12 Strong

2018 American action-war film by Nicolai Fuglsig the 1959 film The Horse Soldiers February 2026 12 Strong 12 Strong poster.jpg Theatrical release poster Nicolai Fuglsig Jerry Bruckheimer Molly Smith Thad Luckinbill Trent Luckinbill Ted Tally Peter Craig Horse Soldiers Doug Stanton Chris Hemsworth Michael Shannon Michael Peña Navid Negahban Trevante Rhodes Geoff Stults Thad Luckinbill Lorne Balfe Rasmus Videbæk Lisa Lassek Alcon Entertainmenthttps://www.varietyinsight.com/print_featurefilm_releases.php Film releases Variety Insight April 30, 2017 Black Label Media Jerry Bruckheimer Films Torridon Films Warner Bros. Pictures (United States and Canada) Lionsgate (International) 2018 01 16 Jazz at Lincoln Center 2018 01 19 United States 129 minutes United States English $35 millionhttps://www.the-numbers.com/movie/12-Strong#tab=summary 12 Strong (2018) The Numbers October 30, 2019 $71.1 million 12 Strong (also known as 12 Strong: The Declassified True Story of the Horse Soldiers) is a 2018 American action-war filmhttps://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/12-strong-2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180117062952/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/12-strong-2018 dead January 17, 2018 12 STRONG - British Board of Film Classification www.bbfc.co.uk directed by Nicolai Fuglsig and written by Ted Tally and Peter Craig. The film is based on Doug Stanton's non-fiction book Horse Soldiers, which tells the story of U.S. Army Special Forces sent to Afghanistan immediately after the September 11 attacks and up to the fall of Mazar-i-Sharif. The film stars Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, Michael Peña, Navid Negahban, Trevante Rhodes, Geoff Stults, Thad Luckinbill, Ben O'Toole, William Fichtner, and Rob Riggle. Principal photography began in January 2017 in New Mexico. The film was released in the United States on January 19, 2018, by Warner Bros. Pictures, in standard and IMAX theaters. It received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the cast and action but criticized the by-the-numbers execution and lack of insight of the War in Afghanistan.https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/12-strong-is-a-little-flimsy/ Jeff Giles 12 Strong is a Little Flimsy Rotten Tomatoes January 18, 2018 January 20, 2018 Plot Mitch Nelson, a U.S. Army captain with Green Berets Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) 595, is moving into a new home with his wife and daughter on September 11, 2001, after receiving an assignment to staff duty under Lieutenant Colonel Bowers. As news of the devastating terrorist attacks that day breaks, Nelson volunteers to lead 595 into Afghanistan. Bowers initially refuses, but veteran warrant officer Hal Spencer, previously scheduled to retire, persuades Bowers to give Nelson command of 595 again, as well as volunteering himself for the deployment. After leaving their families, 595 travels to Uzbekistan on October 7, 2001. After being briefed and evaluated by Colonel Mulholland, Commander of 5th Special Forces Group, Nelson and 595 are picked to fight alongside Northern Alliance leader Abdul Rashid Dostum. ODA 595 is inserted covertly in Afghanistan by helicopter. They land 40 miles south of Mazar-i-Sharif, the country's fourth-largest city and a longtime stronghold of the Taliban, where they meet Dostum. Six members, led by Nelson, leave with Dostum to the mountains, while the other six remain in a fortified camp nicknamed "the Alamo" under Spencer's command. Dostum is attempting to capture the northern Afghanistan city, while battling Taliban leader Mullah Razzan, who rules local communities brutally under his version of Sharia, and has murdered several people, including Dostum's family. Although the warlord is initially skeptical of Nelson's abilities, Nelson gradually earns Dostum's respect. In one battle, however, Dostum makes a tactical error, costing several casualties. Nelson accuses Dostum of acting carelessly with the lives of his men and of withholding valuable information, while Dostum retorts that he still feels that Nelson, and the U.S. are not willing to pay the potential price of the conflict, and tells Nelson that he needs to use his heart and mind to "be a warrior" instead of a soldier. The two eventually reconcile and after splitting off a three-man element under SFC Sam Diller to strike a Taliban supply route and being joined by Spencer's half of ODA 595, continue to work together. They win several victories with Dostum's leadership and manpower and American airpower, making significant progress towards Mazar-i Sharif. When Nelson informs Dostum that another ODA, 555, has been dispatched to support Atta Muhammad, another Northern Alliance leader, who is Dostum's political rival, Dostum is furious, and his men promptly abandon 595. Following Dostum's departure, Nelson plans to continue operating against the Taliban with his Americans and the few Afghan fighters remaining with them. Encountering a large force of Al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters and armored vehicles, ODA 595, rejoined by Diller and his element, uses air support to eliminate many of the fighters and most of the armor, but are discovered and attacked. Spencer is critically injured by a suicide bomber, and the team is about to be overrun under heavy Taliban and Al-Qaeda pressure when Dostum returns with his forces. Carrying out the U.S. Army's first cavalry charge of the 21st century, the American and Northern Alliance forces disperse the Taliban and al-Qaeda, and Dostum tracks down and kills Razzan. After Spencer is medevaced, Nelson and Dostum continue to Mazar-i-Sharif but find Atta Muhammad has beaten them there. Against expectations, Dostum leaves any differences with Muhammad to be settled the next day. Impressed by Nelson and the Americans' efforts, Dostum gives Nelson his prized riding crop and tells him that he will always consider Nelson a brother and fellow fighter, at the same time bidding him remember that Afghanistan is the graveyard of empires. Spencer ultimately survives, and all 12 soldiers of ODA 595 return home after 23 days of almost continuous fighting in Afghanistan. Cast Chris Hemsworth as Captain Mitch Nelson, U.S. Army Special Forces Officer and ODA 595's commander, inspired by Mark Nutsch.https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-hammer-and-the-horse-chris-hemsworth-thor-from_us_586d6249e4b0d359c42adb7f The Hammer and the Horse. Chris Hemsworth (Thor from Avengers Movies), CIA, Green Berets and Afghanistan's Most Feared Warlord Unite for Epic Movie Williams Brian Glyn January 4, 2017 Huffington Post July 8, 2019Seck Hope Hodge 2020-11-10 New Acting SecDef Is a Former 'Horse Soldier' Who Played Key Role in Afghanistan Invasion https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/11/10/new-acting-secdef-former-horse-soldier-who-played-key-role-afghanistan-invasion.html 2021-01-26 Military.com en Michael Shannon as Chief Warrant Officer Hal Spencer, a U.S. Army Special Forces Chief Warrant Officer 5 and ODA 595's assistant team leader, inspired by Bob Penningtonhttp://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/12-strong/ How accurate is the 12 Strong movie? Learn the true story and meet the real Horse Soldiers Special Forces team. 2018-01-14 History vs. Hollywood 2017-03-03 Michael Peña as Sergeant First Class Sam Diller, ODA 595's Intelligence Sergeant First Class Navid Negahban as General A. R. Dostum, a leader of the Northern Alliance and future Vice President of Afghanistan Trevante Rhodes as Sergeant First Class Ben Milo, a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant in ODA 595 William Fichtner as Colonel John F. Mulholland, Commander of 5th Special Forces Group Geoff Stults as Sean Coffers, a member of ODA 595 Thad Luckinbill as Vern Michaels, a member of ODA 595 Ben O'Toole as Scott Black, a member of ODA 595 Kenny Sheard as Sergeant First Class Bill Bennett, a member of ODA 595 Austin Stowell as Staff Sergeant Fred Falls, a member of ODA 595 Austin Hébert as Master Sergeant Pat Essex, a member of ODA 595 Jack Kesy as Charles Jones, a member of ODA 595 Kenneth Miller as Kevin Jackson, a member of ODA 595 Elsa Pataky as Jean Nelson, Mitch's wife Rob Riggle as Lt. Colonel Max Bowers, Commander of 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group Taylor Sheridan as Brian, a paramilitary field officer with the CIA's Special Activities Division who meets ODA 595 when the SOAR deliver them to Afghanistan Fahim Fazli as Khaled, a commander in Afghanistan's Northern Alliance Laith Nakli as Commander Ahmed Lal Numan Acar as Mullah Razzan Marie Wagenman as Maddie Nelson, Mitch's daughter Ali Olomi as Afghan Man Hasan Hoseini as Afghan man Production Development On December 2, 2011, it was announced that producer Jerry Bruckheimer had taken out the script by Ted Tally and rewritten by Peter Craig with Nicolai Fuglsig attached to direct, which was bought by Walt Disney Pictures in 2009 for Bruckheimer, based on Doug Stanton's non-fiction book Horse Soldiers.Fleming Mike Jr. Jerry Bruckheimer On The Pitch Circuit With Afghanistan War Tale 'Horse Soldiers' https://deadline.com/2011/12/jerry-bruckheimer-on-the-pitch-circuit-with-afghanistan-war-tale-horse-soldiers-200501/ November 15, 2016 Deadline Hollywood December 2, 2011 On March 29, 2016, Deadline Hollywood reported that Bruckheimer had officially hired Fuglsig to make his feature film directorial debut, which would be co-financed and produced by Molly Smith, Trent Luckinbill and Thad Luckinbill through Black Label Media, along with Bruckheimer's Jerry Bruckheimer Films.Jaafar Ali Jerry Bruckheimer Taps Nicolai Fuglsig To Direct Afghan War Pic 'Horse Soldiers' For Lionsgate https://deadline.com/2016/03/jerry-bruckheimer-taps-nicolai-fuglsig-to-direct-horse-soldiers-lionsgate-1201727741/ November 15, 2016 Deadline Hollywood March 29, 2016 Casting On September 30, 2016, Chris Hemsworth and Michael Shannon were cast in the film, and later on November 1, Michael Peña also joined the film.Kroll Justin Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon to Star in Afghanistan War Drama 'Horse Soldiers' https://variety.com/2016/film/news/chris-hemsworth-michael-shannon-horse-soldiers-1201875049/ November 15, 2016 Variety September 30, 2016McNary Dave AFM: Michael Pena Joins Chris Hemsworth in 'Horse Soldiers' https://variety.com/2016/film/news/afm-michael-pena-chris-hemsworth-horse-soldiers-1201906338/ November 15, 2016 Variety November 1, 2016 On November 3, 2016, Trevante Rhodes was cast in the film.Kit Borys 'Moonlight' Star Trevante Rhodes to Join Chris Hemsworth in 'Horse Soldiers' (Exclusive) https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/moonlight-star-trevante-rhodes-join-chris-hemsworth-horse-soldiers-943106 November 15, 2016 The Hollywood Reporter November 3, 2016 On November 14, 2016, Austin Stowell was cast in the film to play Staff Sergeant Fred Falls, an American soldier on the elite U.S. Special Forces team.N'Duka Amanda Austin Stowell Cast In 'Horse Soldiers'; Rahart Adams Boards 'Pacific Rim' Sequel https://deadline.com/2016/11/austin-stowell-horse-soldiers-rahart-adams-pacific-rim-2-1201854430/ November 15, 2016 Deadline Hollywood November 14, 2016 Lionsgate would handle the film's distribution. On November 15, 2016, Austin Hébert was cast to play SFC Pat Essex, the intellectual and engineer of the team, and the same day it was reported that Ben O'Toole had also been cast for an unspecified role.N'Duka Amanda 'Horse Soldiers' Recruits Austin Hébert; 'Papillon' Remake Adds Nina Senicar https://deadline.com/2016/11/horse-soldiers-austin-hebert-papillon-remake-nina-senicar-1201854914/ November 16, 2016 Deadline Hollywood November 15, 2016Kroll Justin 'Hacksaw Ridge's' Ben O'Toole Joins Chris Hemsworth in 'Horse Soldiers' (EXCLUSIVE) https://variety.com/2016/film/news/ben-otoole-horse-soldiers-chris-hemsworth-1201918860/ February 8, 2017 Variety November 15, 2016 On November 17, 2016, Variety reported that Navid Negahban was cast to play General Abdul Rashid Dostum in the film.Kroll Justin Chris Hemsworth's Afghanistan War Drama 'Horse Soldiers' Adds 'Homeland's' Navid Negahban https://variety.com/2016/film/news/chris-hemsworth-afghanistan-war-movie-horse-soldiers-navid-negahban-1201921032/ February 8, 2017 Variety November 17, 2016 Elsa Pataky was revealed to be appearing in the film in December 2016, while on February 3, 2017, Deadline Hollywood reported that Rob Riggle joined the film to play Army Lieutenant Colonel Max Bowers, under whom Riggle actually served while he was a U.S. Marine Captain.Fleming Mike Jr. Rob Riggle To Play His Former Army Commander In 'Horse Soldiers' https://deadline.com/2017/02/rob-riggle-horse-soldiers-colonel-max-bowers-afghanistan-fox-nfl-sunday-1201901697/ February 8, 2017 Deadline Hollywood February 3, 2017 Filming Principal photography began in early January 2017 in New Mexico.Symonds Kristy Hemsworth's love spills on to screen http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/chris-hemsworth-and-wife-elsa-pataky-to-star-in-horse-soldiers/news-story/40280cab917264f3df11b18c0f50cba0 February 8, 2017 Daily Telegraph December 7, 2016 Mines near Orogrande, New Mexico, were used. Later the shooting took place in Socorro, where it ended on January 26 after eight days of filming.Turner Scott Horse Soldiers to wrap up here http://www.dchieftain.com/news/horse-soldiers-to-wrap-up-here/article_eb9b8e3c-e328-11e6-b684-2f6b9f3778ec.html February 7, 2017 El Defensor Chieftain January 26, 2017 September 4, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190904181648/http://www.dchieftain.com/news/horse-soldiers-to-wrap-up-here/article_eb9b8e3c-e328-11e6-b684-2f6b9f3778ec.html deadTurner Scott Show biz booming: State pulls in film industry dollars http://www.dchieftain.com/news/show-biz-booming-state-pulls-in-film-industry-dollars/article_1eb5d16a-e8a6-11e6-b743-9b1a964034e4.html February 7, 2017 El Defensor Chieftain February 2, 2017 September 5, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190905034152/http://www.dchieftain.com/news/show-biz-booming-state-pulls-in-film-industry-dollars/article_1eb5d16a-e8a6-11e6-b743-9b1a964034e4.html dead The film was also shot in Alamogordo, using White Sands National Monument as the shooting location.'Horse Soldiers', starring Chris Hemsworth, is set to begin filming at New Mexico's White Sands National Monument, as well as at the Los Lunas Volcano in Los Lunas, from late January to early February. http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2017/01/13/horse-soldiers-starring-chris-hemsworth-set-begin-filming-new-mexicos-white-sands-national-monument/ February 7, 2017 On Location Vacations January 13, 2017 February 11, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170211235332/http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2017/01/13/horse-soldiers-starring-chris-hemsworth-set-begin-filming-new-mexicos-white-sands-national-monument/ dead"Horse Soldiers" film still searching for extras http://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/local/2017/01/06/horse-soldiers-film-still-searching-extras/96228552/ February 7, 2017 Las Cruces Sun-News January 7, 2017 The scenes involving military encampments were filmed using 20 structures leased from AKS Military, a private manufacturer of military shelters.Movies That Have Featured Alaska Defense Military Systems https://alaskadefense.com/alaska-fabric-structures-in-movies/ Alaska Defense 18 January 2018 26 January 2018 Postscript The films postscript reads as follows: "Against overwhelming odds, all twelve members of the U.S. Army Special Forces ODA 595 survived their mission. The capture of Mazar-i-Sharif by the Horse Soldiers and their counterparts is one of the US military's most stunning achievements. Military planners predicted it would take two years. Task Force Dagger did it in three weeks. Al Qaeda considers this to be their worst defeat. Because their mission was classified, the men of Special Forces ODA 595 returned home to their everyday lives with no fanfare or public acknowledgment of the near impossible mission they completed. In 2014, General Dostum became Vice President of Afghanistan. Dostum and Mitch Nelson remain close friends to this day. In 2012, to honor their extraordinary heroism, a statue of a Horse Soldier was dedicated at the World Trade Center site." Release Home media Warner Bros. Home Entertainment released 12 Strong digitally April 10, and on Blu-ray Disc and DVD May 1. Blu-ray extras include the featurettes "12 Strong: The Making of an Impossible Mission" and "Monumental Effort: Building America's Response Monument."Latchem John Warner Prepping '12 Strong' for Home Video Release https://www.mediaplaynews.com/warner-prepping-12-strong-for-home-video-release/ May 2, 2018 Media Play News March 6, 2018 Reception Box office 12 Strong grossed $45.8 million in the United States and Canada, and $25.3 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $71.1 million, against a production budget of $35 million. In the United States and Canada, 12 Strong was released on January 19, 2018, alongside Den of Thieves and Forever My Girl, as well as the wide expansions of Phantom Thread, I, Tonya and Call Me by Your Name, and was projected to gross $15–20 million from 3,002 theaters in its opening weekend.https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-movie-projector-12-strong-20180117-htmlstory.html Afghanistan war film '12 Strong' to battle 'Jumanji' reboot for top box-office spot Ryan Faughnder Los Angeles Times January 17, 2018 January 17, 2018 It ended up debuting to $15.8 million, similar to the $16.1 million that another war film 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi opened to in January 2016, and finished second at the box office behind Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. According to ComScore, 55% of the opening weekend audience was male, with 79% being over the age of 25.https://deadline.com/2018/01/den-of-thieves-12-strong-jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle-weekend-box-office-1202262795/ January Slows As 'Jumanji' Takes No. 1 For 3rd Weekend With $19M To $20M; Older Guy Pics '12 Strong' & 'Den Of Thieves' In Mid-Teens Deadline Hollywood Anthony D'Alessandro January 21, 2018 January 21, 2018 The following week dropped 45% to $8.6 million, finishing 6th at the box office.https://deadline.com/2018/01/maze-runner-death-cure-weekend-box-office-1202269925/ Fox Controls Close To 40% Of Weekend B.O. Led By 'Maze Runner' & Oscar Holdovers; 'Hostiles' Gallops Past $10M Anthony D'Alessandro Deadline Hollywood January 28, 2018 January 28, 2018 Critical response On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of score based on count reviews, and an average rating of average. The website's critical consensus reads, "12 Strong has a solid cast, honorable intentions, and a thrilling, fact-based story — all of which are occasionally enough to balance a disappointing lack of depth or nuance."https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/12_strong 12 Strong (2018) Rotten Tomatoes Fandango access date On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 54 out of 100, based on reviews from 43 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.https://www.metacritic.com/movie/12-strong 12 Strong Reviews Metacritic CBS Interactive January 20, 2018 Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale, while PostTrak reported filmgoers gave an 81% overall positive score and a 63% "definite recommend". Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film 2.5 out of 4 stars, saying, "...with a running time of two hours and 10 minutes, 12 Strong has at least 20 minutes of scenes that are either unnecessary or repetitive...[it] winds up being an almost-good film about some great American soldiers."Roeper Richard Richard Roeper January 17, 2018 The war horsemen ride to Afghanistan's rescue in cliché collection '12 Strong' https://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/the-war-horsemen-ride-to-afghanistans-rescue-in-cliche-collection-12-strong/ Chicago Sun Times January 18, 2018 Owen Gleiberman of Variety wrote: "On its own terms, the film is watchable enough, but it’s blunt and stolid and under-characterized, and at 130 minutes it plods." Gleiberman notes that the soldiers riding on horseback do not amount to much, but praises the director and cinematographer for using the New Mexico locations to conjure the landscape of Afghanistan, calling it the most impressive aspect of the film.https://variety.com/2018/film/reviews/12-strong-review-chris-hemsworth-1202666345/ Film Review: '12 Strong' Gleiberman Owen 2018-01-17 Variety en 2019-08-08 Accolades Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref(s) Reference(s) People's Choice Awards November 11, 2018 Drama Movie of 2018 12 Strong https://www.eonline.com/shows/peoples_choice_awards/news/963752/2018-people-s-choice-awards-complete-list-of-nominations 2018 People's Choice Awards: Complete List of Nominations Macke Johnni E! News September 5, 2018 December 13, 2018 Drama Movie Star of 2018 Chris Hemsworth Visual Effects Society Awards February 5, 2019 Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature Roger Nall, Robert Weaver, Mike Meinardus https://variety.com/2019/artisans/awards/visual-effects-society-nominations-avengers-infinity-war-1203108109/ 'Avengers,' 'Lost in Space,' 'Ready Player One' Lead Visual Effects Society Nominations Tapley Kristopher 2019-01-15 Variety en 2019-08-08 Related links 5th Special Forces Group America's Response Monument References External links https://web.archive.org/web/20180721113959/https://12strongmovie.com/#home#home Category:2018 films Category:2010s action war films Category:2018 American films Category:2018 action drama films Category:2018 war drama films Category:2018 English-language films Category:2018 directorial debut films Category:American IMAX films Category:American action drama films Category:American action war films Category:American films based on actual events Category:American war adventure films Category:American war drama films Category:Films about terrorism in the United States Category:Films about United States Army Special Forces Category:Films based on non-fiction books Category:Films based on the September 11 attacks Category:Films with screenplays by Peter Craig Category:Films with screenplays by Ted Tally Category:Films produced by Jerry Bruckheimer Category:Films scored by Lorne Balfe Category:Films set in 2001 Category:Films set in Afghanistan Category:Films shot in New Mexico Category:English-language action drama films Category:English-language action war films Category:English-language war drama films Category:Action drama films based on actual events Category:War drama films based on actual events Category:War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) films Category:Works about the Taliban Category:Alcon Entertainment films Category:Black Label Media films Category:Jerry Bruckheimer Films films Category:Lionsgate films Category:Warner Bros. films