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Crime drama

Casualties of War (1989): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Casualties of War (1989) movie poster

Casualties of War is a 1989 crime drama directed by Brian De Palma, starring John C. Reilly, Ving Rhames and John Leguizamo. It runs 1 hour 53 minutes and earned $18.7 million worldwide. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Music, Original Score at the Golden Globes 1990. Critics gave it 75 on Metacritic.

worldwide gross
$18.7M
award nomination
1
Metascore
75
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Casualties of War (1989) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 53m (113 min)
Director
Brian De Palma
Genres
Drama , Crime , War
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Casualties of War About?

The premise of Casualties of War without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Amidst a war zone, a family's stability unravels within the tense environment of domestic relations court. As the adults' disagreements intensify, vulnerable children are caught in a difficult battle for power, their futures irrevocably altered by the conflict and systemic failures. The experience leaves a lasting impact on everyone involved, highlighting the devastating consequences of fractured relationships and the fragility of innocence.

Casualties of War Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • rape
  • gang rape
  • wartime rape
  • female rear nudity
  • soldier
  • vietnam
  • village
  • stabbing
  • sergeant
  • year 1966
  • cruelty
  • water buffalo
+38 more
  • vietcong
  • sniper
  • scarf
  • railroad trestle
  • latrine
  • chaplain
  • chain of command
  • abduction
  • kidnapping
  • court martial
  • violence
  • san francisco california
  • based on book
  • vietnam war
  • raped by a soldier
  • extreme cruelty
  • bound and gagged
  • napalm
  • fragging
  • racism
  • murder
  • ethnic slur
  • racial slur
  • based on true story
  • gay slur
  • reference to genghis khan
  • u.s. soldier
  • u.s. military
  • army uniform
  • psychic
  • steel helmet
  • cigarette smoking
  • f word
  • world war three
  • live action
  • budweiser
  • hospital
  • shot in the neck
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Cast & crew

Casualties of War Cast

John C. Reilly leads the cast, with Ving Rhames and John Leguizamo. Directed by Brian De Palma; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Brian De Palma

More films directed by Brian De Palma, best-rated first: Blow Out, Carrie, The Untouchables and Carlito's Way.

Full filmography
Ratings

Casualties of War Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Casualties of War 75 on Metacritic.

Plot

Casualties of War Plot Summary

What happens in Casualties of War from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The story unfolds through the reflective memories of Max Eriksson, a seasoned Vietnam veteran grappling with the ghosts of his past. In a haunting flashback, we accompany Lieutenant John C. Reilly as he leads a group of American soldiers on a dangerous nighttime patrol. Their mission goes awry when an anxious comrade inadvertently exposes their location to the Viet Cong (VC). In the chaos that ensues, Sergeant Tony Meserve, portrayed by Ving Rhames, heroically saves Eriksson from a collapsing tunnel. The platoon regroups by a serene river village in the Central Highlands, where light-hearted banter temporarily shields them from the looming horrors of war.

Full summary

The whole story of Casualties of War, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Casualties of War Box Office

Casualties of War grossed $18.7 million worldwide.

1989 box office

Worldwide gross

$18.7M

US & Canada
$18.7M
Awards

Casualties of War Awards & Nominations

Casualties of War earned 1 award nomination, including Best Music, Original Score at the Golden Globes 1990.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Casualties of War Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Casualties of War.

Casualties of War (1989) Original Trailer [FHD]
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Casualties of War?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the main character haunted by his war memories?

Cars

Cars in Casualties of War

3 cars on screen, including the 1978 Mazda GLC and the 1971 Toyota Corona Mark II Hardtop.

  • 1978 Mazda GLC in Casualties of War 1978 Mazda GLC Background role
  • 1971 Toyota Corona Mark II Hardtop in Casualties of War 1971 Toyota Corona Mark II Hardtop Background role
  • 1971 Volkswagen Squareback Sedan Typ 36 in Casualties of War 1971 Volkswagen Squareback Sedan Typ 36 Background role
Details

Casualties of War Also Known As

26 alternative titles, including “Vittime di guerra” and “Outrages”.

Also known as
  • Vittime di guerra
  • Outrages
  • Corazones de hierro
  • Victimes du Viêt-Nam
  • Ofiary Wojny
  • Die Verdammten des Krieges
  • Oběti války
  • Военные потери
  • A háború áldozatai
  • Uppgörelsen
  • Απώλειες Πολέμου
  • Corações de Aço
+14 more
  • חטאי מלחמה
  • De kaldte os helte
  • Pecados de Guerra
  • Savaş Günahları
  • カジュアリティーズ
  • Жертвите на войната
  • Sodan arvet
  • 전쟁의 사상자들
  • 越战创伤
  • Karo aukos
  • Військові втрати
  • Cors de ferro
  • เดนหักเดน
  • Nạn Nhân Của Chiến Tranh

Seen Casualties of War?

FAQ

Casualties of War FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Casualties of War, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Casualties of War?

Casualties of War runs 1 hour 53 minutes (113 minutes).

When was Casualties of War released?

Casualties of War was released on August 18, 1989.

Who directed Casualties of War?

Casualties of War was directed by Brian De Palma.

More films by Brian De Palma

Who is in the cast of Casualties of War?

Casualties of War stars John C. Reilly, Ving Rhames and John Leguizamo, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Casualties of War make at the box office?

Casualties of War grossed $18.7 million worldwide.

How is Casualties of War rated?

Casualties of War has 75 on Metacritic and 72% on TMDB.

Was Casualties of War nominated for any awards?

Casualties of War received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does Casualties of War have a post-credit scene?

No. Casualties of War has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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