Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV News
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysHalloween PicksScary Good HorrorHispanic Heritage MonthMAMISTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
Sign In
New Customer? Create account
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Sodan koirat

Original title: The Dogs of War
  • 1980
  • R
  • 1h 59m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
9K
YOUR RATING
Sodan koirat (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.

  • Director
    • John Irvin
  • Writers
    • Gary DeVore
    • George Malko
    • Frederick Forsyth
  • Stars
    • Christopher Walken
    • Tom Berenger
    • Colin Blakely
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John Irvin
    • Writers
      • Gary DeVore
      • George Malko
      • Frederick Forsyth
    • Stars
      • Christopher Walken
      • Tom Berenger
      • Colin Blakely
    • 76User reviews
    • 56Critic reviews
    • 56Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

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

    Photos75

    Sodan koirat (1980)
    This is the advance poster, 1 sheet 27 x 41
    1 Sheet, 27 X 41
    quad
    Sodan koirat (1980)
    Sodan koirat (1980)
    Sodan koirat (1980)
    JoBeth Williams in Sodan koirat (1980)
    Christopher Walken in Sodan koirat (1980)
    Christopher Walken in Sodan koirat (1980)
    Christopher Walken and Robert Urquhart in Sodan koirat (1980)
    Christopher Walken in Sodan koirat (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
    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
    • Director
      • John Irvin
    • Writers
      • Gary DeVore
      • George Malko
      • Frederick Forsyth
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    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 - aavelentokone (1999)
    • Soundtracks
      Epitaph on an Army of Mercenaries
      Sung by Gillian McPherson

      Music by Geoffrey Burgon

      Poem by A.E. Housman

    User reviews76

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    Not for children
    That is, not for those with child like tastes. If you require non-stop action ... move along. The characters are set up nicely and Walken is just too cool, I think it's his best performance. Most of his fans don't know about this movie but it's a gem. There are a few scenes I would have left on the cutting floor but they can be overlooked. There's a scene with his doctor that is worth watching the whole movie over. But there's plenty more. There's good dialog, nice scenery, some action and some characters you actually care about. This is not an assault on your senses; you will have to pay attention to enjoy it. But it will be worth your time. If you are a fan of Christopher Walken, then it will be well worth your time.
    helpful•58
    18
    • nonconformist
    • Apr 1, 2004

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    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
      • January 30, 1981 (Finland)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Krigshundarna
    • Filming locations
      • Belize City, Belize(Central America)
    • Production company
      • Juniper Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $5,484,132
    • Gross worldwide
      • $5,484,132
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 59 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Sodan koirat (1980)
    Top Gap
    By what name was Sodan koirat (1980) officially released in India in English?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Production art
    Photos
    These Stars Are on the Rise
    See the gallery
    Production art
    Photos
    21st Century Scream Queens
    See the gallery

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2023 by IMDb.com, Inc.