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Elijah Wood, Kevin Costner, Mare Winningham, Lexi Randall, Christine Baranski ... see more see more... , Raynor Scheine , Bruce A. Young , LaToya Chisholm , Charlotte Lewis , Gary Basaraba , Jay Brooks , Bill Coates , Dorothy Davis , Tom Even , J. Don Ferguson , Afemo Omilami , Mary Nell Santacroce , Nick Searcy , Tim Ware , Debra Zane , Judson Vaughn , Lucas Black , Adam Henderson , Brennan Gallagher , Christopher Fennell , Donald Sellers , Leon Sills , Will West

Jon Avnet's The War is set in the rural south and brimming with lessons on social consciousness, much like his previous effort, Fried Green Tomatoes (1991). During the summer of 1970 in backwoods Miss... read more read more...issippi, Stephen Simmons (Kevin Costner) is struggling to be a breadwinner for his family while still suffering post-traumatic stress disorder from his service in the Vietnam War. His wife Lois (Mare Winningham) provides most of the family income. Stephen gets a job in a mine and saves a friend who has been injured, helping him erase his guilt over abandoning another friend during a firefight in Vietnam. Meanwhile, the Simmons children, Stu (Elijah Wood) and Lidia (Lexi Randall) are feuding with an even poorer family of neighbors, the Lipnickis, over access to a tree fort that Stu and Lidia built. Mr. Lipnicki (Raynor Scheine) is drunken and abusive and helps escalate the disagreement into a major battle for the fort. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

Flixster Users

69% liked it

16,816 ratings

Critics

27% liked it

15 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 6 min.

Directed by: John Avnet, Jon Avnet

Release Date: November 4, 1994

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DVD Release Date: April 13, 1999

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Stats: 595 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (595)

  • ScoopOnline
    December 15, 2009
    ScoopOnline
    Was is it worth fighting for?
  • movieguru12
    November 22, 2009
    movieguru12
    A movie that is warm, touching, and funny at the same time. Another great Kevin Costner film. :)
  • FilmFanatik
    November 20, 2008
    FilmFanatik
    This was great movie.
  • Tss807
    April 25, 2008
    Tss807
    One of the best movies I have ever seen! Everyone should see this movie.
  • ileo
    January 1, 2008
    ileo
    A favorite. Great!
  • ilive4discus
    March 16, 2006
    ilive4discus
    Wood is amazing!
  • thespiderwebcoveredcorner
    May 29, 2010
    thespiderwebcoveredcorner
    this movie makes me so sad sometimes but it helps me realize the things that are worth fighting for.
  • SnowEater12
    June 27, 2008
    SnowEater12
    I loved this film. The acting was terrific! (My compliments to Costner and Wood) It tore at my heart in some parts which just comes with good directing, and in the end gave me a sense of 'the simple life'.
  • wolf122girl
    May 14, 2008
    wolf122girl
    An awsume movie even thuogh i didn't get to see a sertain part of it. The movie rocked. But the end is a sad happy one.
  • terryc1000
    January 14, 2008
    terryc1000
    If you enjoyed "Stand by me"You will like this one. Nice narration into yesteryear set in 1970 during the Vietnam War. A soldier comes home and has a hard time providing for his family. Pulls at your heart strings.

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Critic Reviews

James Sanford
January 23, 2004
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette

Pretentious drivel

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
February 13, 2002
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

Presents the efforts of a father to teach his children the ideals he believes give life meaning and purpose. Full Review

Brian Lowry
June 13, 2007
Brian Lowry, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Peter Travers
August 26, 2002
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

No review available.

April 12, 2002
Globe and Mail

Click to read the article Full Review

Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

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November 4, 1994
Entertainment Weekly

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Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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The War Trivia

  • who played on THE CAT IN THE HAT, MAN ON FIRE, DREAMER, WAR OF THE WORLDS ?  Answer »
  • He went to war with the Germans and Vietnamese, worked for the FBI, lived in an airport and worked for the mob?  Answer »
  • who is the girl that went to war and fought for her father?  Answer »
  • What film have Angels come to earth to find an evil soul that can end the war in Heaven?  Answer »
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