13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016)
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Six members of a private security team must defend a diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, during a violent militant attack.
The story
In 2012, following the overthrow of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Benghazi becomes a dangerous location where the U.S. maintains a diplomatic compound. Nearby, a CIA outpost called the Annex is protected by a private military team from Global Response Staff (GRS). When a group of militants from Ansar al-Sharia assaults the diplomatic compound on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the GRS team must navigate a complex and dangerous situation. The team faces a dilemma regarding whether to leave their post at the Annex to assist the embattled diplomats, while the situation on the ground rapidly deteriorates into a violent and high-stakes confrontation.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Following the fall of Muammar Gaddafi, the U.S. maintains a diplomatic compound in Benghazi, protected by a nearby CIA outpost called the Annex. The Annex is guarded by a GRS private military team, including Jack Silva and his commander, Tyrone "Rone" Woods. On September 11, 2012, militants from Ansar al-Sharia attack the diplomatic compound. While the local guards flee, the GRS team is initially ordered to stay at the Annex. However, they are eventually dispatched to the compound to assist. They find the situation dire, with the building on fire and casualties among the diplomatic staff. While the GRS team fights to hold the perimeter, they receive word that reinforcements from Tripoli are en route. During the siege, several members of the GRS team are wounded or killed by mortar fire. The reinforcements eventually arrive, and the survivors are evacuated to the airport. The film concludes by showing the surviving members of the Annex security team receiving medals and retiring from the GRS.
- First release year
- 2016
- Runtime (minutes)
- 144
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Michael Bay
- Writers
- Chuck Hogan · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- James Badge Dale · Tyrone S. "Rone" Woods; John Krasinski · Jack Silva; Max Martini · Mark "Oz" Geist; Dominic Fumusa · John "Tig" Tiegen; Pablo Schreiber · Kris "Tanto" Paronto; David Denman · Dave "Boon" Benton; Toby Stephens · Glen "Bub" Doherty; Alexia Barlier · Sona Jillani
- Genres
- biographical; action-thriller
- Themes
- heroism; war
- Tone and mood
- dark; gritty
- Premise and plot tags
- action; military; based on true events
- Source material / true-story basis
- 13 Hours by Mitchell Zuckoff
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its performances and action but criticized the script's historical liberties. It was noted as one of Michael Bay's more mature and grounded films, though some critics found his direction to be myopic or the script to be poorly written.
- Awards and nominations
- Best Sound Mixing · Academy Awards · Nomination
- Production trivia
- The film's historical accuracy regarding a 'stand-down' order was disputed by the real-life CIA chief.; The film's portrayal of air support being denied was also a point of historical dispute.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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