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Tears of the Sun

Play trailer Poster for Tears of the Sun R Released Mar 7, 2003 1h 55m Action Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
34% Tomatometer 155 Reviews 69% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
The Nigerian government has fallen, and the country is on the verge of civil war. Lt. A.K. Waters (Bruce Willis) has been assigned to lead a team of soldiers into the Nigerian jungle to rescue Dr. Lena Kendricks (Monica Bellucci). When Waters and his team locate Kendricks, she tells them she won't leave her helpless patients to be slaughtered by rebels. The team incurs the wrath of both U.S. and Nigerian forces when they side with Kendricks and attempt to march the refugees to safety.
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Tears of the Sun

Tears of the Sun

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Critics Consensus

Tries to be high-minded, but in the end, it's just a stylish action movie.

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Critics Reviews

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Namrata Joshi Outlook For me, Tears of the Sun is all about how easy it can be to make a film on the perceived brutalities of another man, easier still to turn it into a crashing bore of a film! Rated: 1/4 Jan 4, 2019 Full Review David Ansen Newsweek The movie's noble aspirations are clear--Bosnia and Rwanda were obviously on the filmmakers' minds--yet it's hopelessly steeped in stale Hollywood action conventions. Mar 9, 2018 Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media Shamelessly one-sided with cheesy wooden dialogue. Rated: 1/5 Dec 28, 2010 Full Review Mark Steyn The Spectator It has a rare attention to detail and a strong sense of place. Feb 1, 2018 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: C Mar 19, 2013 Full Review Joe Lozito Big Picture Big Sound Rated: 2/4 Dec 27, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Bob K Not a flawless movie, but woefully underrated. Ms. Bellucci had an impressive performance, as did Bruce Willis. One or two cringe moments, but overall, a tense, exciting movie with dramatic performances and a majestic set to perform on. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/25/25 Full Review Dave J They didn't butcher the cinematography in the lush jungle location or squander any opportunities for a poignant close up, but the editing can't close plot holes or make the decisions for the characters that the audience surely wanted. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 04/06/25 Full Review Kirsten W I think this is Bruce Willis' best movie. I mean I'm a Bruce Willis fan but this movie dealt with moral issues. The plot was very good and the acting was great but in addition the characters faced moral questions. This is the best use of the film media. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/02/25 Full Review Pongo K "Tears of the sun" is a really good movie. It is an action movie with morals, and it is based on a real story. See it! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/09/25 Full Review János S no matter how "problematic" (kind of "American") the film is, it's worth watching for those who don't understand why there is migration from there to "here" :\ quite a good presentation of the chaotic situation, which is supported by documentaries and recordings HUN: bármennyire is "problémás" (amolyan "amerikai") film érdemes megnézni azoknak akik nem értik hogy miért van a migráció onnan "ide" :\ elég jó bemutatása a kaotikus helyzetnek amiket dokumentumfilmek és felvételek is alátámasztanak Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/18/24 Full Review Stephen D Ok it's the normal action flic. But there's a certain sense of righteousness as the barbaric deeds are repaid. And as a Bruce fan I have to love it. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/18/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Antoine Fuqua

Director

Bruce Willis

Lt. A.K. Waters

Monica Bellucci

Dr. Lena Kendricks

Cole Hauser

James "Red" Atkins

Eamonn Walker

Ellis "Zee" Pettigrew

Nick Chinlund

Michael "Slo" Slowenski

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Tears of the Sun

Bruce Willis stars as Navy SEAL Lieutenant A.K. Waters in Revolution Studios' exciting action adventure Tears of the Sun, a Columbia Pictures release. Bruce Willis stars as Navy SEAL Lieutenant A.K. Waters in Revolution Studios' exciting action adventure Tears of the Sun, a Columbia Pictures release. Bruce Willis stars as Navy SEAL Lieutenant A.K. Waters in Revolution Studios' exciting action adventure Tears of the Sun, a Columbia Pictures release. (l to r) Bruce Willis and Monica Bellucci star as Navy SEAL Lieutenant A.K. Waters and Dr. Lena Kendricks in Revolution Studios' epic action adventure Tears of the Sun, a Columbia Pictures release. A scene from Revolution Studios' exciting action adventure Tears of the Sun, a Columbia Pictures release. A scene from Revolution Studios' exciting action adventure Tears of the Sun, a Columbia Pictures release. A scene from Revolution Studios' exciting action adventure Tears of the Sun, a Columbia Pictures release. Dr. Kendricks (Bellucci) refuses to be airlifted out of western Africa until she helps escort a group of locals including Musa (Awaovieyi) & Patience (Busia) to political asylum at a nearby border. Antoine Fuqua, director of Revolution Studios' action adventure Tears of the Sun, a Columbia Pictures release. (l to r) Bruce Willis chats with director Antoine Fuqua on the set of Revolution Studios' action adventure Tears of the Sun, a Columbia Pictures release. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis The Nigerian government has fallen, and the country is on the verge of civil war. Lt. A.K. Waters (Bruce Willis) has been assigned to lead a team of soldiers into the Nigerian jungle to rescue Dr. Lena Kendricks (Monica Bellucci). When Waters and his team locate Kendricks, she tells them she won't leave her helpless patients to be slaughtered by rebels. The team incurs the wrath of both U.S. and Nigerian forces when they side with Kendricks and attempt to march the refugees to safety.
Director
Antoine Fuqua
Producer
Mike Lobell, Arnold Rifkin, Ian Bryce
Screenwriter
Alex Lasker, Patrick Cirillo
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Revolution Studios
Rating
R (Some Brutality|Language|Strong War Violence)
Genre
Action, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 7, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 25, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA)
$43.4M
Runtime
1h 55m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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