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The Dogs of War (1981)

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Average Rating: 6.4/10
Reviews Counted: 11
Fresh: 9 | Rotten: 2

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 1
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 0

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Average Rating: 3.2/5
User Ratings: 5,132

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Movie Info

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

R, 2 hr. 2 min.

Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International

Directed By: John Irvin

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1980 Wide

On DVD: Nov 20, 2001

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

The Dogs of War Trailer & Photos

Cast

Christopher Walken
Jamie Shannon
Tom Berenger
Drew
Colin Blakely
North
Hugh Millais
Endean
Paul Freeman
Derek
Jean-Fran�ois St�venin
Michel
JoBeth Williams
Jessie
Robert Urquhart
Capt. Lockhart
Winston Ntshona
Dr. Okoye
Pedro Armendariz Jr.
The Major
Harlan Cary Poe
Richard
Ed O'Neill
Terry
Isabel Grandin
Evelyn
Ernest Graves
Warner
Kelvin Thomas
Black Boy
Shane Rimmer
Dr. Oaks
Father Joseph Konrad
Priest
Bruce McLane
Shop Manager
George W. Harris
Col. Bobi
David Schofield
Endean's Man
Terence Rigby
Hackett
Tony Mathews
Bank Vice President
Christopher Asante
Geoffrey
Thomas Baptiste
Dexter
Jim Broadbent
Film Crew
William Cain
Poker Player
Erica Creer
Dinner Party Guest
Lawrence Davidson
Policeman
Kenny Ireland
Film Crew
Olu Jacobs
Customs Officer
Jean-Pierre Kalfon
Benny Lambert
Martin LaSalle
Jack Lenoir
Boucher
Christopher Malcolm
Baker
Andre Penvern
Policeman
Hugh Quarshie
Zangaron Officer
John Quentin
Party Guest
Eddie Tagoe
Jinja
Victoria Tennant
Dinner Party Guest
Ilario Bisi-Pedro
Kimba
Diana Bracho
Nun
Jose Rabelo
Hotel Clerk
Sheila Ruskin
Dinner Party Guest
Robert Berger
Poker Player

Critic Reviews for The Dogs of War

All Critics (11) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (10) | Rotten (2) | DVD (7)

Mr. Walken is unusually convincing in a difficult, hermetic kind of role.

August 30, 2004 Full Review Source: New York Times

| Comment

Vincent Canby

New York Times

Top Critic

A bonafide classic. Walken is terrific

October 26, 2008 Comment

Clint Morris

Tsunami Magazine

The Dogs of War is a guilty pleasure that is now old enough it sometimes actually pops up on Turner Classic Movies.

July 6, 2006 Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com

| Comment

Christopher Null

Filmcritic.com

This is just another weary hack job from a rootless British film industry in decline.

January 26, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

| Comment

Time Out

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.

March 19, 2003 Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com

| Comment

Brian Mckay

eFilmCritic.com

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for The Dogs of War

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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!

June 24, 2006

Khris N

Super Reviewer

Fair to above average film, good performances, especially JoBeth Williams, but it never rises much above ordinary. Well produced with a reasonably interesting story. Watchable but not particularly memorable.

July 14, 2009

James Higgins

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