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The War

Play trailer Poster for The War PG-13 1994 2h 5m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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25% Tomatometer 16 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

View All (16) Critics Reviews
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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (431) audience reviews
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 Read all reviews
The War

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Cast & Crew

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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
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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