12 Strong: The True Story of Horse Soldiers
Movie Overview
12 Strong is a 2018 American war drama film directed by Nicolai Fuglsig and written by Ted Tally and Peter Craig. The film is based on the non-fiction book "Horse Soldiers: The Extraordinary Story of a Band of U.S. Soldiers Who Rode into Afghanistan after 9/11 and Defeated the Taliban" by Doug Stanton.
The True Story
The film tells the true story of the first U.S. Special Forces team to be sent to Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks. The team, known as Operational Detachment Alpha 595 (ODA 595), consisted of 12 U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers who were tasked with defeating the Taliban and their Al-Qaeda allies.
Led by Captain Mitch Nelson (played by Chris Hemsworth), the team was sent to Afghanistan in October 2001, just weeks after the 9/11 attacks. With the help of the Northern Alliance, a group of Afghan fighters, the team was able to defeat the Taliban and capture the city of Mazar-i-Sharif.
The Horse Soldiers
The film gets its title from the fact that the U.S. soldiers had to ride horses to traverse the rough terrain of Afghanistan. The horses were provided by the Northern Alliance, and the soldiers had to quickly learn how to ride them in order to reach their objectives.
Cast and Crew
- Chris Hemsworth as Captain Mitch Nelson
- Michael Shannon as Chief Warrant Officer Hal Spencer
- Michael Peña as Sergeant First Class Sam Diller
- Trevante Rhodes as Sergeant First Class Ben Milo
- Navid Negahban as General Abdul Rashid Dostum
Reception
12 Strong received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising the film's action sequences and performances. The film holds a 55% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 144 reviews, with an average rating of 5.8/10.
Conclusion
12 Strong is a gripping and inspiring film that tells a powerful true story of bravery and sacrifice. The film is a testament to the heroism of the U.S. Special Forces soldiers who risked their lives to fight against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. With its strong cast, thrilling action sequences, and emotional depth, 12 Strong is a must-watch for fans of war dramas.
