WarActionDrama

Tears of the Sun

- He was trained to follow orders. He became a hero by defying them.

Navy SEAL Lieutenant A.K. Waters and his elite squadron of tactical specialists are forced to choose between their duty and their humanity, between following orders by ignoring the conflict that surrounds them, or finding the courage to follow their conscience and protect a group of innocent refugees. When the democratic government of Nigeria collapses and the country is taken over by a ruthless military dictator, Waters, a fiercely loyal and hardened veteran is dispatched on a routine mission to retrieve a Doctors Without Borders physician.

Release Date : 2003-03-07

Language :EnglishSpanish

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Columbia PicturesRevolution StudiosCheyenne EnterprisesMichael Lobell Productions

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles : Hostile ActRules of EngagementTears of the Sun (2003)

Cast

Character Name : Lieutenant A.K. Waters

Original Name : Bruce Willis

Gender : Male

Character Name : Dr. Lena Fiore Kendricks

Original Name : Monica Bellucci

Gender : Female

Character Name : James 'Red' Atkins

Original Name : Cole Hauser

Gender : Male

Character Name : Ellis 'Zee' Pettigrew

Original Name : Eamonn Walker

Gender : Male

Character Name : Kelly Lake

Original Name : Johnny Messner

Gender : Male

Character Name : Michael 'Slo' Slowenski

Original Name : Nick Chinlund

Gender : Male

Character Name : Captain Bill Rhodes

Original Name : Tom Skerritt

Gender : Male

Character Name : Patience

Original Name : Akosua Busia

Gender : Female

Character Name : Terwase

Original Name : Peter Mensah

Gender : Male

Character Name : Colonel Idris Sadick

Original Name : Malick Bowens

Gender : Male

Character Name : Jason 'Flea' Mabry

Original Name : Chad Smith

Gender : Male

Character Name : Demetrius 'Silk' Owens

Original Name : Charles Ingram

Gender : Male

Character Name : Danny 'Doc' Kelley

Original Name : Paul Francis

Gender : Male

Character Name : Arthur Azuka

Original Name : Sammi Rotibi

Gender : Male

Character Name : Gideon

Original Name : Jimmy Jean-Louis

Gender : Male

Character Name : Musa

Original Name : Awaovieyi Agie

Gender : Male

Character Name : Lasana

Original Name : Ida Onyango

Gender : Male

Character Name : Colonel Emanuel Okeze

Original Name : Benjamin Ochieng

Gender : Male

Character Name : General Mustafa Yakubu

Original Name : Kanayo Chiemelu

Gender : Male

Character Name : Amaka

Original Name : Hadar Busia-Singleton

Gender : Female

Character Name : Bujo

Original Name : Fabrice Yahve Habimana Jr.

Gender : Male

Character Name : Sister Grace

Original Name : Fionnula Flanagan

Gender : Female

Character Name : Sister Siobhan

Original Name : Cornelia Hayes O'Herlihy

Gender : Female

Character Name : Father Gianni

Original Name : Pierrino Mascarino

Gender : Male

Character Name : President Samuel Azuka

Original Name : Howard Mungo

Gender : Male

Character Name : Mission Rebel

Original Name : Cle Sloan

Gender : Male

Character Name : Rape Victim

Original Name : Allison Dean

Gender : Female

Character Name : Christopher Marwa

Original Name : Rodney Charles

Gender : Male

Character Name : Village Woman

Original Name : Jewel McDonald

Gender : Female

Character Name : Carrier Reporter

Original Name : Harry Van Gorkum

Gender : Male

Character Name : Rhodes' Aide

Original Name : Michael Clossin

Gender : Male

Reviews

Wuchak

@Wuchak

2023-01-29

**_Solemn life-or-death jungle mission is one-note, but worthwhile for a few reasons_** A squadron of Navy Seals led by Lt. Waters (Bruce Willis) are ordered to Nigeria to remove a beautiful American doctor (Monica Belucci) from a Christian village before Islamic militants move in and annihilate 'em all. The Doctor insists that "her people" go with them and so Waters opts for leading 'em out on foot to the Cameroon border. Will they make it out alive? "Tears of the Sun" (2003) has an ultra-serious vibe and _some_ depth. If you appreciate "The 7th Dawn" (1964) with William Holden and Capucine, this is cut from the same cloth, just with modern production quality and more focus on grim jungle drama & action, like "Rambo" (2008). While it's arguably on par with "The 7th Dawn," it doesn't stand with the giants of the genre, such as "Apocalypse Now" (1979) or "Platoon" (1986). For one thing, the characters outside of those played by Willis and Belucci are relatively forgettable, which isn't the case with "Apocalypse Now" and "Platoon" wherein you know and remember the bulk of the key characters. Another good example would be "Last Of The Mohicans" (1992), which has a similar tone and theme, i.e. protagonists being chased through the forest by savage antagonists. The issue I have with "Tears of the Sun" is that it jumps right into the thick of the jungle story without allowing the viewer to get to know anyone. The theme is heavy and the vibe is fittingly serious, including the score, but because we aren't emotionally tied to the characters the picture comes across too heavy-handed and melodramatic. It doesn't help that it's one-dimensional. Meanwhile the 2-hour movie is fairly slow moving with the big-action sequence not taking place until the finale. The problem with this "exciting" climax is that the viewer, once again, doesn't care what happens at this point because we don't really know the characters and therefore have little emotional attachment. Although the story takes place in Nigeria the picture was obviously shot in Hawaii. The difference in geography is enough that the film loses points for realism, but who can deny the beauty of Hawaii? So maybe it gains the points back. The Director's Cut merely adds the deleted scenes from the Special Edition DVD to the film. In other words, unless you absolutely love the flick it's not necessary to buy the Director's Cut; just watch the deleted scenes. Speaking of the deleted scenes, there's one quietly potent scene where a black American talks with a black Nigerian. It has good dialogue and should've never been cut. Yet "Tears of the Sun" has some attributes, including the ultra-serious vibe, cinematography, score and Monica Belucci. The harrowing sequence where the squadron saves a rural village from some ruthless militants is well done. But this is far from a good film IMHO; at the same time, it's not bad and has its points of interest. Check out "Rambo" (2008) if you want to see the same theme done in a more effective manner. GRADE: B-/C+