Parents' Guide to

Courage Under Fire

By Charles Cassady Jr., Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Military drama deploys plenty of violence, swearing.

Movie R 1996 117 minutes
Courage Under Fire Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 2+

Based on 1 parent review

Johny123
Johny123 Adult
January 27, 2019
age 2+

Have to see

See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

COURAGE UNDER FIRE takes place during "Operation Desert Storm" against Saddam Hussein's Iraq during the first Gulf War (historical background isn't downloaded in detail, but isn't absolutely essential). Nathaniel Serling (Denzel Washington) is in command during a tank battle in which US guns accidentally mow down their own troops. With that shadow over him, the guilt-ridden officer gets a potential career-mending assignment: to approve the official report on war heroine Capt. Karen Walden (Meg Ryan), killed in action after a brilliant helicopter rescue of another unit under siege from Iraqis. As the first female American officer up for a Congressional Medal of Honor, it's a PR coup for the Pentagon -- but as Serling finds inconsistencies in the survivor's testimonies, he locks horns with his own superiors to learn the awful truth of what really happened to Capt. Walden in the heat of battle.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

On the positive side, this sturdy drama has no obvious political agenda, which is refreshing for a Hollywood film. Nonetheless, there's a mildly by-the-numbers feel, kind of like a deluxe JAG or NCIS episode, as Serling bravely digs for the truth, no matter what. He's so idealized that even his flaws of heavy drinking and a possible "friendly fire" tragedy barely tarnish his halo.

In an interesting gambit, probably from the much-imitated Japanese drama Rashomon, we see Capt. Walden in different POVs, from a John Wayne-level roughneck to a terrified girl in over her head. The different viewpoints could spark an interesting discussion about women's roles in the military.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the decisions the characters make. What would viewers have done in Serling's place? What about the pinned-down, panicked soldiers?

  • The concept of women in the American Armed Forces is still fairly new and took a long time to become instituted. Ask young viewers if they consider female soldiers to be a touchy issue or not.

  • Inform viewers too young to remember about "Operation Desert Storm" and Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait. Could what is shown in Courage Under Fire have taken place in other wars? Why or why not?

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