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The War

Play trailer Poster for The War PG-13 1994 2h 5m Drama War Play Trailer Watchlist
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27% Tomatometer 15 Reviews 73% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
In 1970s rural Mississippi, Vietnam veteran Stephen Simmons (Kevin Costner) adjusts to life after military service. Plagued by nightmares about his wartime experiences, Stephen finds some measure of peace in his new mining job and his relationship with his wife, Lois (Mare Winningham). As Stephen works through his battle trauma, his children -- son Stu (Elijah Wood) and daughter Lidia (Lexi Randall) -- wage a war against a group of neighborhood kids over the ownership of a tree house.
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The War

Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek 02/21/2018
It's impossible to tell whom this movie was made for. Even William Bennett would have trouble staying awake. Go to Full Review
Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 01/01/2000
2/4
This is one of those films so overwrought and overwritten that a perfectly good human story gets swamped in Statements About the Human Condition. Go to Full Review
Chuck O'Leary Fantastica Daily 10/14/2005
4/5
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 07/07/2005
2/5
Robin Clifford Reeling Reviews 11/19/2004
3/5
Jake Euker F5 (Wichita, KS) 03/17/2004
1/5
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Audience Reviews

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Ryan A Apr 30 For myself, the best way to judge whether a movie is worth watching is how it resonates with you well after the first watch. Are the feelings you had while watching the film still sitting with you. Was the film memorable long after the first watch. Things like editing, movie scores, solid acting, cinematography can be gauged on a first glance, but the total summation of a films true success take time for a complete summation. This movie is a timecapsul filled with emotions. I absolutely do not understand how a person can watch this film and not find value on the screen. You don't need to be born in the 70s to appreciate the story or the struggles the story teller projects. All the child actors were stupendous. Scores and music were very well executed. If you haven't seen it you should. It's not for everybody, but it's a memorable film, and if I'm the filmmaker that is the true gauge for success. See more Robert K Mar 8 Began watching "The War" while browsing for something else, but stayed tuned for a longer glimpse after seeing Kevin Coster playing the dad, as his movies are usually worth watching. What stays with me is how this movie continually grows on you from beginning to end, evoking so many emotions in the process that it fills the spectrum from elation to despair to rage. The War is definitely recommended, is a popcorn-eating event, but does come with children swearing a bunch. This is the realism of 1970's ghetto-speak, so it was easy to tolerate. See more Zach Z 06/10/2024 Really good period movie about life in post-Vietnam Southern US. The War appeals to both kids and adults this has long been a family favorite. What’s essentially a 60s period movie taking place in the impoverished south it delves into social rivalries and familial upheaval from the PTSD stricken Kevin Costner. This movie follows the main protagonist, a young Elijah Wood as he tackles the construction of a treehouse in conflict with a rival clan leading up to a climactic battle between the two with a wholesome resolution resulting from tragic events. See more Eric G 05/30/2024 This is one of those movies that's just extremely well done. From start to finish, you are captivated by the story. The acting is top notch, cinematography is amazing, music is touching, it's got pretty much everything except romance. See more Holley L 11/01/2022 One of my all time favorite movies from my childhood! A list cast before they were A list. My sister and I still use numerous quotes from this movie almost everyday. And it's got Kevin Costner enough said. 😉😁 See more 04/05/2021 This is an amazing movie to watch with the kids.It teaches you that love brings us together and puts aside our differences. So round up the family and a bowl of popcorn and sit back and enjoy! See more Read all reviews
The War

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Movie Info

Synopsis In 1970s rural Mississippi, Vietnam veteran Stephen Simmons (Kevin Costner) adjusts to life after military service. Plagued by nightmares about his wartime experiences, Stephen finds some measure of peace in his new mining job and his relationship with his wife, Lois (Mare Winningham). As Stephen works through his battle trauma, his children -- son Stu (Elijah Wood) and daughter Lidia (Lexi Randall) -- wage a war against a group of neighborhood kids over the ownership of a tree house.
Director
Jon Avnet
Producer
Jon Avnet, Jordan Kerner
Screenwriter
Kathy McWorter
Production Co
Island World
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Drama, War
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 18, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$16.5M
Runtime
2h 5m
Sound Mix
Surround
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