Rent 15 Minutes of War (2019)
3.2 of 5 from 87 ratings
1h 35min
- General info
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- Synopsis:
- Djibouti, 1976. Based on one of the most heroic missions ever told. A group of Somali rebels hijack a school bus carrying twenty-one French children and an American teacher (Olga Kurylenko), and drive it to no-man's-land, on the Somali border. French captain Andre Gerval (Alban Lenoir) is called to lead a team of elite snipers to secretly prepare an emergency rescue. With time running out, Gerval and his team take sole responsibility of carrying out a simultaneous five-men sniper attack to get the children and their teacher out safely. A shocking true story.
- Actors:
- Alban Lenoir, Olga Kurylenko, Sébastien Lalanne, David Murgia, Michaël Abiteboul, Guillaume Labbé, Ben Cura, Vincent Perez, Josiane Balasko, Kevin Layne, Andre Pierre, Salomé Guerreau, Yanisse Lrhorfi, Macéo Timmerman-Gabet, Nabil Azoufi, Adbeladim Mazouzi, Filippo Crine, Ali Ait Mazouz, Rhita Bastoun, Lorenzo Ozores
- Directors:
- Fred Grivois
- Producers:
- Henri Debeurme, Raphaël Rocher
- Writers:
- Ileana Epsztajn, Fred Grivois, Jérémie Guez
- Aka:
- L'intervention
- Studio:
- Signature Entertainmen
- Genres:
- Action & Adventure, Drama
- Countries:
- France
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Reviews (2) of 15 Minutes of War
Brilliant French-Belgian Film Set in 1976 with Somalis hijacking a school bus - like a French ZULU - 15 Minutes of War review by PV
I expected nothing from this film - from 2016 and I had never heard of it. But OH what a joy.
First it is a slink lean mean 90 minutes - not rolls of flab on this script, as with most Hollywood movies these days, all over 2 hours some 2 hours and a half.
Secondly, the script, scenario and acting is SO convincing, it could be now - there are clear parallels. But this is 1976, in the last French colony of Djibouti (independent the next year).
It reminded me in a way of the 1964 British classic ZULU - which made a star of Michael Caine. Maybe it is the massive battle at the end? And I must admit it was an absolute joy to see what happened to the hijackers (no spoilers). I was almost cheering!
The tension is high and not sugar-coated either, with dilemmas and jeopardy aplenty. Gallows humour of the snipers works too.
No idea how close to the truth the story is, but who cares? Like RAID ON ENTEBBE 1977 film, it shows what a basketcase Africa was then and is now.
Just some background information. Britain had Somaliland in its empire - a peaceful well-run place north of Somalia. The Italians had Somalia proper. And of course then the KGB and communists and now, China has its tentacles extended on all mineral and landrights of Africa with their amoral empire. Sadly, things are much worse now than in 1976.
Highly recommended, 4.5 stars rounded up., A HIDDEN GEM.
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Taught thriller - 15 Minutes of War review by AB
I had not heard of this scenario (albeit the film is 'based on true events') but the film is very good at relaying what the whole situation was and what could be (including the normal prevarication of politicians). You *knew* what was coming but even then the resulting firefight was so one-sided as to be embarrassing. Some humour in the film, some anti-authority in the men of the GIGN, but also some pathos when the outcome comes to an end. If even half of the detailed events are true, it is what these sort of men are trained for and it makes me feel a bit safer knowing that they are capable of helping. Acting was good, effects worth their salt. Had to look it up but I didn't know that Olga Kurylenko was fluent in French - thought that she had a fantastic linguistic teacher for the part! Recommended to watch
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