Back to trending
A Private War

A Private War

Drama · War · 2018

One of the most celebrated war correspondents of our time, Marie Colvin is an utterly fearless and rebellious spirit, driven to the frontlines of conflicts across the globe to give voice to the voiceless.

Movie details

A Private War

“The most powerful weapon is the truth.”

2018 Drama · War 1h 46m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.8 / 10

Community rating

One of the most celebrated war correspondents of our time, Marie Colvin is an utterly fearless and rebellious spirit, driven to the frontlines of conflicts across the globe to give voice to the voiceless.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over A Private War?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

Live from Baghdad

Live from Baghdad

Drama · 2002

A group of CNN reporters venture to the Iraqi capital to cover the Gulf War.

Thank You for Your Service

Thank You for Your Service

Drama · 2017

A group of U.S. soldiers returning from Iraq struggle to integrate back into family and civilian life, while living with the memory of a war that threatens to destroy them long after they've left the battlefield.

Jacknife

Jacknife

Drama · 1989

A conflict develops between a troubled Vietnam veteran and the sister he lives with when she becomes involved romantically with the army buddy who reminds him of the tragic battle they both survived.

Stop-Loss

Stop-Loss

Drama · 2008

A veteran soldier returns from his completed tour of duty in Iraq, only to find his life turned upside down when he is arbitrarily ordered to return to field duty by the Army.

Welcome to Sarajevo

Welcome to Sarajevo

War · 1997

Follow a group of international journalists into the heart of the once cosmopolitan city of Sarajevo—now a danger zone of sniper and mortar attacks where residents still live. While reporting on an American aid worker who’s trying to get children out of the country, a British correspondent decides to take an orphaned girl home to London.

Redacted

Redacted

War · 2007

A fictional documentary discusses the effects the Iraq war has had on soldiers and local people through interviews with members of an American military unit, the media, and local Iraqis.

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk

Drama · 2016

19-year-old Billy Lynn is brought home for a victory tour after a harrowing Iraq battle. Through flashbacks the film shows what really happened to his squad – contrasting the realities of war with America's perceptions.

Savior

Savior

History · 1998

A hardened mercenary in the Foreign Legion begins to find his own humanity when confronted with atrocities during the fighting in Bosnia.

The Killing Fields

The Killing Fields

Drama · 1984

New York Times reporter Sydney Schanberg is on assignment covering the Cambodian Civil War, with the help of local interpreter Dith Pran and American photojournalist Al Rockoff. When the U.S. Army pulls out amid escalating violence, Schanberg makes exit arrangements for Pran and his family. Pran, however, tells Schanberg he intends to stay in Cambodia to help cover the unfolding story — a decision he may regret as the Khmer Rouge rebels move in.

Full Metal Jacket

Full Metal Jacket

Drama · 1987

A pragmatic U.S. Marine observes the dehumanizing effects the U.S.-Vietnam War has on his fellow recruits from their brutal boot camp training to the bloody street fighting in Hue.

Where it lives

Watch in your region.

Cinema release signals and current streaming, rental, and purchase options for your region.

Streaming availability data supplied by JustWatch.

Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Matthew Heineman

Written by

Arash Amel

Rosamund Pike

Rosamund Pike

Marie Colvin

Jamie Dornan

Jamie Dornan

Paul Conroy

Tom Hollander

Tom Hollander

Sean Ryan

Stanley Tucci

Stanley Tucci

Tony Shaw

Corey Johnson

Corey Johnson

Norm Coburn

Greg Wise

Greg Wise

Professor David Irens

Faye Marsay

Faye Marsay

Kate Richardson

Court is in session

Put A Private War on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.