Courage Under Fire (1996)

Director:

Edward Zwick

Writer (WGA):

Patrick Sheane Duncan (written by)

Release Date:

12 July 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama | War | Mystery

Tagline:

In wartime, the first casualty is always truth.

Plot:

A US Army officer, despondent about a deadly mistake he made, investigates a female chopper commander's worthiness for the Medal of Honor.

Plot Keywords:

War | Friendly Fire | Family Member | Military Life | Investigation

Awards:

9 wins & 2 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Thur. July 10

12:20 PM

MAX

Cast

Denzel Washington	...	Lt. Colonel Nathaniel Serling
Meg Ryan	...	Captain Karen Emma Walden
Lou Diamond Phillips	...	Staff Sergeant John Monfriez
Michael Moriarty	...	Brigadier General Hershberg
Matt Damon	...	Specialist Ilario
Bronson Pinchot	...	Bruno
Seth Gilliam	...	Altameyer
Regina Taylor	...	Meredith Serling
Zeljko Ivanek	...	Ben Banacek
Scott Glenn	...	Tony Gartner, Washington Post
Tim Guinee	...	Rady
Tim Ransom	...	Boylar
Sean Astin	...	Patella
Armand Darrius	...	Robins
Ned Vaughn	...	Lieutenant Chelli

MPAA:

Rated R for war violence and language.

Runtime:

117 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:16 (video rating) | New Zealand:M | South Korea:15 | Iceland:14 (original rating) | USA:R (certificate #34505) | Philippines:PG-13 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | Germany:12 (w) | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

Fox 2000 Pictures

Trivia:

Denzel Washington visited with B 1-12 CAV at Fort Hood to prepare for his role LTC Nate Serling. The dip he puts in while giving his OPORD in the opening sequence is a tribute to the time he spent with B 1-12.

Goofs:

Continuity: Boylar's insignia indicates he is a captain, yet he is referred to as a lieutenant.

Quotes:

[after leading his troops in a prayer]
Nathaniel Serling: Now let's kill 'em all.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Naked Movie (2002)

Soundtrack:

Angel from Montgomery

Got overlooked at the Oscars!

This movie was definitely overlooked by the Academy. It could have and should have won some major awards, or at least been nominated. The acting is first-rate. Denzel Washington brings his usual quiet dignity to his role as a man with inner struggles; Meg Ryan demonstrates her range as an actress, showing that she can portray a serious, tough character just as well as the lighthearted, comedic roles in which we are used to seeing her. And Lou Diamond Phillips is especially impressive, giving a multi-layered performance as Monfriez, a troubled soldier. He is the kind of guy you hope you never meet, yet you wouldn't know it on the surface. Excellent film.