5 Days Of War (2011)

33% of critics liked it
(33 reviews)
42% of users liked it
(2,129 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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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 53 min.
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.

Read all 17 critic reviews

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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..

Cast

            Rupert Friend as Thomas Anders

            Emmanuelle Chriqui as Tatia

            Richard Coyle as Sebastian Ganz

            Heather Graham as Miriam

            Johnathon Schaech as Capt. Rezo Avaliani

            Rade Sherbedgia as Col. Demidov

            Mikko Nouisiainen as Daniil

            Kenneth Cranham as Michael Stilton

            Antje Traue as Zoe

            Mikheil Gomiashvili as Anton Khetaguri

            Ana Imnadze as Sopho Medoevi

            Anna Walton as Karin Lange

            Andy Garcia as President Mikheil Saakashvil

            Val Kilmer as Dutchman

            Dean Cain as Chris Bailot

            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
See full cast