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Rules of Engagement (2000)

R | | Drama, Thriller, War | 7 April 2000 (USA)
Rules of Engagement Poster
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An attorney defends an officer on trial for ordering his troops to fire on civilians after they stormed a U.S. embassy in a third world country.

Director:

Writers:

(story) (as James Webb), (screenplay)

Stars:

, , | See full cast & crew »
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1 win & 2 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
... Hodges
... Childers
... Major Biggs
... Mourain
... Sokal
... Mrs. Mourain
... Captain Lee
... General Hodges
... General Perry
... Doctor Ahmar
... Tom Chandler
... Judge
Baoan Coleman ... Colonel Cao
... Hayes III
... Corporal Hustings
See full cast »
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Storyline

Hayes Hodges finds his career aspirations dashed when he's wounded in Vietnam combat. He then returns to America and becomes a disillusioned lawyer who goes up against the service to defend Colonel Terry Childers, who is accused of inciting an incident that leaves many demonstrators dead. Hodges in no position to decline: Childers heroically saved his life back in Vietnam. Written by Ronos

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

colonel | marine | embassy | combat | trial | See All (115) »

Taglines:

A hero should never have to stand alone.

Genres:

Drama | Thriller | War

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for scenes of war violence, and for language | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

| | |

Language:

|

Release Date:

7 April 2000 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Reglas de combate  »

Filming Locations:

 »
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Box Office

Budget:

$60,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$15,011,181, 9 April 2000, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$61,335,230

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$71,732,303
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

, ,  »
Show more on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

|

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

When released in Spain, the movie title was literally translated resulting in "Reglas de compromiso". Engagement in English can be translated like in the original title as the behavior when two opposing forces come into contact or as near future wedding. Spanish language however uses different words for these two concepts, and the one referring to "wedding" was mistakenly used is the Spanish title creating a misleading title with no relation to the actual movie plot. See more »

Goofs

During the retirement party, Col. Hodges is presented a shadow box with his decorations and the Mameluke sword. Several of the medals present in the shadow box are not decorations that Col. Hodges wears on his Class A uniform including the Silver Star, Legion of Merit (may be awarded later during retirement), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, and 2 foreign decorations from Operation Desert Shield/Storm. Likewise several decorations he does wear are missing from the shadow box, e.g. Defense Superior Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, etc. See more »

Quotes

Colonel Terry L. Childers: Six, Red Man! Engage hostile targets as they appear! Deadly force is authorized! How copy, over?
Capt. Lee: Red Man, Red Man, Trans Six Actual! Negative, negative! Be advised I have women and children in my line of fire! I got snipers in the buildings at 400 meters! How copy, over?
Colonel Terry L. Childers: What is it about this order you don't understand, Captain Lee?
Capt. Lee: Sir, are you ordering me to fire into the crowd? Over!
Colonel Terry L. Childers: Yes, God damn it! Waste the motherfuckers!
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Will & Grace: The Rules of Engagement (2001) See more »

Soundtracks

On the Threshold of Liberty
by Mark Isham
Contains a sample performed by Mark Isham
Courtesy of The Windham Hill Group
See more »

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User Reviews

 
A Bit Contrived, But Very Entertaining
17 November 2006 | by – See all my reviews

This story gets the viewer involved with it right away never lets up, with good performances all around, although Tommy Lee Jones stands out a bit above the rest.

There are some outstanding action scenes in the first 30 minutes and if you have a 5.1surround system, it gets quite a workout. After that, the story settles down into a court battle.

Its politics are typical Hollywood: the government is corrupt with the main villain the National Security Adviser who burns a video tape that would clear a U.S. Marine colonel from being framed for murder. That colonel also is a black man which makes the story even more politically correct. Samuel J. Jackson plays that role, a Col. "Terrry Childers." Jones plays his attorney, "Col. Hayes Hodges." The two veteran actors play off each other very well.

It gets even more dramatic when two other witnesses lie and make justice look almost impossible to attain in the case. But, dramatics aside, it's a good story and certainly an entertaining one. Once again, William Friedkin has directed a good movie.
32 of 57 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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