The Dogs of War (1981)

82% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
54% of users liked it
(5,182 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 governments.… 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

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Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 2 min.
Directed By: John Irvin
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1980 Wide
On DVD: Nov 20, 2001
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Vincent Canby, New York Times
Mr. Walken is unusually convincing in a difficult, hermetic kind of role.
Clint Morris, Tsunami Magazine
A bonafide classic. Walken is terrific
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.
, Time Out
This is just another weary hack job from a rootless British film industry in decline.
Brian Mckay, eFilmCritic.com
Cry Havoc . . . and wake me up for the last 15 minutes. Not a bad film, but it is a bit of a mixed bag. I just wish that bag had held a higher body count.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Khris N

Classic and undderated! Noone gives this mercenary war movie enuff credit - it deserves heaps more! Christopher Walken is Shannon, the mercenary hired to subvert a small African nation for high paying executives - until his encounter as a prisoner and his morality takes charge in his… More
Classic and undderated! Noone gives this mercenary war movie enuff credit - it deserves heaps more! Christopher Walken is Shannon, the mercenary hired to subvert a small African nation for high paying executives - until his encounter as a prisoner and his morality takes charge in his firestorm war against the totalitarian government. WONDERFUL!

Cast

            Christopher Walken as Jamie Shannon

            Tom Berenger as Drew

            Colin Blakely as North

            Hugh Millais as Endean

            Paul Freeman as Derek

            Jean-François Stévenin as Michel

            JoBeth Williams as Jessie

            Robert Urquhart as Capt. Lockhart

            Winston Ntshona as Dr. Okoye

            Pedro Armendariz Jr. as The Major

            Harlan Cary Poe as Richard

            Ed O'Neill as Terry

            Isabel Grandin as Evelyn

            Ernest Graves as Warner

            Kelvin Thomas as Black Boy

            Shane Rimmer as Dr. Oaks

            Father Joseph Konrad as Priest

            Bruce McLane as Shop Manager

            George W. Harris as Col. Bobi

            David Schofield as Endean's Man

            Terence Rigby as Hackett

            Tony Mathews as Bank Vice President

            Christopher Asante as Geoffrey

            Thomas Baptiste as Dexter

            Jim Broadbent as Film Crew

            William Cain as Poker Player

            Erica Creer as Dinner Party Guest

            Lawrence Davidson as Policeman

            Kenny Ireland as Film Crew

            Olu Jacobs as Customs Officer

            Jean-Pierre Kalfon as Benny Lambert

            Martin LaSalle
            
            Jack Lenoir as Boucher

            Christopher Malcolm as Baker

            Andre Penvern as Policeman

            Hugh Quarshie as Zangaron Officer

            John Quentin as Party Guest

            Eddie Tagoe as Jinja

            Victoria Tennant as Dinner Party Guest

            Ilario Bisi-Pedro as Kimba

            Diana Bracho as Nun

            Jose Rabelo as Hotel Clerk

            Sheila Ruskin as Dinner Party Guest

            Robert Berger as Poker Player
See full cast