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WINDTALKERS (2002) |
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MORGAN'S RATING |
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| During WWII, the Navajo language was used for decoding top secret messages because it was a code that the Japanese did not have the resources (like Navajo speakers) to break. This movie plays upon the scenario that they might have tried to do something about that by kidnapping Navajo soldiers, such as Carl Yahzee. The military was aware of the danger to the Navajo soldiers, so they assigned a marine, Joe Enders, to each as bodyguard, with the orders that if capture appears imminent, the Marine should kill the Navajo soldier as well. This movie is about two such soldiers who find themselves in danger; and at odds because they have all become friends. |
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| Nicolas Cage (Sgt. Joe Enders), Adam Beach (Pvt. Ben Yahzee), Peter Stormare (Gunnery Sgt. Hjelmstad), Noah Emmerich (Pvt. Chick), Mark Ruffalo (Pvt. Pappas), Brian Van Holt (Pvt. Harrigan), Martin Henderson (Nellie), Roger Willie (Pvt. Charlie Whitehorse), Frances O'Connor (Rita), Christian Slater (Sgt. Ox Henderson), Jason Isaacs (Maj. Mellitz), Billy Morts (Fortino), Cameron Thor (Mertens), Kevin Cooney (Ear Doctor), Holmes Osborne (Col. Hollings), Keith Campbell (Kittring), Clayton J. Barer (Hasby), Scott Atkinson (Camp Tarawa Staff Sergeant), Jeremy Davidson (Marine), Brian Maynard (Corpsman), Albert Smith (Navajo Man), James D. Dever (Field Hospital Colonel), Vincent Whipple (Navajo Instructor), James Morse (Marine Recruit), Chris Devlin (Sgt. Code Instructor), Jeff Davis (Tech Sgt.), Glen Begay (Radio Codetalker), Ross Lasi Tanoai (Eddie the Bartender). |
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CODE WAS THEIR HONOR. |
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PRODUCTION INFORMATION |
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DIRECTOR: John Woo (Paycheck).
WRITERS: John Rice and Joe Batteer.
PRODUCERS: Terence Chang, John Woo, Tracie Graham-Rice and Alison R. Rosenzweig.
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: Stephen Traxler.
CO-PRODUCERS: Arthur Anderson and Caroline Macaulay.
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: C.O. Erickson.
LINE PRODUCERS: John J. Smith and Richard Stenta.
ORIGINAL MUSIC: James Horner.
DISTRIBUTOR: MGM |
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QUOTES |
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Battleship Codetalker: Is it English? It sounds like they're talking under water. |
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Joe Enders: What a magical heap of Navajo horseshit! |
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Sgt. Ryan 'Ox' Anderson: Ow! Just kidding. |
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Joe Enders: Yeah...I'm a good fucking marine, that's why they gave me this detail. |
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[After Joe takes Yazi's food.]
Charlie Whitehorse: How's your whiteman?
Yahzee: Hungry. |
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FACTS |
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RELEASE DATE: June 14th, 2002 (USA)
DVD RELEASE DATE: October 15th, 2002 (USA)
BOX OFFICE OPENING: $14.5 million (USA)
BOX OFFICE RESULT: $40.9 million (USA)
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $74.9 million
BUDGET: $115 million (USA)
SHOOTING DATES: August 2000 -- February 2001
- To add authenticity, MGM bought some genuine WWII-vintage radios from Samuel H. Hevener, a collector from Ohio. |
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QUOTES |
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"I kept wishing I was watching a documentary about the wartime Navajos and what they accomplished instead of all this specious Hollywood hoo-ha." -- Peter Rainer, New York Magazine |
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"The code breakers deserved better than a hollow tribute." -- Peter Travers, Rolling Stone |
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"No amount of burning, blasting, stabbing, and shooting can hide a weak script." -- Paul Tatara, CNN |
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