12 Strong

Rated R

120 Minutes

Starring: Chris Hemsworth and Michael Shannon

*Excerpt taken from Amazon*

“12 Strong” is set in the harrowing days following 9/11 when a U.S. Special Forces team, led by their new Captain, Mitch Nelson (Hemsworth), is chosen to be the first U.S. troops sent into Afghanistan for an extremely dangerous mission. There, in the rugged mountains, they must convince Northern Alliance General Dostum (Navid Negahban) to join forces with them to fight their common adversary: the Taliban and their Al Qaeda allies. In addition to overcoming mutual distrust and a vast cultural divide, the Americans—accustomed to state-of-the-art warfare—must adopt the rudimentary tactics of the Afghan horse soldiers. But despite their uneasy bond, the new allies face overwhelming odds: outnumbered and outgunned by a ruthless enemy that does not take prisoners.”

I was awed by the events of this movie, which was based on a true story.  All the odds were stacked against them as they went into battle.  Men who have never been on a horse before must ride a horse and shoot at the same time.  Knowing that their Afghanistan counterpart, General Dostrum, could at any moment kill them or sell them out.  And to go up against men who are ready to do battle with tanks and rockets all on horses.  It’s been17years since 9/11, and we are still hearing stories of courageous men who went into battle.  The heroism of that day will never cease to amaze me and this is another movie that clearly shows the bravery of our men and women who strive to serve this country with their utmost.

Library Link: 12 Strong (DVD)