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Tears of the Sun

Play trailer Poster for Tears of the Sun R 2003 2h 11m Action Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
34% Tomatometer 154 Reviews 69% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
The Nigerian government has fallen, and the country is on the verge of civil war. Lt. A.K. Waters (Bruce Willis) has been assigned to lead a team of soldiers into the Nigerian jungle to rescue Dr. Lena Kendricks (Monica Bellucci). When Waters and his team locate Kendricks, she tells them she won't leave her helpless patients to be slaughtered by rebels. The team incurs the wrath of both U.S. and Nigerian forces when they side with Kendricks and attempt to march the refugees to safety.

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Tears of the Sun

Tears of the Sun

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Critics Consensus

Tries to be high-minded, but in the end, it's just a stylish action movie.

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Critics Reviews

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Namrata Joshi Outlook 01/04/2019
1/4
For me, Tears of the Sun is all about how easy it can be to make a film on the perceived brutalities of another man, easier still to turn it into a crashing bore of a film! Go to Full Review David Ansen Newsweek 03/09/2018
The movie's noble aspirations are clear--Bosnia and Rwanda were obviously on the filmmakers' minds--yet it's hopelessly steeped in stale Hollywood action conventions. Go to Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media 12/28/2010
1/5
Shamelessly one-sided with cheesy wooden dialogue. Go to Full Review Mark Steyn The Spectator 02/01/2018
It has a rare attention to detail and a strong sense of place. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 03/19/2013
C
Joe Lozito Big Picture Big Sound 12/27/2007
2/4
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Audience Reviews

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Ashlee K. @LoveNoir 14h Bruce Willis has a very stoic, yet heartfelt performance. I do think I could have done away with some of the intensely violent scenes. What captivated me most is the connection I felt between the people. I highly recommend this for older audiences, but it does expose some of the worst pieces of war. See more Jeff H @Jethro71 Mar 14 Excellent movie & cast. Truly showed how the entire group grew to care for each other and die for each other. A Sadly happy ending/ not so happy ending. See more stefan C @RT89536469 Jan 27 Never watch the critic reviews Yes it another american hero story bud not a bad one great acting and sad shocking story. See more Yehia A @Yehiaaziz25 Dec 21 This is by far one of the best wartime/military movies out there and it’s 2025. Thank me later See more Josh R @RT72066988 Nov 19 Tears of the Sun is a really well done United States military action movie. Bruce Willis and the rest of the cast put on a great performance in it. I definitely recommend people watch this movie. It's sad that in 2025 evil Nigerians are still killing Christian Nigerians and the UN doesn't want to get involved. See more Taylor B @bigfishjuan Sep 30 So cliche'd, it feels more like an unfunny version of Tropic Thunder than the inspiring action film it clearly intended to be. See more Read all reviews
Tears of the Sun

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Cast & Crew

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Antoine Fuqua

Director

Bruce Willis

Lt. A.K. Waters

Monica Bellucci

Dr. Lena Kendricks

Cole Hauser

James "Red" Atkins

Eamonn Walker

Ellis "Zee" Pettigrew

Johnny Messner

Kelly Lake

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Tears of the Sun

Bruce Willis stars as Navy SEAL Lieutenant A.K. Waters in Revolution Studios' exciting action adventure Tears of the Sun, a Columbia Pictures release. Bruce Willis stars as Navy SEAL Lieutenant A.K. Waters in Revolution Studios' exciting action adventure Tears of the Sun, a Columbia Pictures release. Bruce Willis stars as Navy SEAL Lieutenant A.K. Waters in Revolution Studios' exciting action adventure Tears of the Sun, a Columbia Pictures release. (l to r) Bruce Willis and Monica Bellucci star as Navy SEAL Lieutenant A.K. Waters and Dr. Lena Kendricks in Revolution Studios' epic action adventure Tears of the Sun, a Columbia Pictures release. A scene from Revolution Studios' exciting action adventure Tears of the Sun, a Columbia Pictures release. A scene from Revolution Studios' exciting action adventure Tears of the Sun, a Columbia Pictures release. A scene from Revolution Studios' exciting action adventure Tears of the Sun, a Columbia Pictures release. Dr. Kendricks (Bellucci) refuses to be airlifted out of western Africa until she helps escort a group of locals including Musa (Awaovieyi) & Patience (Busia) to political asylum at a nearby border. Antoine Fuqua, director of Revolution Studios' action adventure Tears of the Sun, a Columbia Pictures release. (l to r) Bruce Willis chats with director Antoine Fuqua on the set of Revolution Studios' action adventure Tears of the Sun, a Columbia Pictures release. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis The Nigerian government has fallen, and the country is on the verge of civil war. Lt. A.K. Waters (Bruce Willis) has been assigned to lead a team of soldiers into the Nigerian jungle to rescue Dr. Lena Kendricks (Monica Bellucci). When Waters and his team locate Kendricks, she tells them she won't leave her helpless patients to be slaughtered by rebels. The team incurs the wrath of both U.S. and Nigerian forces when they side with Kendricks and attempt to march the refugees to safety.
Director
Antoine Fuqua
Producer
Mike Lobell, Arnold Rifkin, Ian Bryce
Screenwriter
Alex Lasker, Patrick Cirillo
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Revolution Studios
Rating
R (Some Brutality|Language|Strong War Violence)
Genre
Action, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 7, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 25, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA)
$43.4M
Runtime
2h 11m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital, Dolby SR, SDDS, Dolby Stereo, DTS, Surround, Dolby A
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)