Courage Under Fire

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Courage Under Fire

R

1996

1h 55m

Action

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

56 Reviews

66%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

During the 1991 Gulf War, Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel Serling (Denzel Washington) accidentally caused a friendly fire incident, a mistake that was hushed up by his superiors. Following the war, he is assigned to investigate the case of Army Captain Karen Walden (Meg Ryan), killed in action when her Medevac unit was attempting to rescue the crew of a downed helicopter. But, as Serling interviews the members of Walden's crew, he realizes their stories about the incident don't add up.

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Critics Consensus

An emotional and intriguing tale of a military officer who must review the merits of a fallen officer while confronting his own war demons. Effectively depicts the terrors of war as well as its heartbreaking aftermath.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Jun 14, 2022

What emerges may not be quite as cut-and-dried as the movie’s structure sometimes implies.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Feb 27, 2018

Washington, subtle, moving and charismatic, anchors the movie...Zwick's movie is solid, honorable and well crafted, but when all the veils have dropped and the mysteries solved, it feels tidier and more melodramatic than it promised.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Jul 22, 2008

A carefully conceived, dramatically honorable picture that treats its subject with clarity and intelligence, especially by contemporary standards.

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Aug 19, 2022

4/5

Its central mystery is compelling even though it takes some time before we finally get to the truth. And even though the emotion is pretty thick in the final 15 minutes it still feels earned.

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Mark Jackson

Epoch Times

Aug 5, 2021

4/5

If a woman in command has wounded soldiers that need protecting from enemy forces, and her maternal instinct kicks in-look out.

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Charles Cassady

Common Sense Media

Sep 14, 2010

3/5

Military drama deploys plenty of violence, swearing.

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Farah R

@Farah Sep 12, 2026

Courage Under Fire was compelling, with strong performances and plenty of that classic 90s charm. The story itself didn’t connect with me, but Denzel Washington was, as always, fantastic. He has a way of elevating every movie he’s in, and his presence alone made this worth watching.

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bruce F

@bruce999 Aug 4, 2026

everyone seems to have a different opinion, in what happened to the officer. the movie is well done, and the scenes are believable

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Ashequl I

@Tofa13 Jul 27, 2026

Courage Under Fire (1996) is a compelling, layered conspiracy drama that explores truth, guilt, and the cost of military honor. Directed by Edward Zwick, the film uses a brilliant Rashomon-style flashback structure to investigate whether a fallen helicopter pilot deserves the Medal of Honor. Denzel Washington gives a phenomenal, deeply grounded performance as an investigator battling his own traumatic past while pushing against institutional cover-ups. Supported by strong performances from Meg Ryan, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Matt Damon, the film balances a suspenseful mystery with sharp commentary on political PR versus reality. A great, highly rewarding watch.

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shane O

@Shanes_DVD_Shack Jun 10, 2026

That acting and drama over all is very good , but the story is pretty silly. It does have a lot of 90s charm. Worth a watch

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Joe K

@joe_klunder Feb 10, 2026

Courage Under Fire was an excellent book and film. As a family member of fifty Veterans, I can see why these are powerful ideas and images. Denzel Washington does a great job. Still, all the actors are so powerful and believable. Look at how thin Matt Damon got for the role of an aggreived drug addict. Meg Ryan shows how strong of a person she is. I have a Joe Klunder Veterans Challenge as a way to honor those who served. That is how inspirational this movie is to me.

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Garrett B

@gmoney637 Feb 10, 2026

A well-crafted and emotional war drama.

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Edward Zwick

Director

Denzel Washington

Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel Serling

Meg Ryan

Captain Karen Emma Walden

Lou Diamond Phillips

Sgt. Monfriez

Michael Moriarty

Brigadier General Hershberg

Bronson Pinchot

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Synopsis

During the 1991 Gulf War, Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel Serling (Denzel Washington) accidentally caused a friendly fire incident, a mistake that was hushed up by his superiors. Following the war, he is assigned to investigate the case of Army Captain Karen Walden (Meg Ryan), killed in action when her Medevac unit was attempting to rescue the crew of a downed helicopter. But, as Serling interviews the members of Walden's crew, he realizes their stories about the incident don't add up.

Director: Edward Zwick
Producer: John Davis, David T. Friendly, Joseph Singer
Screenwriter: Patrick Sheane Duncan
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Fox 2000 Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Action, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 12, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $59.0M
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: Surround

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