The War (1994)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Jon Avnet

Writer (WGA):

Kathy McWorter (written by)

Release Date:

4 November 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | War

Tagline:

What's worth fighting for?

Plot:

Vietnam War vet Costner must deal with a war of a different sort between his son and their friends, and a rival group of children...

Plot Keywords:

Vietnam | Group | Friendship | Brother Sister Relationship | Water Tower

Awards:

1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Elijah Wood	...	Stu Simmons
Kevin Costner	...	Stephen Simmons
Mare Winningham	...	Lois Simmons
Lexi Randall	...	Lidia Joanne Simmons
LaToya Chisholm	...	Elvadine
Christopher Fennell	...	Billy Lipnicki
Donald Sellers	...	Arliss Lipnicki
Leon Sills	...	Leo Lipnicki
Will West	...	Lester Lucket
Brennan Gallagher	...	Marsh
Adam Henderson	...	Chet
Charlette Julius	...	Amber
Jennifer Tyler	...	Ula Lipnicki
Lucas Black	...	Ebb
Justin Lucas	...	Willard

Runtime:

126 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | DTS-Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M | Iceland:L | South Korea:12 | Philippines:PG-13 | Australia:MA (DVD rating) | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Germany:12 | Netherlands:AL | Norway:11 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | UK:12 | USA:PG-13 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Beaufort, South Carolina, USA

Company:

Island World

Goofs:

Continuity: Amber's hands after she jumps from the tree with the rope.

Quotes:

Billy Lipnicki: You know, I saw an angel... a real one... and he was holding on to my hand... and I was going to go live in his kingdom... but he said I must come back and take care of my daddy.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Game-On: (#3.2)" (1998)

Soundtrack:

Summertime Blues

It says a lot without actually preaching.

This movie was wrongly overlooked when it came out. It has a lot to say and says it well, leaving the viewer with much to think about. It tells about poor country life in the early '70's from the view point of pre-teens. It touches on the Vietnam War through flashbacks and uses this as a study for the conflicts the children are facing. Their father is their link to the war. It deals with several kinds of hatred and its effects on the kids' lives. It also contrasts the kids' reactions to the father's.

Everything is done well. The children actors, led by Elijah Wood, do a really good job. Elijah was especially wonderful with the emotional out bursts he has to produce. Kevin Costner was surprisingly understated as the father and Mare Winningham is very good as the mother. I wish it was a bigger part. The part of the school teacher comes off a bit stereotypical but it works okay. Again, the kids carry the scene with their show of pride and willingness to stand by each other in adversity.

All in all, it's a good movie and good for older children to watch even though there is some strong language and violence. Actually, I think it's a bit mild for its PG-13 rating.



***1/2 out of ****