5 Days Of War (2011)

33% of critics liked it
(33 reviews)
39% of users liked it
(2,332 ratings)

5 Days of War is an action-packed international thriller from acclaimed director, Renny Harlin. Based on true events, this intense film is a vivid account of a renegade American journalist, his cameraman and a local woman caught behind enemy lines, and determined to not only survive, but tell the… More 5 Days of War is an action-packed international thriller from acclaimed director, Renny Harlin. Based on true events, this intense film is a vivid account of a renegade American journalist, his cameraman and a local woman caught behind enemy lines, and determined to not only survive, but tell the world what was happening, during the swift but devastating 5-day war between Russian and the Georgian Republic in 2008. -- (C) Anchor Bay

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Directed By: Renny Harlin
Written By: Mikko Alanne, David Battle
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Special Interest

In Theaters: Aug 19, 2011 Limited
On DVD: Nov 29, 2011
Studio: Anchor Bay Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
An action movie scarcely deeper than a Michael Bay extravaganza.
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
Harlin's film begins with the familiar adage that truth is the first casualty of war. Usually that phrase precedes an attempt to revive the patient, not bury it deeper in the rubble of propaganda.
Linda Barnard, Toronto Star
The plot is culled from a variety of "war is hell but I'm covering it anyway" journalist-in-the-field movies but handled with clichéd clumsiness in a script by David Battle and doctored by Finnish writer Mikko Alanne.
John DeFore, Hollywood Reporter
Flimsy dramatization of Russia/Georgia conflict fails both as historical re-enactment and as action-flick thrill ride.
John DeFore, Washington Post
Harlin's roots show throughout the picture, as he films real-life horrors with a bombast better suited to summer entertainment.
Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News
Embarrassingly clumsy.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...an aggressively unwatchable piece of work that trivializes its searing subject matter...
Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle
Opening with the oft-quoted statement "The first casualty of war is truth," 5 Days of War should have heeded its own warning.
Jeanne Kaplan, Kaplan vs. Kaplan
Harlin made a wise decision to use Checco Varese as his Director of Photography. As a veteran news cameraman, he has a wealth of experience shooting war zones which translated brilliantly to this film.
David Kaplan, Kaplan vs. Kaplan
"5 Days of War" is an action-packed and tense story of a handful of ultra-heroic war correspondents who risk their lives to tell the truth.
Mark Dujsik, Mark Reviews Movies
[Presents] its protagonist journalists as ill-defined types performing heroic daring-do and the Georgian refugees taken under their wing as a plot device.
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion
One can imagine a powerful film being made using the brief 2008 'war' as a backdrop. Unfortunately, this isn't it.
Jim Slotek, Jam! Movies
Basically 5 Days of War is a popcorn movie for people itching to hate Russians again.
Ron Wilkinson, Monsters and Critics
5 Days of war seems like an eternity if you are in the audience.
Brian Orndorf, BrianOrndorf.com
Harlin manages to summarize the intensity of combat and the despair of conflict. Despite its many flaws, "5 Days of War" retains a visceral punch. A shame it doesn't have much of a brain.
Alison Willmore, AV Club
As propaganda, 5 Days Of War is unlikely to make a mark, though perhaps the idea of reaching people through would-be blockbusters will.
Donald J. Levit, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
A finely realized depiction of war today and of the civilians who suffer the not always 'collateral' consequences.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cynthia S

At times a little overacted and overblown, this movie wasn't too bad. This movie is definitely a propaganda film. Very, very pro-Georgia. Not to say they weren't screwed over by the Russians, but the movie got a bit too fantastical toward the end. It's good to bring to… More
At times a little overacted and overblown, this movie wasn't too bad. This movie is definitely a propaganda film. Very, very pro-Georgia. Not to say they weren't screwed over by the Russians, but the movie got a bit too fantastical toward the end. It's good to bring to light the types of atrocities that occur to innocent citizens during wars, but there were an awful lot of "gimme a break!" moments for me. I think that alone made this movie just beyond watchable..
Walter M

In "5 Days of War," Thomas Anders(Rupert Friend), a journalist, gets a tip from the Dutchman(Val Kilmer), a colleague, about an upcoming Russian invasion of Georgia. Bringing along his photographer, Sebastian Ganz(Richard Coyle), Anders hooks up with Rezo(Johnathon… More
In "5 Days of War," Thomas Anders(Rupert Friend), a journalist, gets a tip from the Dutchman(Val Kilmer), a colleague, about an upcoming Russian invasion of Georgia. Bringing along his photographer, Sebastian Ganz(Richard Coyle), Anders hooks up with Rezo(Johnathon Schaech), a contact in the Georgian army who saved his bacon back in Iraq. After which, they take in a wedding which is bombarded by Russian forces and then follow that up by accompanying Tatia(Emmanuelle Chriqui) north into the path of danger in search of her missing family. Since "5 Days of War" is based on actual events, one might think the best route would have been a documentary. After seeing the havoc that director Renny Harlin wrecks with the material by almost turning it into an action movie at times, one would have definite cause to be correct. And to no one's surprise, the rest of it is not exactly subtle. While I am on the film's side in praising the heroics of war reporters in bringing news to light, especially in a conflict like this where Putin is not as heavily criticized as he should be, I think the movie's two main points are incorrect. One, I did read about Georgia being invaded in the newspaper, so obviously people did care. Two, the United States would not get involved because it did not want to cause World War III unduly, although comparing invasions would have been provocative to say the least. Otherwise, Richard Coyle hits the right gonzo notes and there is one great scene involving Rade Serbedzija and a chessboard that summarizes everything nicely.

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Cast

Rupert Friend
as Thomas Anders
Richard Coyle
as Sebastian Ganz
Emmanuelle Chriqui
as Tatia, Tatia Khetaguri
Heather Graham
as Miriam, Miriam Eisner
Johnathon Schaech
as Capt. Rezo Avaliani, Captain Rezo Avalia...
Rade Sherbedgia
as Col. Demidov, Colonel Alexandr Demidov
Mikko Nouisiainen
as Daniil
Mikheil Gomiashvili
as Anton Khetaguri
Ana Imnadze
as Sopho Medoevi
Anna Walton
as Karin Lange
Antje Traue
as Zoe
Kenneth Cranham
as Michael Stilton, Stilton
Dean Cain
as Chris Bailot
Andy Garcia
as President Mikheil Saakashvil, President ...
Val Kilmer
as Dutchman, Laurens 'Dutchman' Roemer
Sergei Shvedkov
as Minister Temur Iakobashvili
Steven Robertson
as Minister David Kezerashvili
Alan Mckenna
as Minister Alexandre Lomaia
Giorgi Tsaava
as Major Lavrin
Lasha Kankava
as Daniil's Man #1
Beka Tabukashvili
as Daniil's Man #2
Lasha Okreshidze
as Georgian Lieutenant
Kakha Mikiashvili
as Inn Keeper
Natia Metreveli
as Inn Keeper's Wife
Lile Oniani
as Inn Keeper's Infant
Natalia Gularashvili
as Inn Keeper's Baby
Gia Kusikashvili
as Village Man
Lia Suluashvili
as Woman Shot in Knees
Koka Shanava
as Militia Boy
Liako Gogidze
as Waitress
Tornike Bziava
as Giorgi The Guide
Kakha Gogidze
as Priest
George Kipshidze
as Iraqi Taxi Driver
Zura Javaxia
as Lasha Tsagareli
Levan Pirtskhalava
as Georgian Lieutenant
Zura Ingorokva
as Georgian Captain
Rostom Lortkipanidze
as Priest
Luke Albright
as Satellite Van Tech Jameson
Jino Jiniuzashvili
as Oldest Militia Boy
Lashari Folk Ensemble
as Wedding Singers
Giorgi Ushikishvili
as Wedding Singer
Sukhishvili
as Wedding Dancers
Manana Midelashvili
as Disabled Woman
Ruslan Bakradze
as Disabled Man
Aleko Gabedava
as Rezo's Soldier
Nika Tserediani
as Chief of Police
Malkhaz Abuladze
as Mayor
Natalia Kipshidze
as Girl in Church
Dali Doijashvili
as Older Village Woman
Nino Jokhadze
as Young Village Girl

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5 Days Of War (2011)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Cynthia S

Walter M

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