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| Charlie Wilson's War (Widescreen) | 
 enlarge | Director: Mike Nichols
Actors: Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Ned Beatty
Studio: Universal Studios
Category: DVD
List Price: $29.98
Buy New: $4.98
You Save: $25.00 (83%)
Buy New/Used/Collectible from $3.95
Avg. Customer Rating:  (133 reviews)
Sales Rank: 410
Format: Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: Arabic (Original Language), English (Original Language), Russian (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), French (Dubbed), Spanish (Dubbed)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD
Running Time: 102 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.6
MPN: MCAD61100566D
UPC: 025195004848
EAN: 0025195004848
ASIN: B0013XZ2QK
Release Date: April 22, 2008
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 entertaining and illuminating August 14, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
It's ironic that I watched this movie about the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan at a time when a resurgent and newly aggressive Russia is crushing a fledgling democracy in Georgia. It made the experience all the more poignant.
Just taken as entertainment, and leaving aside the politics, I enjoyed this story of how an obscure Texas congressman known mostly for his womanizing managed to fund the Islamic resistance to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The performances were great with the one exception of the heavily-Botoxed Robert. The pace was also quite brilliant -- this movie flashed by.
Of course, the consequences for the United States are well-known and the movie alludes to this in its final few minutes. We defeated the Soviets, won the Cold War but our victory helped give birth to the Taliban and al Qaeda.
I wonder if there's a new Charlie Wilson out there to deal with today's Russian threat. Or have we lost so much in the past five years in Iraq that we no longer have the means, the will or the energy?
Recommended: entertaining and educational.
 History better than Hollywood August 11, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
It really is a fascinating story ... One man sees the opportunity to do what his government won't... arm/train a group of militants to fight an enemy who did the same to us for more than a decade in South East Asia. And in doing so handed the U.S.S.R its worst military defeat.
Why we needed so much sex to sell this story, I don't know.
 15 minutes are missing from this DVD August 10, 2008
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
Having seen this film in the theater, I was very disappointed to discover several scenes were cut from the DVD version, including one crucial one. The most crucial cut concerned the fact that President Reagan's approval was what released the Stinger missile to the Afghans.
Also cut were scenes: Charlie Wilson was sick in the Hospital; his re-elction effort; testing an ineffective missile in Egypt; any more? Anybody know why?
(I also suspect that The Princess Bride now currently shown is missing an early scene that was in the theater version, but I can't confirm this.)
I really enjoyed Julia Roberts' performance August 10, 2008
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
I really enjoyed Julia Roberts' performance. Overall, this movie is interesting, funny, sharp, and again relevant to the world today.
An entertaining movie that doesn't get into the politics August 8, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Charlie Wilson's War is about a womanizing, hard drinking congressman who is a liberal democrat but stays conservative enough to continue to be elected. Through his positions on House subcommittees, Charlie Wilson (Tom Hanks) has the power to authorize funding to the CIA for covert operations. It was a dark time in America with the economy flailing and cold-war nemesis USSR having just invaded Afghanistan. Wilson becomes concerned that nothing is being done to fight the Russians. Through the help of wealthy Joanne Herring (Julia Roberts), Wilson becomes convinced he has to do something. He teams up with Gust Avrakotos (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) to devise a plan to funnell arms and funding to Afghanistan so no one will know the Americans are doing it.
Director Mike Nichols has crafted a slick movie. It tells a simple story and goes by quickly. While it has tones of being a drama, this really is a comedy. You never get to know who Wilson really is, other than a man who only hires beautiful women to be on his staff and, when he isn't in Congress, is looking for the next good time. Hoffman received awards and accolates for his performance as the foul-mouthed CIA agent. He was amusing, but to me gave a one note performance. Also, his character seemed hidden behind the bushy mustache and the gaudy sunglasses the entire time. Hanks as Wilson and Roberts are fine, but their southern Texas accents don't ring true.
Regardless of your politics, I'd recommend this movie. The movie is one thing, the politics surrounding it are an entire different monster. Thankfully, the film doesn't go out of its way to make a political statement. That would have damaged the movie. Many people may forget just how hated and feared the Soviet Union was back in the 1980s. In hindsight, its obvious to see that America's actions in Afghanistan in the 1980s have played a part in the current world situation regarding terrorism.
Many were responsible for ending the cold war and Charlie Wilson played a part, maybe a big part, maybe a small, but that doesn't matter. The movie tells his story. While hinting at the broader implications of Wilson's actions, the movie thankfully sticks to trying to entertain, and it does a very good job.
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