The War

PG-13

1994

2h 5m

Drama

List

25%

Tomatometer

16 Reviews

73%

Audience Score

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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David Ansen

Newsweek

It's impossible to tell whom this movie was made for. Even William Bennett would have trouble staying awake.

Feb 21, 2018

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

This is one of those films so overwrought and overwritten that a perfectly good human story gets swamped in Statements About the Human Condition.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Marjorie Baumgarten

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 2/5

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

Rated: 4/5

Oct 14, 2005

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Jul 7, 2005

Full Review

Robin Clifford

Reeling Reviews

Rated: 3/5

Nov 19, 2004

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Zach Z

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/10/24

Full Review

Eric G

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.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/30/24

Full Review

Kyle M

One of my all time favorite movies. Saw it first when I was 10 and now in my 30s its still amazing. There are scenes I think about all the time my whole life.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/04/22

Full Review

Holley L

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. 😉😁

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/01/22

Full Review

Audience Member

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!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Oh, sure, there's plenty of heart warming scenes. Plenty of scenes to make you smile. But, let's not BS ourselves here: what good does all this do, when you're not sure what you've watched by the time it's over!? If it's for kids, then I think their were too many violent scenes and the subject matter was too intense for most. If it's for adults, then there were too many scenes with kids acting like retards. And if it's for teens, then I don't think they'd be too interested in this movie altogether. So. There you go.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

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Jon Avnet

Director

Elijah Wood

Stu Simmons

Kevin Costner

Stephen Simmons

Mare Winningham

Lois Simmons

Lexi Randall

Lidia Joanne Simmons

Christine Baranski

Miss Strapford

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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
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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