Two U.S. Marines in World War II are assigned to protect Navajo Marines, who use their native language as an unbreakable radio cypher.Two U.S. Marines in World War II are assigned to protect Navajo Marines, who use their native language as an unbreakable radio cypher.Two U.S. Marines in World War II are assigned to protect Navajo Marines, who use their native language as an unbreakable radio cypher.
- Awards
- 3 wins & 6 nominations
Clayton J. Barber
- Hasby
- (as Clayton Barber)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWeapons coordinator Robert "Rock" Galotti amassed over 500 vintage World War II-era firing weapons and 700 rubber replica weapons for the film from private collectors and prop houses. Also featured moving across battlefields are vintage Sherman tanks, their smaller Stuart brethren, and Japanese Hago tanks.
- GoofsThere is a 50-star US flag (instead of 48) at the Navajo enlistment ceremony.
- Quotes
Private Ben Yahzee: Radio Man:
[to Private Ben Yahzee]
Private Ben Yahzee: Remember Marine, ours is not to question why, ours is but to do or die. Semper Fi. Over
- Alternate versionsA few scenes and lines of dialouge were either altered or missing from the finished film. An early scene of Joe and a nurse in their car on the beach has them two talking about the world being a pretty place and joe says it's not. Another scene of Joe and Yazi talking. Joe asks "seen any combat?" Yazi answers "No, but i am looking forward to getting into some" There are a few other small lines of dialouge that was left out. These were most likely cut because of pacing.
Featured review
Giving a 6 out of respect for the story, the movie itself is Hollywood idiocy that rates more like a 4...
I finally watched this movie, it long caught my interest but fell of my radar for years. I do recommend watching this movie--at least until some independent filmmakers (or streaming studio) makes a worthy version of this story. The story is incredible. As an high-tech engineer, I am blown away by the fact that the human brain and unusual language was able to solve a real-time encryption problem decades ahead of any possible other technology. Sure, machines like enigma could be used, but, that is a heavy and vulnerable asset to drag around on the front lines. Really heroic story, and even more moving given the lack of respect shown to native Americans since the European invasion of their homelands.
Incredible human drama. Great performances by the lead Navajo actors. Cage was his usual fantastic self, despite the flimsy lines he was given. The rest of the movie was---meh. Typical Hollywood narcissism. Spend most of the budget blowing things up and sending people careening in all directions in bits and pieces. Zero depth to any other characters, including the Japanese, who were little more than animated cardboard cutouts screaming and shooting. This movie should be a poster child for the imminent demise of the Hollywood glory days, following in the path of cable TV as they chase each other down in a great swirling flush. The best thing about the streaming media revolution is that it busted up the Hollywood empires, and with that I have hope in a retelling of this story by more intelligent, skilled hands.
Incredible human drama. Great performances by the lead Navajo actors. Cage was his usual fantastic self, despite the flimsy lines he was given. The rest of the movie was---meh. Typical Hollywood narcissism. Spend most of the budget blowing things up and sending people careening in all directions in bits and pieces. Zero depth to any other characters, including the Japanese, who were little more than animated cardboard cutouts screaming and shooting. This movie should be a poster child for the imminent demise of the Hollywood glory days, following in the path of cable TV as they chase each other down in a great swirling flush. The best thing about the streaming media revolution is that it busted up the Hollywood empires, and with that I have hope in a retelling of this story by more intelligent, skilled hands.
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Wind Talkers
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $115,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $40,914,068
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $14,520,412
- Jun 16, 2002
- Gross worldwide
- $77,628,265
- Runtime2 hours 14 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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