constantly reminded of our individual and collective moral responsibilities in the 'civilised Western World' when atrocities are committed. And it sits badly with my conscience that 'we' in the West do so little and so late in trying to stop such genocide from happening. I for one think that every adult should see it.

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