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IMDbPro

Tears of the Sun

  • 20032003
  • RR
  • 2h 1m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
122K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,285
150
Bruce Willis in Tears of the Sun (2003)
Home Video Trailer from Columbia Tristar
Play trailer2:27
1 Video
72 Photos
ActionDramaThriller
A Special-Ops commander leads his team into the Nigerian jungle in order to rescue a doctor who will only join them if they agree to save 70 refugees too.A Special-Ops commander leads his team into the Nigerian jungle in order to rescue a doctor who will only join them if they agree to save 70 refugees too.A Special-Ops commander leads his team into the Nigerian jungle in order to rescue a doctor who will only join them if they agree to save 70 refugees too.
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
122K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,285
150
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Antoine Fuqua
    • Writers
      • Alex Lasker
      • Patrick Cirillo
    • Stars
      • Bruce Willis
      • Cole Hauser
      • Monica Bellucci
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Antoine Fuqua
    • Writers
      • Alex Lasker
      • Patrick Cirillo
    • Stars
      • Bruce Willis
      • Cole Hauser
      • Monica Bellucci
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 464User reviews
    • 95Critic reviews
    • 48Metascore
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations

    Videos1

    Tears of the Sun
    Trailer 2:27
    Tears of the Sun

    Photos72

    Bruce Willis, Paul Francis, Cole Hauser, Johnny Messner, and Eamonn Walker in Tears of the Sun (2003)
    Bruce Willis in Tears of the Sun (2003)
    Cole Hauser in Tears of the Sun (2003)
    Monica Bellucci in Tears of the Sun (2003)
    Akosua Busia in Tears of the Sun (2003)
    Bruce Willis and Monica Bellucci in Tears of the Sun (2003)
    Fabrice Yahve Habimana Jr. in Tears of the Sun (2003)
    Bruce Willis and Monica Bellucci in Tears of the Sun (2003)
    Tears of the Sun (2003)
    Bruce Willis and Cole Hauser in Tears of the Sun (2003)
    Fionnula Flanagan in Tears of the Sun (2003)
    Bruce Willis in Tears of the Sun (2003)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Bruce Willis
    Bruce Willis
    • Lieutenant A.K. Waters
    Cole Hauser
    Cole Hauser
    • James 'Red' Atkins
    Monica Bellucci
    Monica Bellucci
    • Dr. Lena Fiore Kendricks
    Eamonn Walker
    Eamonn Walker
    • Ellis 'Zee' Pettigrew
    Johnny Messner
    Johnny Messner
    • Kelly Lake
    Nick Chinlund
    Nick Chinlund
    • Michael 'Slo' Slowenski
    Charles Ingram
    Charles Ingram
    • Demetrius 'Silk' Owens
    Paul Francis
    Paul Francis
    • Danny 'Doc' Kelley
    Chad Smith
    Chad Smith
    • Jason 'Flea' Mabry
    Tom Skerritt
    Tom Skerritt
    • Captain Bill Rhodes
    Malick Bowens
    Malick Bowens
    • Colonel Idris Sadick
    Awaovieyi Agie
    • Musa
    Akosua Busia
    Akosua Busia
    • Patience
    Hadar Busia-Singleton
    Hadar Busia-Singleton
    • Amaka
    Ida Onyango
    • Lasana
    Fabrice Yahve Habimana Jr.
    Fabrice Yahve Habimana Jr.
    • Bujo
    Sammi Rotibi
    Sammi Rotibi
    • Arthur Azuka
    Benjamin A. Onyango
    Benjamin A. Onyango
    • Colonel Emanuel Okeze
    • (as Benjamin Ochieng)
    • Director
      • Antoine Fuqua
    • Writers
      • Alex Lasker
      • Patrick Cirillo
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Tensions flared between director Antoine Fuqua and Bruce Willis soon after principal photography began. By the end, they vowed never to work with the other again.
    • Goofs
      Immediately after the initial extraction from the evacuation point that was 7.5 miles from the mission, the helicopters fly over the mission. If it was safe to fly over the mission at low altitude, then why wasn't the evacuation simply conducted at the mission itself? What possible benefit could accrue to the SEAL team or the evacuees by making them hike 7.5 miles through difficult and hostile terrain, for an evacuation about a day later than was possible?
    • Quotes

      [last title card]

      Title card: The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. - Edmund Burke

    • Crazy credits
      "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke
    • Alternate versions
      DVD Director's Extended Cut is 142 minutes (theatrical version 121 minutes).
    • Connections
      Featured in Action Heroes: Under Fire (2003)
    • Soundtracks
      Yekeleni Part I / Mia's Lullabye
      Vocals by Lebo M., Lisa Gerrard

      Written by Lisa Gerrard, Steve Jablonsky [Mia's Lullaby]

      Written by Heitor Pereira, Lebo M. [Yekeleni Part I]

    User reviews464

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    A very powerful and authentic film with a strong moral theme
    This film was simply incredible. I didn't see it at the cinema, which upon seeing it later on DVD release, regretting missing first time round.

    It made some incredibly powerful statements and was very difficult to watch. I rarely admit to this, but I actually found parts of it so moving, that I cried! And I never cry.

    The choice of Bruce Willis was a good one and he plays a deeply conflicted character, he plays him with depth. I have seen Monica Belucci in films before. She is an incredibly gifted actress and she really believed in this project. Her character comes across as having strong religious and moral convictions, prepared to die to help and protect others. This comes across in the decisions she takes and the willingness to stand strong under pressure.

    Having seen the Documentary on the special features section of the DVD afterwards, I could see the incredible lengths that everyone attached to the filming went to. Each of the actors playing Seal Team members, went through some very authentic training in preparation and stayed in character outside of filming during the day. Given the commitment of all those attached to the film, I can see why the film is what it is.

    The director, Antoine Fuqua, from the films I have seen in which he directed, brings a strong moral theme to his characters and the story. The whole visual manner of filming, camera angles, close ups etc adds to the intensity here.

    The choice of filter during filming, that gives a subdued and darker feeling visually, was perfect. The use of Africans as extras was an interesting and a suitable choice, given their backgrounds. Many of these extras were showing genuine emotions which was captured on camera, as they relived traumatic moments in their lives when certain scenes were filmed.

    On that note, one scene in particular made for very difficult viewing, but totally in context and I would expect it would provoke a strong reaction from viewers, for good reason. The actual combat scenes are kept selectively short and in context to the overall film. They are also very realistic.

    The soundtrack was well suited and complimented the whole overall feel to the film. I would not say that this film was entertaining, it is very hard to watch but it is an example of good film that will challenge everyone who watches it and who has a conscience.

    After seeing this film, as with Hotel Rwanda and Tears of the Sun, I am constantly reminded of our individual and collective moral responsibilities in the 'civilised Western World' when atrocities are committed. And it sits badly with my conscience that 'we' in the West do so little and so late in trying to stop such genocide from happening. I for one think that every adult should see it.
    helpful•166
    41
    • cooperaitaliano
    • Jul 22, 2005

    FAQ4

    • During the liberation of the village, why was Danny 'Doc' Kelley's pistol not silenced when everyone else's was?
    • Why didn't they just force Dr. Kendricks along?
    • What are the differences between the R-rated theatrical version and the Director's Extended Cut?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 7, 2003 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Hostile Act
    • Filming locations
      • Dole Plantation - 64-1550 Kamehameha Highway, Wahiawa, O'ahu, Hawaii, USA
    • Production companies
      • Cheyenne Enterprises
      • Michael Lobell Productions
      • Revolution Studios
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $75,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $43,734,876
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $17,057,213
      • Mar 9, 2003
    • Gross worldwide
      • $86,468,162
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 1 minute
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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