Battle in Seattle poster & wallpaper

André Benjamin, Channing Tatum, Charlize Theron

In 1999, five days rocked the world as tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Seattle in protest of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Environmentalists, consumer advocates, labor ...( read more  read more... )unions, students, anarchists and pacifists all converged, bringing attention to how the WTO's laws were affecting democracy around the world. Among them are Django, Sam, Lou and Jay. United in their desire to be heard and to make a difference, for these protesters, this is very personal and the stakes are higher than mere politics. A peaceful demonstration to stop the WTO talks quickly escalates into a full-scale riot and an eventual State of Emergency results. The streets are mayhem, the WTO is paralyzed. Caught in the crossfire are Seattle residents, including its beleaguered mayor, a riot cop on the streets and his pregnant wife. The choices they make will change their lives forever and prove, ultimately, that ordinary people can change the world.

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68% liked it

1,585 ratings

Critics

50% liked it

56 critics

R, 1 hr. 38 min.

Directed by: Stuart Townsend

Release Date: September 19, 2008

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DVD Release Date: March 10, 2009

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Flixster Reviews (510)

  • JDFortuneFan
    September 27, 2009
    JDFortuneFan
    A gripping dramatization of the demonstrations that rocked the 1999 WTO events in Seattle Washington. Townsend allows the viewers to see as much as possible on film of this catastrophe. Ingeniously, he shows a bit of each side of the story from the representative groups. Well a...( read more)cted and very cleverly filmed- a must see if you care what the WTO represents....
  • armybratgeo
    May 31, 2009
    armybratgeo
    I remember that week so vividly. We lived in Fort lewis at the time, about 45 min east of seattle. I remember the soldiers were forbidden to even get clsoe to Seattle then. I was glued to the news that week and just couldn't believe that this was happening. Even though the people...( read more)s stories were "made up" I'm sure there's some thruth to some of that. Peoples lifes were effected and everyhting wetn just so wrong. This movie tells a powerful story and I think everyone should take a look at it!
  • EarthlyAlien
    April 15, 2009
    EarthlyAlien
    An ambitious directorial debut from Irish actor Stuart Townsend that does an impressive job recreating the 1999 protests that accompanied the World Trade Organization's arrival in Seattle. In the continued acceleration of doc and drama cross-breeding, the film is adept at fleshin...( read more)g out opposing points of view leading to a city under siege, but setting the stage for a tad too impartial percolating political passions. If the film inspires even one filmgoer to learn more about how an organization like the WTO affects his or her life, then Townsend has performed a valuable public service. Charlize Theron is great here.
  • mrpopcorn
    January 12, 2009
    mrpopcorn
    "We are still fighting the Battle"

    Actor-turned-filmmaker Stuart Townsend makes his screenwriting and directorial debut with this ensemble film set during the 1999 World Trade Organization meeting in Seattle and presenting the riots that swept through the streets during t...( read more)he five-day conference from the perspectives of police, protestors, and city officials. A typically laid-back Northwestern city, Seattle would erupt into violence when, for five days in 1999, tens of thousands of protestors flooded the streets to voice their disapproval of the high-profile World Trade Organization conference. Among that sea of protestors are Django (André Benjamin), Sam (Jennifer Carpenter), Jay (Martin Henderson), and Lou (Michelle Rodriguez) -- each convinced that the stakes go beyond politics and equally determined to make a difference by ensuring that their voice of dissent is heard by the masses. At first the demonstration is peaceful, but in an instant the streets explode and the WTO is paralyzed. As a full-scale riot commences and a state of emergency is declared, the residents of Seattle are caught in the crossfire between protestors and police. With beleaguered mayor Jim Tobin (Ray Liotta) scrambling to diffuse tensions and riot cop Dale Anderson (Woody Harrelson) racing to protect his pregnant wife, Ella (Charlize Theron), everyone involved is forced to make difficult decisions that are sure to change their lives forever.

    Review
    What a surprise that there are actually people interested in making films like this. I must question, however, as the head activist did in the film, what these activists actually accomplished? I believe it is better to work with one's brains than actually provoke such direct antagonism in order to achieve the goals which this film so proudly and courageously professes. A general strike would be the vehicle to get people's attention, but I am not sure that these are the kind of groups with so much hatred which would attract a general demographic. They should try to become calm and rethink their long term strategy. The correct overview of the ensuing five years of the convention at the end of the film points to the fact that no significant gains were made.

    That, and work with young people, not old, to get them thinking and about and acting on the problems of our world. It would be great if they could be reached before high school, but most probably in high school and college is where the ideological education must be perused. All in all a very good film which does make people feel as well as think.
  • KhrisP
    October 26, 2008
    KhrisP
    A really political drama which doesn't quite delve to deeply into the politics... which I think was criticised by some, but I found it was probably better off without.

    The story is based on the 1999 Seattle riots over the WTO meeting. While the characters are not factual, they ...( read more)are built up quite well, especially Martin Henderson's character who was outstanding I think.

    The cast is an ensemble of familiar faces, from Hollywood A list to TV stars, Veterans and Young stars, international and domestic. This is a great ensemble, they pulled it off so well, I was suprised by the efforts of the young and up coming stars like Henderson, Andre Benjamin and Channing Tatum and expected no less from the likes of Liotta, Sherbedziga, Neilsen and Woody Harrelson, whom Ive missed in the movies' and they all delivered some of their best performances. The movie was about the characters and the emotional and physical trauma of the events of the battle, and they did great. A near perfect cast for a movie which I think can appeal to a wide audience.

    The secrets of this movie?

    First of all, it opens up interestingly enough around 10 stories high. XD! Yep, protesters doing their job. And within 20 minutes, the movie had sped up to the start of the main event. No lounging around, no beating around the bush or whatever people use terms for boredom. This I really appreciated, as these type of movies tend to have a slow start. A speedy entrance could have spoiled the quality and left blanks, but in this case, it began simply and effectively, the movie exploring the events of 4 days of turmoil through the eyes of protesters , police and the embattled Mayor played excellently by Liotta. The movie's pace only begins to slow down in the final 25 mins, which I guess is appropriate, as the excitement and drama subsides, and to a clear and cut ending of half week turmoil.

    The cast and their respective roles were tailor made and fit like the proverbial gloves. You cannot help but sympathise with, laugh, cry or feel the anger, pain and other emotions they bring out, the movie brings out and raises your awareness tenfold.

    The script is absolutely outstanding. Everyone in their pivotal moments said the right words perfectly. They were simple, straightforward, easily comprehensible and very effective. My favourite lines was Sherbedziga losing his cool at the leaders walking out on his speech for introducing better medical for third world nations, and the awesome ownage delivered at the end by Isaach De Bankolé (made famous in Casino Royale) a scalding attack on the First World representatives at the WTO meeting which led to the fall out of the event.

    The simplicity of how a politically tense, natured and really confusing issue was well done. I don't see how anyone can fail to understand the messages and the different views being delivered here. I guess the high energy and emotions coupled with the great script made this possible.

    Choosing your side or view. the multi viewpoints from the Mayor of Seattle to the government, the police, the protesters whether peaceful or violent, the innocent, portrayed by Charlize Theron, the confused or simply, just don't care. But one way or the other, you will have decided on a view by the end of this movie. To have a movie giving you so many choices to understand, to see the characters making those choices themselves only brought me further into the movie, engaging me on all levels from entertaining to intellectual. Greatly appreciated this subtle viewer engagement by the director.

    The vivid and sharp camera work was good. Not particularly great, but good enough so you don;t miss any of the action and drama. Based on real events, some great real life footage is thrown in, and the slide show at the end was amusing, thoughtful and eye opening as well. Gotta love movies based on real events.


    For Stuart Townsends directorial debut, this is a complete surprise and a wonderful effort for anyone. The topic and issues, interesting and original. The clear messages of the WTO and Townsend's views do come through clear, but I don't mind. The movie is a work of art, and each artwork is biased, opinionated and delivered. what makes a good work of art is how it is portrayed and delivered... and this is definitely well delivered.

    The music score I was indifferent about, it was not as engaging as the rest of the movie. I guess Massive Attack doesn't engage me any more, or he was probably the only real mistake of the film. I just didn't pay attention to the music, it didn't click. Not to say it didn't work for the movie, but I appreciate a good score to the movie, and I guess this is where it failed for me. it did take the shine of what is probably a great movie.

    I don't know how, but this became one of my favourite movies of the year, and its going on my favourites list. I don't think many would react as I would to this, but Im a fan of ensembles and fast paced movies, and the realism probably was the thing that made up my mind to watch this. I remember the Seattle Riots back in High School, and I remember in latter years coming to understanding it and the issues better and better, and its great to see this come to the big screen.

    One reviewer said he thought it was a bad TV movie.... but Townsend made it awesome. Luckily this didnt become a mini series, it would have just been inundated with useless facts, issues and scenes which would have made it boring, dull, and no entertainment value.


    Two thumbs up and a must see.
  • Nenebelle
    September 28, 2009
    Nenebelle
    Recommended by Liesebieke and JDFortuneFan.
  • se7enthangel
    September 27, 2009
    se7enthangel
    Absolutely riveting from start till end! Did not expect such good and memorable work from Stuart Townsend debut. It is interesting that he mixed actual footage supplied by Seattle television stations during the 1999 five days long riots with his direction, There s an impressive c...( read more)ast of talented actors here, including Martin Henderson, Michelle Rodriguez, Woody Harrelson, Jennifer Carpenter, Andre Benjamin, Ray Liotta, Connie Nielsen, Channing Tatum and Townsend's partner, Charlize Theron. This film creates awareness for one who s not familiar with the cause of the protestors during the WTO s convention. An interesting line from the movie: Mayor Tobin requests that protesters be tough on the issues but gentle on his town. Proof that anything sounds possible as long as politicians can find a clever way to say it.
  • CHILIcheeseDONUTSwithTUNAonTOP
    September 21, 2009
    CHILIcheeseDONUTSwithTUNAonTOP
    A movie mixed with documentary elements dealing with the massive protests against the WTO back in 1999. I agree with public demonstrations being a useful tool to enact change and obvious media distortions shown of the ?Left's? intent (and, more recently, the ?Right?), but, as sho...( read more)wn in the film, these professional leftists are annoying as hell. More ineffectual than anything. Plus, by adhering to the false Right-Left dichotomy they are playing into the hands of those who control 90% of the world. There are plenty of people just like me, who would be called ?Rightest? on a simple 2D plane, protesting against the exact same things. Also, the portrayal of the anarchists was rather one-dimensional when in fact there are groups even I support.
  • Liesebieke
    September 15, 2009
    Liesebieke
    If you're a Democrat you're going to be very angry when watching this movie. I promise you I did. If you're a Republican be ready to become VERY ashamed of your political choices!
    This movie is made to support human rights against the commercial interests of the World Trade Orga...( read more)nization.
    And yes I thought about how lucky I am that I don't have to pay for the insuline that saves my life day by day in contradiction to a poor African who gets the diabetes type 1 diagnose. This African does know there is insuline available but is too poor to pay for it and as a result he will slowly getting blind, his wounds won't heal and it will lead to amputation of his legs. The day of his death this African type 1 diabetic will die of poison in his blood, a poison his own body made due to the lack of insuline, a medicine that Europeans like myself get for free from the country we live in. And I take this for granted.

    To the Republicans I say this: it SHOULD BE taken for granted that life saving medicines are for free also in Africa AND in the USA!! REPUBLICANS: VOTE DEMOCRATIC, VOTE FOR HIGHER TAXES because HIGHER TAXES MEAN FREE HEALTH INSURANCE FOR EVERYONE REGARDING RACE, AGE OR GENDER.

    Democrats and Obama: thank you!! :-)
  • SC007
    September 13, 2009
    SC007
    I was very impressed with Stuart Townsend's directing for this film. The film had a style and look similar to films like Syriana and 21 Grams. Great performances by this ensemble. It was shot and edited well. I definitely recommend this powerful film.

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Critic Reviews

November 20, 2008
Pete Hammond, Hollywood.com

This is a powerful, wrenching and impressive writing and directing debut for the talented actor, definitely now a triple showbiz threat. full review

October 17, 2008
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

There is a monster in Battle in Seattle, but it never speaks and remains mysterious. full review

September 26, 2008
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

The chief culprits are Townsend's TV-movie characterizations and a very muddled message. full review

September 25, 2008
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The result is not quite a documentary and not quite a drama, but interesting all the same. full review

September 18, 2008
Colin Covert, Chicago Tribune

... will leave you slightly better informed than two hours spent staring at a wall. full review

September 14, 2008
Nick Schager, Slant Magazine

Fictionalized drama frustrates, rather than facilitates, understanding about the 1999 World Trade Organization (WTO) protests in Battle to Seattle. full review

View more Battle in Seattle reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

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