Introduction
American Soldiers is a 2005 war film directed by Sidney J. Furie.
Also known as American Soldiers (original title), Combat Zone (Norway, Finland, and Sweden)
Outline
Iraq, 2004: during a routine sortie a US patrol is ambushed and the young soldiers are forced to put their training and skills into action fast. A determined foe with superior local knowledge, the Fedayeen insurgents soon draw them into close quarter combat and a desperate fight for survival.
Cast
- Curtis Morgan as Specialist Tyler Jackson.
- Zan Calabretta as Sergeant Delvecchio.
- Jordan Brown as Specialist Cohen.
- Eddie Della Siepe as Private First Class Roy Pena.
- Paul Sturino as Private First Class Dowdy.
- Ben Gilbank as Private First Class Aikens.
- Shaun Taylor as Sergeant Ron Stalker (as Shaun Garrett).
- Brett Ryan as Specialist Romeo.
- Philippe Buckland as Specialist Deke Carver.
- Michael Belisaro as Private First Class Johnson (as Michael Belisario).
- Vince Salonia as Lieutenant Ahmed.
- James Gilbert as National Guard Lieutenant Banning (as Jim Gilbert).
- Jason Matheson as National Guard Lieutenant Diggs.
- Alastair Love as National Guard Sergeant Wilkes.
- Josh Campbell as National Guard Private First Class. Kelly.
- Jesse Ryder Hughes as National Guard Specialist Cooper (as Jesse Hughes).
- Danny Kharazmi as Insurgent.
- Rashid Al Switi as Bad Cop.
- Omar Balika as Fedayeen Leader.
- Mohamed Safi as Doctor #1.
- Michael Challenor as Doctor #2.
- Sergio de la Rocha as CIA Contractor.
- Kevin Jake Walker as Aide.
- Andrea Drepaul as Station Nurse.
- Saeideh Mohajer as Nurse #2.
- Rachael Ancheril as Nurse #3.
Trivia
- During the Special Features “Making Of/Behind The Scenes” segment included on the DVD, it is explained that the movie was filmed in Canada.
- The producers couldn’t easily find locations with palm trees to add realism to outside scenes.
- Two Special Effects personnel are shown moving “fake palm trees” into position and standing them up on their large flat bases, just like setting up orange traffic cones.
- Dirt and weeds are shown being placed around the base to add to the illusion of them being real trees.
- The film was constantly being rewritten during production in order to keep up with the news.
- Finished in May 2004, but sat unreleased for a full year.
Production & Filming Details
- Director(s):
- Sidney J. Furie.
- Producer(s):
- Sidney J. Furie … producer.
- Gary Howsam … executive producer.
- Paul Lees … line producer.
- Eli Necakov … associate producer.
- Curtis Petersen … producer.
- Christopher Petzel … executive producer.
- Lewin Webb … executive producer.
- Writer(s):
- Greg Mellott (screenplay).
- Music:
- Varouje.
- Cinematography:
- Curtis Petersen.
- Editor(s):
- Eduardo Martinez.
- Production:
- Peace Arch Entertainment Group.
- Distributor(s):
- Kye Films (2006) (Philippines) (theatrical).
- THINKFilm (2005) (USA) (theatrical).
- Acteurs Auteurs Associés (AAA) (2007) (France) (video).
- Dimension Pictures (2010) (India) (all media) (English & Dubbed Version for India & SAARC Countries).
- Edel Media & Entertainment (2014) (Germany) (DVD).
- Edel Media & Entertainment (2014) (Germany) (Blu-ray) (DVD).
- Front Row Filmed Entertainment (2004) (United Arab Emirates) (all media) (Middle East).
- M.I.B. (2006) (Germany) (DVD).
- Peace Arch Entertainment Group (2005) (World-wide) (all media).
- Velocity Home Entertainment (2006) (USA) (DVD).
- W4tchTV (2021) (France) (video) (PVD).
- Release Date: 31 August 2005 (Brazil, DVD Premiere).
- Rating: 15/R.
- Running Time: 103 minutes.
- Country: Canada.
- Language: English.