Watch Courage Under Fire
- R
- 1996
- 1 hr 57 min
-
6.6 (60,242)
Courage Under Fire is a 1996 American war drama movie directed by Edward Zwick, starring Denzel Washington, Meg Ryan, and Lou Diamond Phillips. The movie is set in the aftermath of the Gulf War and follows Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel Serling (Denzel Washington) as he investigates the suitability of Captain Karen Emma Walden (Meg Ryan) for the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest military honor. Serling's investigation takes him to different parts of Kuwait as he tries to piece together what really happened during the friendly fire incident that led to Walden's death.
The movie opens with a scene of a tank battle in Kuwait. During the battle, Walden's unit is attacked by Iraqi tanks, and Walden courageously leads a counterattack that saves the lives of her fellow soldiers. However, in the chaos of the battle, Walden is killed by friendly fire from a U.S. tank. Serling, who was a commander during the battle, is traumatized by what happened and has been drinking heavily ever since. He is summoned to Washington, D.C. by his superior, General Hershberg (Michael Moriarty), who gives him a new assignment: investigate Walden's suitability for the Medal of Honor.
At first, Serling is reluctant to take the assignment, but he soon realizes that it may be his chance to redeem himself and come to terms with what happened during the battle. He travels to Kuwait, where he meets with Walden's former unit members, who all tell him different stories about what happened that day. Some of them say that Walden was a hero who saved their lives, while others say that she made a fatal mistake that led to her own death and the deaths of others.
As Serling searches for the truth, the movie flashes back to the battle scenes, showing Walden's leadership skills and bravery. The flashbacks are interspersed with scenes of Serling struggling with his own demons and trying to figure out what really happened. He also meets Monfriez (Lou Diamond Phillips), a fellow soldier who is rumored to have been involved in the friendly fire incident. Monfriez's account of what happened contradicts the other soldiers' stories, adding to the confusion and leaving Serling unsure of who to believe.
Eventually, Serling uncovers the truth about what really happened during the battle, and it turns out to be a shocking revelation that will change his view of Walden and the soldiers involved in the incident. Courage Under Fire is a powerful movie that tackles the themes of honor, courage, and redemption. Denzel Washington delivers a strong performance as a troubled soldier struggling to come to terms with the events of the past, and Meg Ryan delivers an equally powerful performance as a fearless leader who takes charge during a time of war. The action scenes are riveting, and the movie's themes of loyalty, duty, and sacrifice are as relevant today as they were in 1996.
In conclusion, Courage Under Fire is a must-watch movie for anyone who loves war dramas and powerful acting. The movie has a strong message of courage and redemption, and its themes of honor, loyalty, and sacrifice are timeless. It is a tribute to the brave men and women who serve in the military and a reminder of the sacrifices they make for their country.
Courage Under Fire is a 1996 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 57 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 77.