Courage Under Fire

Name: Courage Under Fire
Genre: Action, Mystery, War
Released: April 12, 1996
Duration: 117 min
Rating: 77
Cast: Denzel Washington, Meg Ryan

1996

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 19 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 46 Ratings

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6.5

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6.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 46 Ratings

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Courage Under Fire

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Movie Details & Credits

American Broadcasting Company (ABC) | Release Date: April 12, 1996 | R

Starring: Denzel Washington, Meg Ryan

Summary: Lt. Colonel Serling (Washington) is sent home from the Gulf War and soon becomes embroiled in intrigue when he investigates the circumstances surrounding the death of medal-of-honor candidate Capt. Karen Walden (Ryan). (Twentieth Century Fox)

Director: Edward Zwick

Genre(s): Action, Mystery, War

Rating: R

Runtime: 117 min

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Critic Reviews

100

James Berardinelli

As profound and intelligent as it is moving, and that makes this memorable motion picture one of 1996's best. Read full review

Peter Stack

Denzel Washington is riveting. Read full review

Roger Ebert

The end of the film understandably lays on the emotion a little heavily, but until then Courage Under Fire has been a fascinating emotional and logistical puzzle--almost a courtroom movie, with the desert as the courtroom. Read full review

Empire Ian Nathan

This is - gasp! - a Hollywood movie actually daring to bare its teeth at silly American flag-waving. Read full review

Staff (Not credited)

Edward Zwick's high-minded new outing offers plenty of old-fashioned movie virtues such as believable action, plausible psychology, fully played-out confrontations and honest emotions. Read full review

Susan Wloszczyna

A film that wins on 'Courage' of its convictions. {12 July 1996, p. D1]

Desson Thomson

I sat through "Courage" with interest, but I wasn't particularly moved or riveted with suspense. Read full review

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User Reviews

FilipeNeto

Sep 3, 2019

In this movie, a US Army officer, still disturbed by a friendly fire episode that starred in the Gulf War, has to investigate the events of another war episode in order to find out if a military woman is entitled to the Medal of Honor. But there are incongruities in witness reports and theIn this movie, a US Army officer, still disturbed by a friendly fire episode that starred in the Gulf War, has to investigate the events of another war episode in order to find out if a military woman is entitled to the Medal of Honor. But there are incongruities in witness reports and the investigation may reveal the worst of the military involved.

I confess I expected more from this movie. Great actors, an appealing script, everything perfect... but it's not surprising, something is missing. The script is good, but could be much better. The Gulf War is never properly exploited and conflict is only a reason for the events that follow. The rest is based on a constant crossover of testimonials about a single isolated war incident, where one soldier says one thing and another says something else entirely. It's not a bad recipe, but it tires and easily wears out. The action scenes are good, but do not justify a second viewing.

The cast has a number of well known names. Firstly, Denzel Washington and Meg Ryan in the lead roles. He is good when the lead requires presence, personality and charisma; she does not look very well in this movie. I think the character would not be the most suitable for these actress, which was a casting mistake. Matt Damon and Lou Diamond Phillips were fine.

Technically, the movie doesn't stand out. Good sound and special effects, especially in combat scenes, interesting costumes, like what we were expecting. A very discreet soundtrack... nothing more.… Expand

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Tyranian

Nov 17, 2019

Has pretty good acting but is otherwise unremarkable. Very much by-the-numbers.

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21	#21 Best Movie of 1996
88	#88 Most Discussed Movie of 1996
64	#64 Most Shared Movie of 1996