The Dogs of War (1981)
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75% of critics liked it
(12 reviews) -
54% of users liked it
(5,268 ratings)
Christopher Walken stars in John Irvin's graphic adaptation of Frederick Forsythe's novel about a mercenary sent to overthrow the government of an African country. Walken is Shannon, an American soldier of fortune who has staged incidents in Central America and Africa that helped topple… More Christopher Walken stars in John Irvin's graphic adaptation of Frederick Forsythe's novel about a mercenary sent to overthrow the government of an African country. Walken is Shannon, an American soldier of fortune who has staged incidents in Central America and Africa that helped topple governments. Shannon decides to take on one more mission when American businessman Endean (Hugh Millais), working for a large mining company wanting to move into an African country, hires Shannon to scout out the terrain of the country and see if the government is weak enough to be overthrown. Shannon assumes the guise of a photographer for a nature magazine and travels through the country, meeting a wide-array of people. But the government becomes suspicious of Shannon and throws him in jail, where, between torture sessions, he meets an imprisoned dissident leader. Through his imprisonment, Shannon comes to understand more fully the struggles of the African country. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
- Directed By
- John Irvin
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International
R,
- In Theaters
- Jun 1, 1980 Wide
- Studio
- Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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, Time Out
This is just another weary hack job from a rootless British film industry in decline.
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Vincent Canby, New York Times
Mr. Walken is unusually convincing in a difficult, hermetic kind of role.
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
[An] action film that will evaporate from the memory shortly after the end credits roll.
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Clint Morris, Tsunami Magazine
A bonafide classic. Walken is terrific
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Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
The Dogs of War is a guilty pleasure that is now old enough it sometimes actually pops up on Turner Classic Movies.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
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Cast
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Christopher Walken
as Jamie Shannon
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Tom Berenger
as Drew
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Colin Blakely
as North
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Hugh Millais
as Endean
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Paul Freeman
as Derek
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Jean-François Stévenin
as Michel
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JoBeth Williams
as Jessie
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Robert Urquhart
as Capt. Lockhart
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Winston Ntshona
as Dr. Okoye
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Pedro Armendariz Jr.
as The Major
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Harlan Cary Poe
as Richard
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Ed O'Neill
as Terry
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Isabel Grandin
as Evelyn
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Ernest Graves
as Warner
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Kelvin Thomas
as Black Boy
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Shane Rimmer
as Dr. Oaks
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Father Joseph Konrad
as Priest
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Bruce McLane
as Shop Manager
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George W. Harris
as Col. Bobi
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David Schofield
as Endean's Man
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Terence Rigby
as Hackett
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Tony Mathews
as Bank Vice President
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Christopher Asante
as Geoffrey
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Thomas Baptiste
as Dexter
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Jim Broadbent
as Film Crew
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William Cain
as Poker Player
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Erica Creer
as Dinner Party Guest
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Lawrence Davidson
as Policeman
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Kenny Ireland
as Film Crew
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Olu Jacobs
as Customs Officer
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Jean-Pierre Kalfon
as Benny Lambert
- Martin LaSalle
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Jack Lenoir
as Boucher
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Christopher Malcolm
as Baker
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Andre Penvern
as Policeman
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Hugh Quarshie
as Zangaron Officer
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John Quentin
as Party Guest
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Eddie Tagoe
as Jinja
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Victoria Tennant
as Dinner Party Guest
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Ilario Bisi-Pedro
as Kimba
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Diana Bracho
as Nun
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Jose Rabelo
as Hotel Clerk
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Sheila Ruskin
as Dinner Party Guest
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Robert Berger
as Poker Player
