13 Hours (2016)

During an attack on a U.S. compound in Libya, a security team struggles to make sense out of the chaos.

Director:

Michael Bay

Writers:

Chuck Hogan (screenplay), Mitchell Zuckoff (book)

Stars:

John Krasinski, Pablo Schreiber, James Badge Dale

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Krasinski	...	Jack Silva
James Badge Dale	...	Tyrone 'Rone' Woods
Pablo Schreiber	...	Kris 'Tanto' Paronto
David Denman	...	Dave 'Boon' Benton
Dominic Fumusa	...	John 'Tig' Tiegen
Max Martini	...	Mark 'Oz' Geist
Alexia Barlier	...	Sona Jillani
David Costabile	...	Bob
Payman Maadi	...	Amahl (as Peyman Moaadi)
Matt Letscher	...	Ambassador Chris Stevens
Toby Stephens	...	Glen 'Bub' Doherty
Demetrius Grosse	...	DS Dave Ubben
David Giuntoli	...	DS Scott Wickland
Kevin Kent	...	DS Vincent
David Furr	...	DS Alec

Storyline

Libya, 2012. At an unofficial CIA base in Benghazi a group of ex-military contractors are providing security. In the aftermath of Gaddafi's downfall a power vacuum exists and the climate is volatile. Military weapons are freely available. The US Ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, makes a visit to the area, staying in a compound near the CIA base. On the night of 11 September, 2012, the Ambassador's compound is attacked by hordes of heavily armed locals. The only forces willing and able to defend it are six CIA contractors.

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Plot Keywords:

libya | mercenary | based on true story | u.s. ambassador | cia agent | 

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Taglines:

When everything went wrong six men had the courage to do what was right

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Genres:

Action | Drama | History | Thriller | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong combat violence throughout, bloody images, and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Twitter

Country:

Malta Morocco USA

Language:

English Arabic

Release Date:

15 January 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

Filming Locations:

Attard, Malta

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$16,194,738, 17 January 2016

Gross USA:

$52,853,219

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$69,411,370

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, 3 Arts Entertainment, Bay Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

144 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Datasat Dolby Atmos D-Cinema 48kHz 7.1 Dolby Surround 7.1

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is Michael Bay's third drama film based on real-life events, after Pearl Harbor (2001) and Pain & Gain (2013).

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Goofs

When the men call their families, it's daylight in both places. According to the movie, it was 6:15pm Benghazi time. With a 9-hour time difference between Libya and the west coast of the U.S,. it would be daylight in both locations. Even if the soldiers were 11 hours ahead, as some claim, it would be 7:15am in Los Angeles, well after sunrise in early September.

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Quotes

Bob: I'm proud to know Americans like you.

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Alternate Versions

International release and American releases have an alternate shot when the characters are boarding the plane at the end of the movie. In one version 'Bob' the CIA base commander simply says 'Sorry' to Jack, and in others he says 'I'm proud to know Americans like you'.

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Connections

Referenced in Midnight Screenings: 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi/Ride Along 2 (2016)

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Soundtracks

Sexy and I Know It
Written by Erin Beck, Skyler Gordy, Stefan Gordy, David Listenbee, Kenny Oliver & George Roberston
Performed by LMFAO
Courtesy of Interscope Records
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Just put politics aside and watch it

As polarizing as this movie is just put your politics aside and watch it. The attack is a part of history that deserves to be put on screen in as grand and well produced manner as can be. And in that sense it succeeds. The filming in Morocco and Malta captures a really on location feel.

The battles are well done and engaging, not over the top. It was a bit confusing at times distinguishing the main characters. Maybe they shouldn't have had beards for the movie because it made them look alike. Jon Krasinski and James Badge Dale, Max Martini and Dominic Fumusa are all good as the heroes. There is just enough background with kids and wives shown to put a human element to the people. Whatever your politics is, they were brave. Liked Jon Krasinki's characters statement about dying over there at the end.

The journey under fire from the embassy to the annex was gripping. The prolonged gunfire and mortar attack on the annex was quite scary too. It was chaotic but as long as you kept the 2 compounds separate in your mind it was okay. Initially, a little bit less back and forth between scenarios would have been better.

There are the "bad" good guys - the incompetent CIA people especially the chief who gives the infamous and disputed "Stand down" order. Wish they had shown a bit more of the Ambassador's death and recovery of his body but maybe it was just too disheartening for the screen.

Some people against the movie are probably just unhappy it was made in the first place. Apart from the stand down and request for air support it isn't too directly critical of the administration. There might not be a way to make a movie about Benghazi that actually could make the haters happy.

Watch this movie.