IMDb > The Hurt Locker (2008)
The Hurt Locker
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user reviewsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Hurt Locker (2008) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 47 | slideshow) Videos (see all 23)
The Hurt Locker (2008) -- In Baghdad, members of a bomb-disposal team near the end of their rotation deadline are pulled into a deadly game of urban combat by a new sergeant (Renner).
The Hurt Locker (2008) -- The Hurt Locker Clip - "Drop the Phone"
The Hurt Locker (2008) -- Trailer for this film about a soldier who disarms bombs
The Hurt Locker (2008) -- Trailer for this action film about a soldier who disarms bombs
The Hurt Locker (2008) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
8.0/10   53,953 votes »
Your Rating:
Saving vote...
Deleting vote...
/10   (delete | history)
Sorry, there was a problem
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 16% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Mark Boal (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Hurt Locker on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
10 October 2008 (Italy) See more »
Genre:
Tagline:
You'll know when you're in it. See more »
Plot:
Iraq. Forced to play a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse in the chaos of war, an elite Army bomb squad unit must come together in a city where everyone is a potential enemy and every object could be a deadly bomb. Full summary » | Full synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won 6 Oscars. Another 72 wins & 46 nominations See more »
NewsDesk:
(3245 articles)
green zone
 (From SoundOnSight. 10 March 2010, 10:02 PM, PST)

OscarSpotting…One More Look Back
 (From FusedFilm. 10 March 2010, 9:22 PM, PST)

User Reviews:
TIFF 2008: The Hurt Locker - World class war-action cinema See more (432 total) »
US Showtimes:
Culver Plaza Theatres 12:00pm | 2:40 | 5:30 | 8:10 (personalize) See more »

Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for war violence and language.
Runtime:
131 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.78 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Actor Jeremy Renner tripped and fell down some stairs while carrying an Iraqi boy on the film's set. Shooting was stopped for several days while Renner's ankle healed. See more »
Goofs:
Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): SGT Sanborn says he "came over from Intelligence" before transferring to EOD, yet he wears a Combat Infantryman's Badge. He would not qualify for a CIB in either an Intel or an EOD assignment. It is an award strictly given to Infantry soldiers. Secondly, even if he did legitimately earn a CIB, it is properly worn above the EOD badge. See more »
Quotes:
Opening Quote by Chris Hedges: The rush of battle is often a potent and lethal addiction, for war is a drug. See more »
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "The Jay Leno Show: (#1.84)" (2010) See more »
Soundtrack:
Fear (Is Big Business) See more »

FAQ

A Note Regarding Spoilers
Where does the title come from?
Is "The Hurt Locker" based on a book?
See more »
185 out of 356 people found the following review useful.
TIFF 2008: The Hurt Locker - World class war-action cinema, 10 September 2008
Author: (corstay@hotmail.com) from Canada

Simply put, action ace Kathryn Bigelow's "The Hurt Locker" is a near masterpiece of suspense and unrelenting intensity.

Her first film since 2002's "K-19: The Widowmaker," The Hurt Locker is definitely a return to form from the director of probably the greatest (in this man's humble opinion) surfer-action movie of all time "Point Break." The film follows Bravo company, a team of bomb technicians situated right in the heart of the Iraq war's modern IED warfare. Jeremy Renner, mostly known for impressive performances in "S.W.A.T" and "The Assassination of Jesse James," gives his most riveting performance yet as the lead, Staff Sergeant William James, a reckless but brilliant soldier who has taken down almost 850 bombs.

What separates this film from the bulk of mainstream cinema that has tackled the Iraqi situation is that it doesn't simply exist as a political polemic, or even a reminder of the humanitarian horrors that plague the Iraqi people.

Instead, Bigelow and screenwriter Mark Boal give us a story that transcends politics and can be seen as almost a straight up kick-ass action pic. The film is plotted by increasingly dangerous and fully realized defusion sequences, all of which were shot from beginning to end in single takes with DOP Barry Ackroyd's cameras continuously roving around set in order to create a tense realism that translates well to the screen.

Very elaborate attention to detail and mise-en-scene is in every frame of the pic, with Bigelow choosing to shoot in Jordan and locations being less than 10 KM away from the Iraqi border. And from a searing heat wave ranging up to 49C to actual Iraqi refugees used as extras to impeccable sound design and special guest cameos by Guy Pearce, David Morse and Ralph Fiennes, Bigelow has succeeded in creating an entirely memorable and visceral experience that will surely leave its mark in the pantheon of the very best war spectacles put to film.

Was the above review useful to you?
See more (432 total) »

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Hurt Locker (2008)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
One problem with the sniper battle owen_d_kelly
I don't understand why people don't like it... smoothiedudie
Should have been called LETHAL WEAPON: THE BOMB SQUAD pjsully
Are you serious? This was a terrible film! RCD1321
Probably been said before but reminded me of Generation Kill planetShhhh
So how much was the academy paid off I wonder?? radicon1
See more »

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Inglourious Basterds The Dark Knight Rambo Body of Lies Black Hawk Down
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Action section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.