Release Date: 1/30/2007 Original Release: 2002 Format: DVD Length: 153 minutes Rating:R (MPAA) Rating Reason: pervasive graphic war violence, and language UPC: 027616144003 Studio: MGM Home Entertainment
WINDTALKERS begins quietly--with widescreen aerial shots of clouds that gradually clear to reveal the beautiful mesas of Monument Valley. A bus collects Navajo volunteers Ben Yahzee (Adam Beach) and Charlie Whitehorse (Roger Willie). It's 1943, and the U.S. has developed an indecipherable secret military code based on the Navajo language. Yahzee and Whitehorse are to be trained as code talkers.
Then John Woo's Pacific war film erupts into violence, with a savage battle that has one survivor, Joe Enders (Nicolas Cage). Badly wounded and feeling guilty at the loss of his companions, Joe recuperates in Hawaii where he is helped by a sympathetic nurse (Frances O'Connor). Joe disguises his hearing loss and he is promoted as Yahzee's battlefield bodyguard. Ordered to "protect the code at all times," Joe must prevent Yahzee from being captured. At first, Yahzee and Whitehorse, whose bodyguard is Ox Henderson (Christian Slater), are subjected to prejudice--particularly from Rogers (Noah Emmerich). But when the unit is shipped to Saipan, the Marines begin to appreciate the code talkers.
Director Woo has created a powerful drama. The visceral battle sequences are strikingly filmed and there is fine acting from Cage, Beach, Willie, Slater, Emmerich, and Frances O'Connor, who portrays the poignancy of love in uncertain times.
DVD Features
Director's Cut Full Frame - 1.33 Widescreen - 2.39 Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 - English, Spanish Stereo Surround - French Subtitles - English, French, Spanish - Optional
Related Items
People who purchased Windtalkers Director's Cut DVD also purchased:
When it comes to the Navajo Code Talkers, I think they deserve a little more respect then they got in 'Windtalkers'. All John Woo did was take this story, blend it all in with WWII and delivered a... Read the whole review at MatchFlick
Posted on June 29, 2007
Reviewed by: Movie Addict
John Woo (The Killer, Hard Boiled) has finally made "A John Woo Movie" in Hollywood. Finally, hyper-kinetic action and overwrought crises of friendship and conscience in a Hollywood movie. Nicolas... Read the whole review at MatchFlick
Posted on January 1, 2008
