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Cara Seymour, David O'Hara, Desmond Dube, Don Cheadle, Fana Mokoena ...( see more  see more... ) , Hakeem Kae-Kazim , Joaquin Phoenix , Mathabo Pieterson , Mosa Kaiser , Nick Nolte , Ofentse Modiselle , Sophie Okonedo , Tony Kgoroge , Jean Reno

Ten years ago some of the worst atrocities in the history of mankind took place in the country of Rwanda--and in an era of high-speed communication and round the clock news, the events went almost unn...( read more  read more... )oticed by the rest of the world. In only three months, one million people were brutally murdered. In the face of these unspeakable actions, inspired by his love for his family, an ordinary man summons extraordinary courage to save the lives of over a thousand helpless refugees, by granting them shelter in the hotel he manages.

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179 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 50 min.

Directed by: Terry George

Release Date: December 22, 2004

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DVD Release Date: April 12, 2005

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Flixster Reviews (14,260)

  • AgentLexi2132
    January 15, 2010
    AgentLexi2132
    ''There will be no rescue, no intervention for us. We can only save ourselves. Many of you know influential people abroad, you must call these people. You must tell them what will happen to us... say goodbye. But when you say goodbye, say it as if you are reaching through the ...( read more)phone and holding their hand. Let them know that if they let go of that hand, you will die. We must shame them into sending help.''

    The true-life story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who housed over a thousand Tutsi refugees during their struggle against the Hutu militia in Rwanda.
    A true story of a man who fought impossible odds to save everyone he could and created a place where hope survived.

    Don Cheadle: Paul Rusesabagina

    Nick Nolte: Colonel Oliver

    Joaquin Phoenix: Jack Daglish

    Hotel Rwanda(2004) in a way is the African version of genocide; On perhaps a similar wave-length as Schinder's List if thats a way of comparing or describing man's inhumanity to humanity.
    Bold strokes and human conviction displayed in beautiful persecution, seriously spine tingling as propaganda driven Soldiers kill innocents, as a country is torn down the middle. Two different types: Hutu and Tutsi.
    Rwanda 1994. The genocide of the Hutus and the Tutsis sadly commenced. The Hutu militia broke the peace of the country as they started killing any Tutsis in their sight as they called them cockroaches. This all relates and dates back to when Belgium took the country and sorted out the Rwandan people by shades of colour, nose size and this is briefly explained at the prologue of Hotel Rwanda.


    The cinematography and editing are seamlessly achieved and shown in being unrivaled. The direction Terry George brings to the screen is a calm but strong feeling that sternly keeps you in the film as there is no place in the film without a small slight of suspense or tension. Even at some intervals of the story, the constant, building tension is relieved with some nice levity of jokes which balance matters out. Terry George and his partner Keir Pearson cleverly, beautifully bring their screenplay to life.
    One aspect I loved about this film was during the most emotional scenes, the songs with the African children singers added to an already perfect atmosphere of sadness and emotional struggle. It was truly beautiful when these songs played accompanied by the actions of Paul and his wife at the same time.
    It's amazing, gripping and heart crushing to take in.
    Don Cheadle as Paul Rusesabagina displays such heroism, such compassion and shows that there are so many ways of fighting but none more important than battling using your heart and beliefs against the brute force of a Tyrant, of guns, of crimson eyed militia.

    Frustratingly the Peacemakers cannot interfere, there in a sense no hope except in a man who wants to protect others, who is selfless.
    Nick Nolte, Joaquin Phoenix Jean Reno all churn out knock out supporting actors performances elevating the film even more with it's starry casting.
    Hotel Rwanda is not only an amazingly done drama but is also educational. It shows the real life events with all the details showing how France, England, Canada, and the U.N helped during the disaster and at other moments showing how powerless they were to help. Nick Nolte plays Colonel Oliver, a Canadian soldier from the U.N who is there at the beginning of the film to help with the peace agreement. Later on, him and other Canadian soldiers are relied to help Paul and the rest of the people during the wars. His character is roughly based on the Canadian war hero Romeo Dallaire who wrote his award winning book, Shaking Hands with the Devil. Nick Nolte's performance succeeds in being believable as he brings Colonel Oliver to life.

    Massacres, Machetes...a blood soaked land, reporters desperately try to show the world, while we the audiences wish through gritted teeth and bated breath for something higher to stop the atrocities. Despotism, savagery that show the world is far from at peace.
    Paul sees the bodies of the killing in one moment of the story and it is gut wrenching to witness, to see his complete breakdown as he whimpers, cries and despairs from the chaos ensuing around him, from witnessing such evils.
    Another great scene for me when the truck transporting the Tutsi is attacked by angry hordes; Intense to say the least.
    The real story here is Don Cheadle. With his absolutely extraordinary role, he carries the film on his shoulders. Definitely an astonishing, breathtaking performance, which is one of the best of the year. Don Cheadle's performance is so moving, emotional and so remarkable that he is at his absolute best ever.
    An arguing Paul and a General talking about Scotland was also memorable.

    Overall, Hotel Rwanda is a truly moving, stunning and inspirational masterpiece.
    On a closing note, I must say that I strongly recommend that all should view this masterpiece as it educates everyone on the disasters that occurred back in ten years before in 1994. If you truly believe and have faith, the extraordinary can be accomplished and Paul Rusesabagina proved this to us.
    Hotel Rwanda delivers a message that man will forever be repeating mistakes unless we eliminate hate, despair and ultimately we must learn from a blood soaked past.
  • Galeocerdo
    January 5, 2010
    Galeocerdo
    Review coming soon.
  • SirPant
    September 18, 2009
    SirPant
    Don Cheadle's performance is brilliant in this true story set during the atrocities in Rwanda.
  • irisheyes686
    September 1, 2009
    irisheyes686
    Such a sad story. I can't believe this went on for so long before someone intervened. Cheadle was amazing in this.
  • KhrisP
    August 30, 2009
    KhrisP
    An excellent film, can't believe I didnt watch it sooner!

    Don Cheadle's finest work and probably one of the best dramas around, nothing quite hits you in the heart than a movie about struggle and survivial in the world's most dangerous and hopless continent... Africa. And it pre...( read more)tty much made things clear that the world cannot stand by too long while people are being massacared... and in the end, one million people were killed in Rwanda.

    Enter Paul Rusesabagina (Cheadle) , a Hutu, who is the manager of the Hôtel des Mille Collines in Kigali, Rwanda. When the Hutu President is killed after Tutsi rebels broke and agreement, the extremist Hutu army and milita ordered the death of all Tutsi rebels and their conspirators, leading to the death of millions. Paul's wife, being a Tutsi, is found by a small group of refugees and he manages to hide them inside his hotel which i guarded by UN peacekeepers. But the handful soon turn into hundreds, as the extremists begin to "cleanse" the land of the cockroaches, and the UN powerless to help, the Western World seeing no gain from sending any reinforcements. With the foriengers and UN gone, Paul uses bribes to keep the militia at bay while his employer Mr Tillens (Jean Reno) and General Oliver (Gary Busey) try to convince the superiors and nations to assist the Rwandans....and in the midst of all this, Paul is left to manage his four star hotel and its workers, care for his scared family and protect the hundreds of refugees under his care, risking his wealth and his life to save as many as he can.

    A really great piece of filmmaking, the drama never stops as Paul and the world surrounding him plunges into deeper levels of despair after the other, and at times hope is almost lost, and time has run out

    An excellent film.... Go watch it yourself, nothing more to be said here.
  • KingreX32
    February 8, 2010
    KingreX32
    You cant really review a movie like this. But all I can say is that Paul Rusesabingina is a brave man. And what he did for those people words cannot describe. He is the real hero not Superman Spiderman, Batman. This movie was very emotional. I hope humanity never makes the same m...( read more)istake again.
  • ryangibbons56
    February 2, 2010
    ryangibbons56
    Cheadle is outstanding in one of the best dramas I have ever seen.
  • FraudForBray
    January 31, 2010
    FraudForBray
    two thumbs up. awesome acting! I just luv luv luuurrrve this movie. this movie made me realize that there is still discrimination among the discriminated. this is an eye-opener. truly is.
  • MissSaraRuth
    January 25, 2010
    MissSaraRuth
    Excellent! Very well acted. Very disturbingly real...probably because it all really happened.
  • tallullah3
    January 24, 2010
    tallullah3
    One of the saddest movies ever.

View All Hotel Rwanda Reviews

Critic Reviews

May 4, 2005
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness

Incapable of honestly confronting its ugly subject matter. full review

January 7, 2005
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

It has a genuine power: the ability of film to beam light onto dark days of history, making it impossible for us to look away, reminding us of what we should never forget. full review

January 7, 2005
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

What makes the film not just harrowing but transcendent is Cheadle. He does nothing traditionally heroic. He just presents a picture of basic decency, showing how, when combined with courage, decency ... full review

January 7, 2005
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

There is much to respect in Hotel Rwanda, not least Cheadle's subtly crafted performance, which allows the audience a direct connection to his ethical growth. full review

January 7, 2005
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

The twofold agenda in Hotel Rwanda is to commemorate what Paul Rusesabagina did and to shame each and every Westerner who sees the movie. On both of those counts it is successful. full review

December 22, 2004
Claudia Puig, USA Today

One of the year's most moving and powerful films, anchored by a magnificent performance by Don Cheadle. full review

December 22, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The film works not because the screen is filled with meaningless special effects, formless action and vast digital armies, but because Cheadle, Nolte and the filmmakers are interested in how two men c... full review

December 15, 2004
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Despite flaws in execution, this is a film of rare courage and imperishable heart. full review

View more Hotel Rwanda reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments

  • bigsexychocolate2007
    September 14, 2008
    bigsexychocolate2007
    this is a very touching movie... i caught myself a little teary eyed...
  • pavacri23
    May 26, 2008
    pavacri23
    awesome moive. recommended 4/5. you have to watch it
  • goldentarheel17
    July 17, 2007
    goldentarheel17
    Hey guys! I've made a Hotel Rwanda quiz. Come take it:
    http://www.flixster.com/user/goldentarheel17/quiz/hotel-rwanda?invitorId=604018189

    Note: It is short.
  • mmreece
    April 18, 2007
    mmreece
    It is a good movie. I saw it with my aunt, uncle, and cousins when I was living with them. So, I do agree it is a very good movie
  • jameeldyson26
    April 15, 2007
    jameeldyson26
    great movie
  • haze832006
    April 4, 2007
    haze832006
    IT WAS SO TOUCHING I DID NOT BREATH FOR A SECOND, I'M GOING TO DIE IF I WAS THERE FIGHTING FOR MY LIFE. IM GLAD WITH OUR CREATOR THAT I WAS NOT BORN AND RAISE ON THAT SIDE OF THE COUNTRY. IT WAS STUNNING...IF IS FICTION OR NOT I LOVE IT...
  • Donegal
    March 4, 2007
    Donegal
    Touching, simply amazing. It tells a story of hope in a hopelessly tragic situation. HIGHLY recommended. On top of the great story, it is very informative so if you don't know much about Rwanda, this is definitely something you should see.

    Love the soundtrack, too.
  • cashdee
    February 22, 2007
    cashdee
    I loved this movie. It was based on actual events... The actual characters couldn't act coz they were dead... I remember when this happened... and the actual hotelier is still living today... Many died because of who they were... Tutsi... Rwanda is still rebuilding after the aftermath that happened about 17 years ago...
  • santerno
    June 4, 2006
    santerno
    This is one of the MOST eye opening movies I've ever watched.If you don;t watch this movie you are being irresponsible... watch thius movie...
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Hotel Rwanda Trivia

  • What is the signal given by a radio in Hotel Rwanda that begins the slaughter?  Answer »
  • this oscar nominated movie is about a hotel manager who saved hundreds from a slaughter and stars don cheadle  Answer »
  • He was called 'The African Schindler', the hotel manager saved hundrews from the Rwandan Slaughter. Name the film.  Answer »
  • In Hotel Rwanda what are the 2 tribes called?   Answer »
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