Tears of the Sun (2003) movie poster

Tears of the Sun (2003)

"He was trained to follow orders. He became a hero by defying them."
ThumbScore
๐Ÿ‘ 84%Google users liked it archived
Critics Score
๐ŸŽฌ 41% (RT: 34%, MC: 48) โ„น๏ธRT = Rotten Tomatoes (critic reviews). MC = Metacritic (weighted critic average). Critics Score is the average of both.
WarActionDrama

Where to Watch

Streaming
Prime Video
Rent / Buy
Google PlayFandango at Home
See all watch options on JustWatch
Director
Runtime
2h 1m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
TMDB Rating
6.9/10 (2,565 votes)
Rotten Tomatoes
34%
Metacritic
48
Cast
Bruce Willis as Lieutenant A.K. Waters
Monica Bellucci as Dr. Lena Fiore Kendricks
Cole Hauser as James 'Red' Atkins
Eamonn Walker as Ellis 'Zee' Pettigrew
Johnny Messner as Kelly Lake
Nick Chinlund as Michael 'Slo' Slowenski
Tom Skerritt as Captain Bill Rhodes
Akosua Busia as Patience
Most people think so. 84% of audiences gave it a thumbs up based on 2,565 votes. Critics scored it lower at 41%, but audiences disagreed.
Overview
Navy SEAL Lieutenant A.K. Waters and his elite squadron of tactical specialists are forced to choose between their duty and their humanity, between following orders by ignoring the conflict that surrounds them, or finding the courage to follow their conscience and protect a group of innocent refugees. When the democratic government of Nigeria collapses and the country is taken over by a ruthless military dictator, Waters, a fiercely loyal and hardened veteran is dispatched on a routine mission to retrieve a Doctors Without Borders physician. Wikipedia โ†—
Fun Facts
  • Antoine Fuqua originally wanted a completely different ending for the film, but test audiences preferred the one we see today.
  • The incredible score for Tears of the Sun was composed in just a few weeks after the original composer dropped out.
  • Before Bruce Willis was cast, several major A-list stars turned down the lead role because they felt the script was too risky.
Audience Consensus

Tears of the Sun is a 2003 war, action, drama film directed by Antoine Fuqua. Navy SEAL Lieutenant A.K. Waters and his elite squadron of tactical specialists are forced to choose between their duty and their humanity, between following orders by ignoring the conflict that surrounds them, or finding the courage to follow their conscience and protect a group of innocent refugees.

When the democratic government of Nigeria collapses and the country is taken over by a ruthless military dictator, Waters, a fiercely loyal and hardened veteran is dispatched on a routine mission to retrieve a Doctors Without Borders physician. The film has been rated by 2,565 audiences on ThumbScore, reflecting its reach and engagement with viewers. As a war film, Tears of the Sun delivers on the expectations of its genre while bringing its own distinctive perspective to the storytelling.

The production showcases the creative vision of its filmmaking team, bringing together performances, cinematography, and narrative elements that have resonated with audiences. Tears of the Sun (2003) continues to find viewers through theatrical releases, streaming platforms, and home media, maintaining its place in the contemporary entertainment landscape. The film represents the kind of cinematic experience that has attracted a dedicated audience, with viewers appreciating its approach to the story and characters it presents.

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What Reddit Thinks

r/movies
⬆ 63💬 65 comments
Tears of the Sun (2003)
Maybe its just nostalgia goggles, but I feel like this film was great, yet never talked about. I feel like its the only war film to come close to... Read on Reddit →
Top comment: "I saw this in theaters when I was 18 with a buddy of mine. We loved it (both big fans of Bruce). ..."
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