5 Days Of War (2011)
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Cast
as Thomas Anders
as Sebastian Ganz
as Tatia Khetaguri
as Miriam Eisner
as Captain Rezo Avaliani
as Colonel Alexandr Demidov
as Daniil
as Daniil
as Anton Khetaguri
as Sopho Medoevi
as Karin Lange
as Zoe
as Michael Stilton
as Chris Bailot
as President Mikheil Saakashvil
as Laurens 'Dutchman' Roemer
as Minister Temur Iakobashvili
as Minister David Kezerashvili
as Minister Alexandre Lomaia
as Major Lavrin
as Daniil's Man #1
as Daniil's Man #2
as Georgian Lieutenant
as Inn Keeper
as Inn Keeper's Wife
as Inn Keeper's Infant
as Inn Keeper's Baby
as Village Man
as Woman Shot in Knees
as Woman Shot in Knees
as Militia Boy
as Waitress
as Giorgi The Guide
as Priest
as Iraqi Taxi Driver
as Lasha Tsagareli
as Georgian Lieutenant
as Georgian Captain
as Georgian Captain
as Priest
as Satellite Van Tech Jameson
as Oldest Militia Boy
as Oldest Militia Boy
as Disabled Woman
as Disabled Man
as Rezo's Soldier
as Chief of Police
as Mayor
as Older Village Woman
as Young Village Girl
as Girl in Church
as Wedding Singer
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Critic Reviews for 5 Days Of War
All Critics (34) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (11) | Rotten (23)
An action movie scarcely deeper than a Michael Bay extravaganza.
Harlin's film begins with the familiar adage that truth is the first casualty of war. Usually that phrase precedes an attempt to revive the patient, not bury it deeper in the rubble of propaganda.
The plot is culled from a variety of "war is hell but I'm covering it anyway" journalist-in-the-field movies but handled with clichéd clumsiness in a script by David Battle and doctored by Finnish writer Mikko Alanne.
Flimsy dramatization of Russia/Georgia conflict fails both as historical re-enactment and as action-flick thrill ride.
As propaganda, 5 Days Of War is unlikely to make a mark, though perhaps the idea of reaching people through would-be blockbusters will.
Harlin's roots show throughout the picture, as he films real-life horrors with a bombast better suited to summer entertainment.
Audience Reviews for 5 Days Of War
Unfortunately the Georgians have only this movie to provide a fictional account of the Russian invasion of their territory. It is a Michael Bay treatment which removes most of the gravity of the actual situation. A shame.
Super Reviewer
As, unfortunately, is often the case with realistic-ish war movies, particularly those based on actual events, is that real life is just not all that interesting. I found myself thinking that it had run its course, then realising that there was still 40 minutes of runtime remaining. It's rare for me to ever say that a film could use some condensing, but in 5 Days of War I have found such an overly-long piece. The events of the film, which covers the Russia-Georgia War in the 2008 Battle of Gori, are remarkably biased in favour of the Georgians, portraying them as innocent bystanders in the South Ossetian events, and Russians as bloodthirsty thieves, rapists and murderers. Val Kilmer makes for a surprisingly pleasant addition, and primary Russian villain, Mercenary Daniil, makes for a moderate badass, but nobody else is really much of a crowd pleaser. Most saddening though is the fact that 5 Days of War just plain doesn't bring anything new to the table. I'm always keen to get behind work involving British actor Richard Coyle (Franklyn, Outpost: Black Sun, Coupling), but I'm afraid this one just has no true positive aspect. Instead, it lingers somewhere in the realm of "tolerable". It's strange for a film so laden with military action to manage feel so stagnant. 30% -Gimly
Super Reviewer
In "5 Days of War," Thomas Anders(Rupert Friend), a journalist, gets a tip from the Dutchman(Val Kilmer), a colleague, about an upcoming Russian invasion of Georgia. Bringing along his photographer, Sebastian Ganz(Richard Coyle), Anders hooks up with Rezo(Johnathon Schaech), a contact in the Georgian army who saved his bacon back in Iraq. After which, they take in a wedding which is bombarded by Russian forces and then follow that up by accompanying Tatia(Emmanuelle Chriqui) north into the path of danger in search of her missing family. Since "5 Days of War" is based on actual events, one might think the best route would have been a documentary. After seeing the havoc that director Renny Harlin wrecks with the material by almost turning it into an action movie at times, one would have definite cause to be correct. And to no one's surprise, the rest of it is not exactly subtle. While I am on the film's side in praising the heroics of war reporters in bringing news to light, especially in a conflict like this where Putin is not as heavily criticized as he should be, I think the movie's two main points are incorrect. One, I did read about Georgia being invaded in the newspaper, so obviously people did care. Two, the United States would not get involved because it did not want to cause World War III unduly, although comparing invasions would have been provocative to say the least. Otherwise, Richard Coyle hits the right gonzo notes and there is one great scene involving Rade Serbedzija and a chessboard that summarizes everything nicely.
Super Reviewer
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