IMDb > Charlie Wilson's War (2007)
Charlie Wilson's War
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Charlie Wilson's War (2007) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 82 | slideshow) Videos (see all 25)
Charlie Wilson's War (2007) -- Charlie Wilson's War Trailer
Charlie Wilson's War (2007) -- Clip: Charlie tells Joanne to dial down the religion
Charlie Wilson's War (2007) -- Interview: Mike Nichols "On working with three powerhouse actors"
Charlie Wilson's War (2007) -- In this Comment from London, Simon Bates takes a look at two recent movies - "The Bucket List" and "Charlie Wilson's War" - and explains why he feels the films are a little too lighthearted.
Charlie Wilson's War (2007) -- A drama based on a Texas congressman Charlie Wilson's covert dealings in Afghanistan, where his efforts to assist rebels in their war with the Soviets have some unforeseen and long-reaching effects.

Overview

User Rating:
7.4/10   38,688 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?

Down 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.

Director:

Mike Nichols

Writers (WGA):

Aaron Sorkin (screenplay)
George Crile (book)

Contact:

View company contact information for Charlie Wilson's War on IMDbPro.

Release Date:

21 December 2007 (USA) more

Genre:

Biography | Drama more

Tagline:

Based on a true story. You think we could make all this up? more

Plot:

A drama based on a Texas congressman Charlie Wilson's covert dealings in Afghanistan, where his efforts to assist rebels in their war with the Soviets have some unforeseen and long-reaching effects. full summary | full synopsis

Plot Keywords:

more

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 3 wins & 10 nominations more

NewsDesk:
(92 articles)

Mike Nichols Has Achieved Much in His Lifetime, Says AFI
 (From FilmSchoolRejects. 12 October 2009, 11:51 AM, PDT)

Mike Nichols to Get AFI Life Achievement Honor
 (From The Wrap. 11 October 2009, 1:52 PM, PDT)

User Comments:

Refreshing Political Satire more (239 total)

US TV Schedule:

Sat. Nov. 2112:45 PMMAX   


Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

MPAA:

Rated R for strong language, nudity/sexual content and some drug use.

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

USA

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1 more

Sound Mix:

SDDS | DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Ireland:15A | South Korea:15 | Singapore:NC-16 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Australia:M | Germany:12 | Netherlands:12 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Finland:K-11 | USA:R (certificate #44037) | Argentina:13 | Sweden:7 | Hong Kong:IIB | UK:15 | Malaysia:18PL | Brazil:14 | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Spain:13 | Portugal:M/12 | New Zealand:M | Iceland:12 (original rating) | Iceland:16 (video rating)


Fun Stuff

Trivia:

Charlie Wilson's aides were all beautiful well-endowed women nicknamed "Charlie's Angels". In real life, his chief aide was a man named Charlie Schnabel. more

Goofs:

Continuity: During the talk with Larry Liddle when Charlie's assistant hides his mug of whiskey in a drawer, she at first uses her left hand to lift the mug, but in the next shot she's holding the mug in her right hand placing it in the drawer. Her holding it in her right hand allows for her cleavage to show. more

Quotes:

[first lines]
CIA Award Presenter: The defeat and break up of the Soviet empire, culminating in the crumbing of the Berlin wall, is one of the great events of world history. There were many heros in this battle, but to Charlie Wilson must go this special recognition. Just thirteen years ago the Soviet army appeared to be invincible...
more

Movie Connections:

References "Dallas" (1978) more

Soundtrack:

OPUS 1 more


FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
66 out of 100 people found the following comment useful.
Refreshing Political Satire, 29 December 2007
8/10
Author: Michael Margetis (pmargetis@cox.net) from United States

In one of the better movies of the year, Tom Hanks stars as Congressman Charlie Wilson in this sardonically funny and extremely relevant (given reasonably current events) historical comedy-drama surrounding the 1980s Afghan/Soviet fiasco. The Soviets were attacking Afghanistan killing hundreds of people. Why should anyone care? People are dying, right? No, the reason the United States got involved through Charlie Wilson was because the Afghans, in fear they would get blown to sh_t, started illegally coming into Pakistan which in turn p_ssed Pakistani President Mohammad Zia ul-Haq off. Charlie Wilson in an effort to fix this situation teamed up with the sixth richest woman and religious fanatic in Texas, Joanne Herring (Julia Roberts) and a amusing and robust American spy for the CIA, Gust Avrakotos (Philip Seymour Hoffman) to help supply Afghans with high-tech weapons to destroy Soviet fight air-craft that would try and attack their land.

Although certainly not a serious Oscar contender for Best Picture, 'Charlie Wilson's War' is probably one of the best of the many political films of the year. Academy Award Winner Mike Nichols provides solid directing as to be expected while Emmy Award Winner Aaron Sorkin (Sport's Night, The West Wing) provides a remarkable screenplay that near-flawlessly balances comedy and drama. The acting is great for the most part as well. Tom Hanks delivers his best and most enjoyable performance since his 2000 Oscar-nominated turn as a FedEx worker stranded on a tropical island in 'Cast Away'. Hanks takes a slimy character like Wilson and with his trademark charm turns him into a likable guy. Amy Adams and Ned Beatty are reliable as always, but the real stand-out performance of the film is from Philip Seymour Hoffman. Arguably the finest actor working in the film industry today, Hoffman takes a small supporting role and upstages everyone around him. From his first scene where he's screaming at his boss before violently breaking his window, Hoffman sucks you in. The only disappointing cast member is unsurprisingly overrated Hollywood starlet Julia Roberts. Hamming her way through yet another movie, Roberts' overbearing and over-the-top portrayal of a rich Texas oil woman hits all the wrong notes and is at most times flat-out annoying. At 97 minutes, the movie is short and sweet, and that isn't to say it doesn't drag at some points but when it does drag it's for a very brief amount of time.

In conclusion, 'Charlie Wilson's War' is not a perfect film by any means, but it's certainly worth a look. Grade: B+

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At the risk of being controversial therollerkings
Afghanistan and Iraq claudio_in_uk
Al Qaeda's origins ravinder-chaudhary
Am I the only one that doesn't think that Charlie is a hero emperorlastone
Setting Some Things Straight About Charlie TTKforU
Taliban Dario_Uruguay
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