A Private War

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2:23

A Private War

R

Released Nov 16, 2018

1h 50m

Biography

Drama

War

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

87%

Tomatometer

147 Reviews

62%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Celebrated war correspondent Marie Colvin is a woman who is as comfortable downing martinis with high society's elite as she is brazenly staring down warlords and fleeing from gunfire. Driven by an enduring desire to bear witness and give voice to the voiceless, Colvin charges into danger, constantly testing the limits between bravery and bravado.

Critics Consensus

A Private War honors its real-life subject with a sober appraisal of the sacrifices required of journalists on the front lines - and career-best work by Rosamund Pike.

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Cody Corrall

Chicago Reader

While Rosamund Pike delivers an unbeatable portrayal of Colvin, the film itself fails to say anything new about addiction or the demons she battles.

Feb 22, 2020

Full Review

Nigel Andrews

Financial Times

Poor, gifted Rosamund Pike is persuaded to play the American-born Sunday Times journo at full throttle, when half-throttle would be a nice occasional variant.

Rated: 2/5

Feb 20, 2019

Full Review

Matthew Norman

London Evening Standard

At a time when pressured media budgets are conspiring, with the general preference for escapism over reality, to threaten war reporting's very existence, A Private War unflinchingly reminds us of its value.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 17, 2019

Full Review

Ankit Ojha

Cinema Elite

You could pick up the many books that house Colvin’s accounts on war; you’d likely get more of a sharp kick in the gut out of those than by the movie.

Rated: 2/5

Jul 9, 2024

Full Review

Victor Pineyro

Seventh Art Studio

Rosamund Pike is a master at her work, yet the film's structure does not help us connect with the crude reality of Marie Colvin's impressive persona. We become numb of emotion by the pace of it all. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 6/10

Jun 17, 2022

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Central to A Private War's effectiveness is star Rosamund Pike, playing Colvin in a performance that volleys between admirable strength and searing vulnerability.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 4, 2022

Full Review

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Rolando R

A really Great movie that shows this Incredibly Brave journalist. Dont want to say too much. It is really good and covers All that they do and endure to help Humanity and the costs.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/18/25

Full Review

andrea c

Intensa biografia drammatica di una famosa reporter di guerra inglese che ha il coraggio di non fermarsi agli epici racconti di guerra e di coraggio, estremamente appetibili dal punto di vista dello spettacolo ma non così originali come invece è questa sceneggiatura che si destreggia tra i luoghi più pericolosi del mondo ed i luoghi più pericolosi della mente della sua protagonista; provata e usurata dalla sua vita e dalle crudeltà infinite a cui ha dovuto assistere. "A private war" è un titolo perfetto che in due parole spiega perfettamente il vero plus di questa biografia rispetto a tante altre. Rosamund Pike è assolutamente formidabile nel disinnescare totalmente la sua sensualità per dare spazio ad una donna tanto dura quanto fragile. Un bellissimo dramma in grado di raccontare una storia non così tanto conosciuta. Forse l'unico peccato è la scelta di proporre una timeline lineare ma con la presenza di un flash foward iniziale che "spoilera" la morte della protagonista ed il cui timing è centrale in tutte le date presentate, togliendo un po' l'effetto drammatico del finale.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/19/25

Full Review

Elene N

Sorry, watched it for ten minutes and saw that it was not worth while enduring the rest of it.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/13/24

Full Review

Pam L

R. Pike delivers in everything she does!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/05/24

Full Review

Jeffrey P

I feel that, like with many other recent biopics, there probably wasn't enough source material for a story but they found a way. A character study lacking momentum and an overall connective theme, other than the character whom the film is based on, with the conclusion almost vindicating the path taken.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/24/24

Full Review

David W

Rosamund Pike is truly marvelous in her role as late journalist Marie Colvin. The depth and breadth of this film makes it hard to believe it's based on a magazine article. The story touches on numerous, highly critical topics while not overwhelming the audience with too many messages. It's a film one needs to be prepared and in the mood for, as it's not for light viewing or the faint of heart. I would absolutely watch this again.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/22/24

Full Review

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Matthew Heineman

Director

Rosamund Pike

Marie Colvin

Jamie Dornan

Paul Conroy

Tom Hollander

Sean Ryan

Stanley Tucci

Tony Shaw

Jérémie Laheurte

Remi Ochlik

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A Private War: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Celebrated war correspondent Marie Colvin is a woman who is as comfortable downing martinis with high society's elite as she is brazenly staring down warlords and fleeing from gunfire. Driven by an enduring desire to bear witness and give voice to the voiceless, Colvin charges into danger, constantly testing the limits between bravery and bravado.

Director: Matthew Heineman
Producer: Basil Iwanyk, Marissa McMahon, Matthew George, Matthew Heineman, Charlize Theron
Screenwriter: Arash Amel
Distributor: Aviron Pictures
Production Co: Savvy Media Holdings, Denver and Delilah Productions, Thunder Road Pictures, Kamala Films
Rating: R (Disturbing Violent Images|Brief Sexuality/Nudity|Language Throughout)
Genre: Biography, Drama, War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 16, 2018, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 5, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.6M
Runtime: 1h 50m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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