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 SpotlightIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsCannes Film FestivalStar WarsAsian Pacific American Heritage MonthSummer Watch GuideSTARmeter 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)
Watchlist
Sign In
  • 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
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

A Mighty Heart

  • 2007
  • R
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
29K
YOUR RATING
Dan Futterman and Angelina Jolie in A Mighty Heart (2007)
Home Video Trailer from Paramount Vantage
Play trailer2:32
15 Videos
92 Photos
BiographyDramaHistoryThrillerWar

Mariane Pearl embarks on a frantic search to locate her journalist husband Daniel when he goes missing in Pakistan.Mariane Pearl embarks on a frantic search to locate her journalist husband Daniel when he goes missing in Pakistan.Mariane Pearl embarks on a frantic search to locate her journalist husband Daniel when he goes missing in Pakistan.

  • Director
    • Michael Winterbottom
  • Writers
    • John Orloff
    • Mariane Pearl
  • Stars
    • Angelina Jolie
    • Dan Futterman
    • Irrfan Khan
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    29K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Michael Winterbottom
    • Writers
      • John Orloff
      • Mariane Pearl
    • Stars
      • Angelina Jolie
      • Dan Futterman
      • Irrfan Khan
    • 126User reviews
    • 170Critic reviews
    • 74Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 19 nominations total

    Videos15

    A Mighty Heart
    Trailer 2:32
    A Mighty Heart
    A Mighty Heart
    Trailer 2:30
    A Mighty Heart
    A Mighty Heart
    Trailer 2:30
    A Mighty Heart
    A Mighty Heart
    Clip 0:38
    A Mighty Heart
    A Mighty Heart
    Clip 1:49
    A Mighty Heart
    A Mighty Heart Scene: Don't You See It
    Clip 1:00
    A Mighty Heart Scene: Don't You See It
    A Mighty Heart Scene: I Have A Name For Him
    Clip 1:08
    A Mighty Heart Scene: I Have A Name For Him

    Photos92

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 86
    View Poster

    Top cast75

    Edit
    Angelina Jolie
    Angelina Jolie
    • Mariane
    Dan Futterman
    Dan Futterman
    • Danny
    Irrfan Khan
    Irrfan Khan
    • Captain
    Archie Panjabi
    Archie Panjabi
    • Asra
    Mohammed Afzal
    • Shabbir
    Mushtaq Khan
    Mushtaq Khan
    • Danny's Taxi Driver
    • (as Mushtaq Ahmed)
    Daud Khan
    • Masud the Fixer
    Telal Saeed
    • Kaleem Yusuf
    Arif Khan
    Arif Khan
    • Mariane's Taxi Driver
    Tipu Taheer
    • Human Rights Director
    Amit Dhawan
    Amit Dhawan
    • Technical Supervisor
    Saira Nasir Khan
    • Nasrin
    Aliya Khan
    • Kashva
    Sarah Mone
    • Female Guest
    Bushra Parwani
    • Female Guest
    Zafar Karachiwala
    Zafar Karachiwala
    • Male Guest
    Danish Iqbal
    • Male Guest
    Ali Tejani
    • Male Guest
    • Director
      • Michael Winterbottom
    • Writers
      • John Orloff
      • Mariane Pearl
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews126

    6.628.5K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    8sddavis63

    Respectful Treatment Of A Tragedy

    Essentially what we have here is a pretty well done, seemingly step by step account of the investigation into the kidnapping of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl in 2002, which of course ended with his tragic murder. It is not without weaknesses. Primarily, watching close to two hours about an investigation that doesn't seem to be going anywhere and eventually accomplishes nothing gets a bit dry after a while - especially because we know how this is going to end. There comes a point when you just want to fast forward through it to the end. Having said that, the strengths definitely outweigh the weaknesses.

    Director Michael Winterbottom does a pretty good job of establishing atmosphere. From the very beginning, the chaotic nature of Karachi sets a foreboding tone to the movie, and, although I sometimes find archival footage in movies to be of little use, in "A Mighty Heart" I thought Winterbottom did a pretty good job of blending the archival stuff (particularly clips of Colin Powell and Pervez Musharaff) into the story. Throughout the movie the viewer wonders how Pearl's murder is going to be portrayed, and, again, kudos to Winterbottom. In fact, and thankfully, the murder isn't portrayed at all. What we see are the reactions of those who see the video for the first time and their reactions to the ghastly scene on the tape is sufficient to establish what happened. There was (to me at least) an interesting scene that lasted only a couple of minutes dealing with a typical "ugly American" female FBI agent, who bursts into the Pearl home, ignores the Pakistani authorities, tries to take charge and orders the room "cleared" because she gets a phone call she wants no one else to hear. She disappears immediately after this scene and was never seen again. I just for some reason found it rather typical of how I would expect U.S. authorities to act in a foreign country, and her portrayal was, of course, balanced by the very sympathetic portrayal of the kindhearted Randall Bennett (Will Randall) - an official from the U.S. Embassy who provides great support to Mariane Pearl.

    Angelina Jolie was, I understand, a bit of a controversial choice for the part (largely for ethnic reasons) but she put on an excellent performance as Mariane, hopelessly lost in the situation, pregnant with Daniel's baby and totally dependent on others to try to save her husband. Her reaction to the news of Daniel's death was raw with emotion. Ethnic controversy aside, no one can deny that Jolie was superb in this role. Her performance and Winterbottom's direction make the movie worthwhile. 8/10
    7happyjuanpa

    A very good film and Angelina Jolie is an actress

    I just saw this film and I really liked. The story is very well told from the point of view of a professional journalist who has to experience with integrity and courage the whole process of losing her husband. I think Angelina Jolie makes AN EXCELLENT JOB. Many times I forgot was the sexy actress, and reminded me several great parts she have achieved in her career, including an Academy award. There is not any importance or relevance that she is a white woman developing an African woman... She is an actress. Until when we are going to play with racial issue. In many countries Hamlet is not from Denmark or Othello is not always a black actor, or Don Giovanni is not an Italian. The directing and several acting in this film are great. And the development of the film showing constantly the misery of this country to understand better their political situation and fanaticism.

    It;s very comfortable to enjoy this film and going out in cities where we have so much comforts. I connected with Marianne Pearl, I felt I was with her watching her experience.
    7kxok630

    Powerful yet human

    This is one of the more intelligent and well constructed movies of 2007 thus far. Touching on the human element as it collides with the unpleasant realities of hot-bed issues including politics and religion, the brutality and evil this story depicts is at times difficult to watch.

    Difficult to watch because the content is disturbing, which is the intent of the film. We see a very human dimension to the real life characters who are depicted sensitively, making the grotesque outcome all the more horrifying. The story is fair to the innocent parties involved, and honest in rightfully assigning the blame to those responsible for these heinous acts. Dramatically and artistically, this is a superior movie.

    Angelina Jolie's portrayal of Mariane Pearl feels sincere, but she appears miscast. Little dimension is brought to her real-life subject, a woman inexorably thrust into the limelight amidst painful circumstances. The film would have been better off with another actress in this challenging role.

    Still, the movie is outstanding, and worthy of your time.
    7gavin-satur

    Relive the harrowing experience of Mariane Pearl

    This movie gives a good account of the harrowing experience of Mariane Pearl from the moment her husband Danny went missing until he was beheaded. Angelina Jolie's acting is commendable with a well maintained French accent throughout. Dan Futterman bears a striking resemblance to Daniel Pearl. There's no suspense or major climax/anti-climax as we all know what happened to Daniel Pearl and this movie is based on Mariane's memoirs. Not much insight into the investigations performed by the American Intelligence agencies. Overall, it's good movie to get an insight into the unsuccessful hunt for Daniel Pearl on the streets of Karachi.
    8Michael Fargo

    A love story with politics surprisingly absent

    This is an intimate film. Basically a love story set in the political wreckage after the attack on the World Trade Center. As such, we don't get much detail about the different factions in Pakistan or who is "good" or "bad." It's the story of a couple who find themselves being used by terrorists and whether it is mere coincidence because they are Westerners or whether more specific points are being made because Daniel Pearl is Jewish aren't really explored, a wide variety of explanations are offered. Instead, as a backdrop to the suspense and the couple's relationship, we get a visual poem of life in Islamabad and Karachi, which I found beautiful, fascinating and more than just a little frightening. These are not cities for people with claustrophobia.

    With the story beginning the day of Daniel Pearl's kidnapping, his character is fleshed out only through flashback or what others say about him, as well as the devotion of all who search to rescue him. I doubt few will go to this film without knowing the outcome. I suppose some fans of Ms. Jolie might attend and find themselves unaware of the events portrayed in the movie. So Winterbottom has his work cut out for him since most in the audience know the conclusion.

    As Mariane Pearl, Angelina Jolie gives a remarkable, restrained performance. Her face is a mask and emotion is communicated almost exclusively through her eyes. It's the gift of a remarkable talent for the screen. I don't know how anyone could have been better. Others in the cast, too, are notable: Archie Panjabi holds her own with Jolie whenever they're together on the screen. It's a particularly complicated role since she becomes the target of the Pakistani press as the reason for Pearl's abduction, and her guilt, bafflement and frustration give the film added suspense. And Irfan Khan, the pivotal Pakistani investigator—in a role that could have been clichéd—brings an urgency to his character that earned my sympathy for succeeding in what must have been an impossible task. The film opens with Mariane Pearl describing Karachi as the World's second largest city and her husband was trying to meet with one man…how impossible it must be to find a single person in such a large place. That proves prophetic as Irfan Kahn then has to find Daniel Pearl.

    The growing alarm of the first night of Pearl's abduction is particularly well done by both the director and actors.

    I'm a little shocked by others' comment here that the Pearl's shouldn't have been "doing what they were doing" or because they put themselves in a dangerous situation we should somehow feel less sympathetic. I'm ashamed that such comments could be made in the face of this tragedy.

    More like this

    Beyond Borders
    6.4
    Beyond Borders
    Taking Lives
    6.2
    Taking Lives
    By the Sea
    5.3
    By the Sea
    Playing God
    5.6
    Playing God
    Foxfire
    6.1
    Foxfire
    The Road to Guantanamo
    7.4
    The Road to Guantanamo
    Changeling
    7.7
    Changeling
    The Fever
    5.6
    The Fever
    Love Is All There Is
    5.0
    Love Is All There Is
    Gia
    6.9
    Gia
    Original Sin
    6.0
    Original Sin
    Salt
    6.5
    Salt

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      After Angelina Jolie was cast as Mariane Pearl, she and the filmmakers came in for a great deal of criticism, since Pearl's and Jolie's racial backgrounds are not similar, and Jolie played the role wearing makeup that somewhat darkened her own skin tone. The casting reminded many critics of the time in Hollywood when it was customary to cast "ethnic" roles with white actors in makeup rather than using Black, Asian, or Native American actors. During a promotional press event for the movie, Jolie responded to the criticisms by saying, "the idea is, if you ask Marianne, because she did address that... if you did actually want to find somebody that was her exact makeup, she's actually majority Dutch, and she's as black as she is Chinese, and she's Cuban, and she's French. So, it could have gone to many different racial backgrounds, probably, if you went technical on it." Pearl herself approved of casting Jolie; in Time Magazine, Pearl said, "I have heard some criticism about her casting, but it is not about the color of your skin. It is about who you are. I asked her to play the role--even though she is way more beautiful than I am--because I felt a real kinship to her."
    • Goofs
      There are few billboards shown on the roads of Karachi, which were not imaginable in early 2002, i.e. Telenor Mobile Service (introduced in March 2005), Qarshi Jam-e-Shirin's latest campaign etc.
    • Quotes

      [last lines]

      Mariane Pearl: [holding Adam for the first time] This film is for Adam.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer/Nancy Drew/A Mighty Heart/1408/Fido (2007)
    • Soundtracks
      Dreaming on a Train
      Written by David Holmes & Stephen Hilton (as Steve Hilton)

      Published by Universal/Island Music Ltd & BMG Music Publishing Ltd

      Courtesy of David Holmes & Steve Hilton

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ19

    • How long is A Mighty Heart?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 22, 2007 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
      • Urdu
      • Arabic
    • Also known as
      • Trái Tim Quả Cảm
    • Filming locations
      • Islamabad, Pakistan
    • Production companies
      • Paramount Vantage
      • Plan B Entertainment
      • Revolution Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $16,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $9,176,787
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,948,863
      • Jun 24, 2007
    • Gross worldwide
      • $19,008,745
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 48 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • SDDS
      • Dolby Digital
      • DTS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Dan Futterman and Angelina Jolie in A Mighty Heart (2007)
    Top Gap
    By what name was A Mighty Heart (2007) officially released in India in Hindi?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    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
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb app
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb app
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.