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The War

  • 1994
  • PG-13
  • 2h 6m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
13K
YOUR RATING
Kevin Costner and Elijah Wood in The War (1994)
Home Video Trailer from Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Play trailer2:58
1 Video
99+ Photos
Drama

A Vietnam veteran helps his kids battle over a tree house while recovering from his traumatic war experience.A Vietnam veteran helps his kids battle over a tree house while recovering from his traumatic war experience.A Vietnam veteran helps his kids battle over a tree house while recovering from his traumatic war experience.

  • Director
    • Jon Avnet
  • Writer
    • Kathy McWorter
  • Stars
    • Elijah Wood
    • Kevin Costner
    • Mare Winningham
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.7/10
    13K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jon Avnet
    • Writer
      • Kathy McWorter
    • Stars
      • Elijah Wood
      • Kevin Costner
      • Mare Winningham
    • 69User reviews
    • 27Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 3 nominations

    Videos1

    The War
    Trailer 2:58
    Watch The War

    Photos102

    Kevin Costner and Elijah Wood in The War (1994)
    Kevin Costner and Elijah Wood in The War (1994)
    Elijah Wood and Lexi Randall in The War (1994)
    Elijah Wood and Lexi Randall in The War (1994)
    Jon Avnet in The War (1994)
    Kevin Costner in The War (1994)
    LaToya Chisholm and Lexi Randall in The War (1994)
    Elijah Wood in The War (1994)
    Kevin Costner and Elijah Wood in The War (1994)
    LaToya Chisholm and Lexi Randall in The War (1994)
    Elijah Wood in The War (1994)
    Kevin Costner and Elijah Wood in The War (1994)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Elijah Wood
    Elijah Wood
    • Stu Simmons
    Kevin Costner
    Kevin Costner
    • Stephen Simmons
    Mare Winningham
    Mare Winningham
    • Lois Simmons
    Lexi Randall
    Lexi Randall
    • Lidia Joanne Simmons
    LaToya Chisholm
    • Elvadine
    Christopher Fennell
    Christopher Fennell
    • Billy Lipnicki
    Donald Sellers
    • Arliss Lipnicki
    Leon Sills
    • Leo Lipnicki
    Will West
    • Lester Lucket
    Brennan Gallagher
    • Marsh
    Adam Henderson
    • Chet
    Charlette Julius
    • Amber
    Jennifer Tyler
    • Ula Lipnicki
    Lucas Black
    Lucas Black
    • Ebb
    Justin Lucas
    • Willard
    Raynor Scheine
    Raynor Scheine
    • Mr. Lipnicki
    Christine Baranski
    Christine Baranski
    • Miss Strapford
    Bruce A. Young
    Bruce A. Young
    • Moe Henry
    • Director
      • Jon Avnet
    • Writer
      • Kathy McWorter
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The cigarettes Elvadine smokes in the movie are herbal, not tobacco.
    • Goofs
      The Lipnicki gang dries off too quickly after exiting lake at the quarry.
    • Quotes

      [Elvadine was falsely accused of interrupting the teacher]

      Elvadine: Alright, I'll tell you. I was sayin' "Elvadine, what's YOU gots to write about? Been in the sixth grade your whole good-for-nuthin' life. Ain't GOT no daddy. Never goes anywhere but where your feets take you. Onliest money that ever belong to you in the whole world was twenty dollars you gots yourself in a birthday card, from your uncle last year." But it really wasn't for my birthday. Really, it was for layin' over his lap and letting him spank me with my underpants down. And now here you come along, shovin' me in the back of the room, where I can't even see too good, which means I'm prob'ly not gonna graduate this summer neither, Just 'cuz you read how some white man say Life be like a bowlful o' cherries, I've gotsta come up with some big hit sayin' Well, fine. I'll just write down how happy I'm gonna be to get 20 more dollars on my birthday. Never mind what he's got planned for me THIS year. And I'm gonna write, how maybe the new man my momma been seein' might stop drinkin', and treat me nice, and maybe he's gonna adopt me, and take us off the welfare. And at the end, I'm gonna be sure put:

      [sarcastically]

      Elvadine: 'Life Sure is a bowl full of Cherries.'

      [back to normal]

      Elvadine: But to tell you the truth, Miss Strapford, I think you, and that book, and this whole class, be a bowl full of shit!

    • Crazy credits
      When the credits are over and the music ends, we hear a helicopter.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: The Road to Wellville/Silent Fall/Stargate/The Last Seduction/Vanya on 42nd Street (1994)
    • Soundtracks
      Who'll Stop The Rain
      Written by John Fogerty (as John C. Fogarty)

      Performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival

      Courtesy of Fantasy, Inc.

    User reviews69

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    It says a lot without actually preaching.
    This movie was wrongly overlooked when it came out. It has a lot to say and says it well, leaving the viewer with much to think about. It tells about poor country life in the early '70's from the view point of pre-teens. It touches on the Vietnam War through flashbacks and uses this as a study for the conflicts the children are facing. Their father is their link to the war. It deals with several kinds of hatred and its effects on the kids' lives. It also contrasts the kids' reactions to the father's.

    Everything is done well. The children actors, led by Elijah Wood, do a really good job. Elijah was especially wonderful with the emotional out bursts he has to produce. Kevin Costner was surprisingly understated as the father and Mare Winningham is very good as the mother. I wish it was a bigger part. The part of the school teacher comes off a bit stereotypical but it works okay. Again, the kids carry the scene with their show of pride and willingness to stand by each other in adversity.

    All in all, it's a good movie and good for older children to watch even though there is some strong language and violence. Actually, I think it's a bit mild for its PG-13 rating.



    ***1/2 out of ****
    helpful•26
    2
    • callaspadeaspade
    • Sep 18, 2001

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 4, 1994 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Savaş
    • Filming locations
      • Beaufort, South Carolina, USA(location)
    • Production company
      • Island World
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $16,928,556
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $5,203,275
      • Nov 6, 1994
    • Gross worldwide
      • $16,928,556
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 6 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • DTS-Stereo
      • Dolby SR
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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