13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

Name: 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi
Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller, War
Released: January 15, 2016
Duration: 144 min
Rating: 48
Cast: Alexia Barlier, David Costabile, David Denman, James Badge Dale, John Krasinski

2016

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 36 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 313 Ratings

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7.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 313 Ratings

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13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: January 15, 2016 | R

Starring: Alexia Barlier, David Costabile, David Denman, James Badge Dale, John Krasinski, Max Martini, Pablo Schreiber, Toby Stephens

Summary: An American Ambassador is killed during an attack at a U.S. compound in Libya as a security team struggles to make sense out of the chaos.

Director: Michael Bay

Genre(s): Action, Drama, Thriller, War

Rating: R

Runtime: 144 min

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Critic Reviews

Joe Dziemianowicz

Jan 13, 2016

Sure, Bay indulges some signature cinematic fetishes. But he shows restraint with the slowed-down, sexed-up shots. War is gritty here, not glamorous. Result: characters, stakes and emotions feel authentic — all the more so thanks to terrific actors including James Badge Dale and Pablo Schreiber as actual ex-military men and family men who battled terrorists. Read full review

Soren Andersen

Jan 14, 2016

The movie’s main drawback is that its main characters are surprisingly ill-defined.... It’s a frustrating flaw in an otherwise engrossing picture. Read full review

Michael Phillips

Jan 14, 2016

Some of this is slick and enjoyable in what I'd characterize as the wrong way, the painlessly bloody, box-office-friendly way. Read full review

The Playlist Russ Fischer

Jan 13, 2016

Bay's overwrought tendencies simultaneously lead to the film's most compelling sequences of tense, bloody battle even as they forestall the more nuanced storytelling that would be crucial to truly unpacking the attacks. Bay may see the film as a cry of truth; muffled by his own predilections it's only a whisper. Read full review

Steve Persall

Jan 21, 2016

13 Hours is another flag-wrapped paean to true-life Alamo heroism in the vein of Lone Survivor, hoping for ticket sales like American Sniper. Neither of those movies carry the political burden of 13 Hours, and Bay isn't one to channel it. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

Jan 14, 2016

It’s long, downright dispiriting, enjoyable only sometimes, and yet there’s a feeling of authenticity. It’s neither bad nor good, but interesting. It might improve with age. Read full review

Blake Goble

Jan 13, 2016

Shots are short, oddly made, and shoddily smashed together. There’s no spatial continuity, let alone consistency in time of day, or even a care for any kind of visual coherence. 13 Hours is just chaos. It’s unwatchable, unlikable, and unworthy of respect. Read full review

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User Reviews

Mclovin69

Oct 4, 2020

These events actually occurred. If anyone is getting all pissed off simply because of the profanity in the operators language, that's how we talk to each other. If that's seriously what pisses you people off, then how about you sign up, and show them how it's done, with political correctness.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Jylg66

Jan 24, 2016

Outstanding movie..... what a learning experience, the liberal media have not spoken up on this movie, and I know why they have not after seeing the movie.
The truth and nothing but the Truth.......
This is why we're very fortunate to have a military men and women like we do. They areOutstanding movie..... what a learning experience, the liberal media have not spoken up on this movie, and I know why they have not after seeing the movie.
The truth and nothing but the Truth.......

This is why we're very fortunate to have a military men and women like we do. They are the best...

Thank you… Expand

3 of 8 users found this helpful35

StrongHarm

Jan 15, 2016

I was pleased that this was about people and not politics. There were a lot of gratuitous explosions (M.Bay.. right?) but the substance of the story was the people. Great film and a true story that begged to be told. I was also surprised by how well John Krasinski did in this film.. loveI was pleased that this was about people and not politics. There were a lot of gratuitous explosions (M.Bay.. right?) but the substance of the story was the people. Great film and a true story that begged to be told. I was also surprised by how well John Krasinski did in this film.. love Jim and The Office, but had a hard time picturing him as an ex-SEAL.. but he clearly knocks it out of the park (and never gave the camera a flat stare).… Expand

24 of 33 users found this helpful249

Sascha_ZA

Jul 29, 2021

Now one has to keep in mind that this is war movie. It is also loosely based on historical events. As such, it predictably leads up to the main conflict with a bit of back story, as well as an illustration of the lack of preparedness on the part of the US facilities. Having said that, itNow one has to keep in mind that this is war movie. It is also loosely based on historical events. As such, it predictably leads up to the main conflict with a bit of back story, as well as an illustration of the lack of preparedness on the part of the US facilities. Having said that, it does this well. It does not overindulge the viewer with complex character development. Instead the focus is on the chaos of the environment. There is a real sense of building suspense. While some want to prepare, there is the unwillingness of a few to recognise the risks and signs of violence that are clearly in play. The action sequences are brilliant and it's arguably Michael Bay's finest work. The suspense and frustration is palpable. This is one of the best in its genre. It has a solid cast, an excellent sound track, great filming and is imminently watchable.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

RobBob99

Jan 26, 2016

13 Hours does suffer from the style of its director. The use of slow motion, low angled camera shots and the very glossy camera look does scream MICHAEL BAY. However, Michael Bay directs his best movie in a decade, 13 Hours is a very solid movie. It's a well directed, well acted, intense and13 Hours does suffer from the style of its director. The use of slow motion, low angled camera shots and the very glossy camera look does scream MICHAEL BAY. However, Michael Bay directs his best movie in a decade, 13 Hours is a very solid movie. It's a well directed, well acted, intense and at times emotionally moving movie that pays respect to the brave men who fought at Benghazi back in 2012.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

CarFan1999

Aug 13, 2016

The action scenes are amazing, suspense & camerawork are both well done, and I liked how this tried to remain neutral- both culturally and politically. However, it was hard for me to care for the characters because there's little character development and there are simply too manyThe action scenes are amazing, suspense & camerawork are both well done, and I liked how this tried to remain neutral- both culturally and politically. However, it was hard for me to care for the characters because there's little character development and there are simply too many characters. The 1/3 of the story could have been shortened as it contributes little to the main plot. Overall, it's a good film with fine acting, but could have been much, much better.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

leSange

Jun 6, 2016

Not even better than last 3 part of Call of Duty. But main idea the same, 8 peoples kills over 1000 Libyans. Also, Thanks CIA and U.S. gov, but we know truth about Libya, ISIS and how Democracy come to North Africa and made this country warring ruined ISIS stronghold.

3 of 8 users found this helpful35

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51	#51 Most Discussed Movie of 2016
44	#44 Most Shared Movie of 2016