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Courage Under Fire

Play trailer Poster for Courage Under Fire R Released Jul 12, 1996 1h 55m Action Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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86% Tomatometer 57 Reviews 66% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
During the 1991 Gulf War, Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel Serling (Denzel Washington) accidentally caused a friendly fire incident, a mistake that was hushed up by his superiors. Following the war, he is assigned to investigate the case of Army Captain Karen Walden (Meg Ryan), killed in action when her Medevac unit was attempting to rescue the crew of a downed helicopter. But, as Serling interviews the members of Walden's crew, he realizes their stories about the incident don't add up.
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Courage Under Fire

Courage Under Fire

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Critics Consensus

An emotional and intriguing tale of a military officer who must review the merits of a fallen officer while confronting his own war demons. Effectively depicts the terrors of war as well as its heartbreaking aftermath.

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Critics Reviews

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Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader What emerges may not be quite as cut-and-dried as the movie’s structure sometimes implies. Jun 14, 2022 Full Review David Ansen Newsweek Washington, subtle, moving and charismatic, anchors the movie...Zwick's movie is solid, honorable and well crafted, but when all the veils have dropped and the mysteries solved, it feels tidier and more melodramatic than it promised. Feb 27, 2018 Full Review Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly Rated: B+ Sep 7, 2011 Full Review Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies Its central mystery is compelling even though it takes some time before we finally get to the truth. And even though the emotion is pretty thick in the final 15 minutes it still feels earned. Rated: 4/5 Aug 19, 2022 Full Review Mark Jackson Epoch Times If a woman in command has wounded soldiers that need protecting from enemy forces, and her maternal instinct kicks in-look out. Rated: 4/5 Aug 5, 2021 Full Review Charles Cassady Common Sense Media Military drama deploys plenty of violence, swearing. Rated: 3/5 Sep 14, 2010 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Andrew B Denzel Washington shows incredible depth of emotional range and carries every scene he is in. This slow-paced uncovering of the truth makes for a series of intriguing interactions between Denzel and the cast but feels as if each scene exists in isolation. Overall, the point of the film is difficult to resonate with—are there no heroes in war, or are all soldiers heroes? Maybe that's the point. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 06/26/25 Full Review Revolver 0 maybe one of the stupidest war scenes ever made, pure comedy Rated 1 out of 5 stars 05/26/25 Full Review Tim M Edward Zwick's direction veers towards histrionics at times, but Courage Under Fire relies on staunch acting in completing its mission. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 05/11/25 Full Review Fabrícia F Incrível, emocionante, surpreendente! Um prêmio póstumo de honra ao mérito dedicado a uma oficial (Meg Ryan) falecida na Guerra do Golfo em 1991, se torna uma investigação complexa para o tenente Nathaniel Serling (Denzel Washington), revelando seus temores e conflitos morais. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/05/24 Full Review rashid W They wouldn't make this movie today! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/03/23 Full Review John A Zwick's non-linear character study has some strong acting and the screenplay has enough intelligence to avoid being schmaltzy or too saccharine in it's final act. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 04/28/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Courage Under Fire

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Cast & Crew

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Edward Zwick

Director

Denzel Washington

Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel Serling

Meg Ryan

Captain Karen Emma Walden

Lou Diamond Phillips

Sgt. Monfriez

Michael Moriarty

Brigadier General Hershberg

Bronson Pinchot

Bruno

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Courage Under Fire

Courage Under Fire (1996) Courage Under Fire (1996) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis During the 1991 Gulf War, Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel Serling (Denzel Washington) accidentally caused a friendly fire incident, a mistake that was hushed up by his superiors. Following the war, he is assigned to investigate the case of Army Captain Karen Walden (Meg Ryan), killed in action when her Medevac unit was attempting to rescue the crew of a downed helicopter. But, as Serling interviews the members of Walden's crew, he realizes their stories about the incident don't add up.
Director
Edward Zwick
Producer
John Davis, David T. Friendly, Joseph Singer
Screenwriter
Patrick Sheane Duncan
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Fox 2000 Pictures
Rating
R
Genre
Action, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 12, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$59.0M
Runtime
1h 55m
Sound Mix
Surround
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