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IMDbPro

The Dogs of War

  • 19801980
  • RR
  • 1h 42m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
8.8K
YOUR RATING
The Dogs of War (1980)
Trailer 1
Play trailer1:46
1 Video
75 Photos
ActionAdventureDrama
Mercenary James Shannon, on a reconnaissance job to the African nation of Zangaro, is tortured and deported. He returns to lead a coup.Mercenary James Shannon, on a reconnaissance job to the African nation of Zangaro, is tortured and deported. He returns to lead a coup.Mercenary James Shannon, on a reconnaissance job to the African nation of Zangaro, is tortured and deported. He returns to lead a coup.
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
8.8K
YOUR RATING
    • John Irvin
    • Gary DeVore(screenplay)
    • George Malko(screenplay)
    • Frederick Forsyth(novel)
  • Stars
    • Christopher Walken
    • Tom Berenger
    • Colin Blakely
    • John Irvin
    • Gary DeVore(screenplay)
    • George Malko(screenplay)
    • Frederick Forsyth(novel)
  • Stars
    • Christopher Walken
    • Tom Berenger
    • Colin Blakely
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 75User reviews
    • 55Critic reviews
    • 56Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    The Dogs of War
    Trailer 1:46
    Watch The Dogs of War

    Photos75

    The Dogs of War (1980)
    This is the advance poster, 1 sheet 27 x 41
    1 Sheet, 27 X 41
    quad
    The Dogs of War (1980)
    The Dogs of War (1980)
    The Dogs of War (1980)
    JoBeth Williams in The Dogs of War (1980)
    Christopher Walken in The Dogs of War (1980)
    Christopher Walken in The Dogs of War (1980)
    Christopher Walken and Robert Urquhart in The Dogs of War (1980)
    Christopher Walken in The Dogs of War (1980)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Christopher Walken
    Christopher Walken
    • Jamie Shannon
    Tom Berenger
    Tom Berenger
    • Drew
    Colin Blakely
    Colin Blakely
    • North
    Hugh Millais
    • Endean
    Paul Freeman
    Paul Freeman
    • Derek
    Jean-François Stévenin
    • Michel
    • (as Jean François Stevenin)
    JoBeth Williams
    JoBeth Williams
    • Jessie
    Robert Urquhart
    Robert Urquhart
    • Capt. Lockhart
    Winston Ntshona
    Winston Ntshona
    • Dr. Okoye
    Pedro Armendáriz Jr.
    Pedro Armendáriz Jr.
    • The Captain
    • (as Pedro Armendariz Jr.)
    Harlan Cary Poe
    • Richard
    Ed O'Neill
    Ed O'Neill
    • Terry
    Isabel Grandin
    • Evelyn
    Ernest Graves
    • Warner
    Kelvin Thomas
    • The Black Boy
    Shane Rimmer
    Shane Rimmer
    • Dr. Oaks
    Joseph Konrad
    • Priest
    • (as Father Joseph Konrad)
    Bruce McLane
    Bruce McLane
    • Shop Manager
      • John Irvin
      • Gary DeVore(screenplay)
      • George Malko(screenplay)
      • Frederick Forsyth(novel)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      While researching the novel in the early 1970s, author Frederick Forsyth pretended he was actually financing a coup d'etat in Equatorial Guinea. The pretense allowed Forsyth access to a number of underworld figures, including mercenaries and arms dealers. Forsyth has since commented that the arms dealers were the most frightening people he has ever met.
    • Goofs
      Although they are supposed to be receiving training in the use of the Uzi sub-machine gun, several of the mercenaries who run across the deck to fire at the floating target are armed with Ingram MAC-10's.
    • Quotes

      Michel: [raising his glass in a toast] Vive la mort ! Vive la guerre ! Vive le sacré mercenaire !

    • Alternate versions
      Although the cinema version was uncut the 1986 UK video was cut by 5 secs by the BBFC to remove shots of broken glass being forced into the mouth of Endean's man before being beaten up by Shannon. The 2001 MGM DVD restored the film to its original 119 minute UK length, which had additional character development, including an early scene of Shannon attending the baptism of a fellow mercenary's child, a bed scene between Shannon and Jessie, a scene of the raiding party being delayed by a closed drawbridge, Shannon pressuring Hackett to deliver the Valencia shipment, and extensive footage between Shannon and Lockhart where the latter persuades Spanish officials to allow the cargo on to the boat.
    • Connections
      Edited into Stealth Fighter (1999)
    • Soundtracks
      Epitaph on an Army of Mercenaries
      Sung by Gillian McPherson

      Music by Geoffrey Burgon

      Poem by A.E. Housman

    User reviews75

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Pretty intelligent and calm film by John Irvin
    John Irvin directed this film, starring Christopher Walken as war veteran mercenary who gets a job by government to travel to Africa and inform the situation that is pretty hot in there. He does it, and sees the violence that takes place there, and when he returns to US and tells about the evil dictator that dominates there, the new job for him is to travel there again and wipe out the incarnation of evil..

    This film isn't any action film as many seem to have expected - me included - but this is pretty sophisticated, but still also little slow moving (dir. cut. 15mins longer than the US version) portrait about the state of some countries in the world, and what these dictators can do to people and country. I'm mostly fascinated by the film's atmosphere and calmness as there isn't stupid gunplay or other usual flaws often found in these films. Walken acts greatly in his role of retired war veteran who takes the job only because of money offered to him. At the end, a twist in plot is coming and all the greediness and betrayal in the film gets a new face.

    The end is little stupid as it tries to imitate Apocalypse Now a little, by depicting Walken's face and "the horror" as Francis Ford Coppola did, and the gun fights at the end are also little unnecessary, especially when the film managed to be without them for so long. Still the result is satisfying, yet little too long and occasionally may make the viewer feel little tired, but this film isn't meant to be watched when tired. The US distributor cut the original version by over ten minutes, and I saw the original director's cut which includes many important bits of dialogue and things that add to the film. So I recommend the director's cut of the film as it is the directors original version.

    Dogs of War is pretty intelligent and interesting depiction of power and dictatorship, and also very nostalgic in its atmosphere and scenery. The gun battle at the end of the film is great looking and also gripping, but as mentioned, also little unnecessary and too traditional finale. 7/10
    helpful•18
    15
    • Bogey Man
    • Jul 8, 2002

    FAQ4

    • What military units do the mercenaries belong to?
    • What weapons do the mercenaries use?
    • Is any of this based on real events?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 13, 1981 (United States)
      • United Kingdom
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Belize City, Belize
    • Production company
      • Juniper Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 42 minutes
      • Color
      • Dolby Stereo

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