Shooting Dogs

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Shooting Dogs

R

2007

1h 55m

History

Drama

War

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Watchlist

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

65 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

In 1994 Rwanda, simmering tensions between Hutus and Tutsis boil over into full-scale genocide. Two men, a priest named Father Christopher (John Hurt) and British schoolteacher Joe Connor (Hugh Dancy), get caught up in the conflict and stay behind to help those who seek shelter at the Ecole Technique Officielle.

Critics Consensus

Complex, human characters and on-location shooting give Beyond the Gates palpable tension and urgency.

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

This is a spiritual drama, not a political one, drawing a thick line between our good intentions and the selfish choices we ultimately make.

Jan 4, 2008

Full Review

Stephen Holden

New York Times

Though less reassuring and not as dramatically coherent as Hotel Rwanda, it still packs a hard punch.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 11, 2007

Full Review

Marc Savlov

Austin Chronicle

The film grinds inexorably toward its unsurprising and terrible conclusion with infinite grace but no real suspense.

Rated: 2.5/5

Jun 1, 2007

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

A more historically accurate, yet less cinematically satisfying look at the events that unfolded in Rwanda during 1994.

Rated: 2.5/4.0

Sep 2, 2020

Full Review

Christian Toto

Washington Times

Beyond the Gates takes an unflinching look at the start of the Rwandan genocide.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 13, 2008

Full Review

Tim Brayton

Antagony & Ecstasy

It simply presents, and assumes that we have the inherent morality to understand that what we are watching is evil.

Rated: 8/10

Sep 20, 2007

Full Review

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Stephen C

Based on a true story in 1 hour and 55 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Language, Disturbing Images and Strong Violence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $38,300.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy 20th anniversary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/22/25

Full Review

Bulgantamir B

I liked the main idea of the movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/08/24

Full Review

Godfrey D

Its a really good movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/07/24

Full Review

Me A

A much better watch is Sometimes In April where the story actually focuses on Rwandan people (them being the main ones affected by the atrocities) and how they personally were affected and not on the side characters.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/17/24

Full Review

Ewan M

Shocking events in Rwanda highlighted in this excellent film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/03/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A difficult subject well told, and a useful, and shocking guide to the true events of the Rwandan Genocide, and how some failed to act appropriately.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

Full Review

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Michael Caton-Jones

Director

John Hurt

Father Christopher

Hugh Dancy

Joe Connor

Dominique Horwitz

Captain Delon

Louis Mahoney

Sibomana

Nicola Walker

Rachel

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Synopsis

In 1994 Rwanda, simmering tensions between Hutus and Tutsis boil over into full-scale genocide. Two men, a priest named Father Christopher (John Hurt) and British schoolteacher Joe Connor (Hugh Dancy), get caught up in the conflict and stay behind to help those who seek shelter at the Ecole Technique Officielle.

Director: Michael Caton-Jones
Producer: David Belton, Pippa Scott, Jens Meurer
Screenwriter: David Wolstencroft
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: BBC, UK Film Council, Egoli Tossell Films
Rating: R (Language|Disturbing Images|Strong Violence)
Genre: History, Drama, War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 9, 2007, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $38.3K
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital