Jerry Bruckheimer’s new film "12 Strong" is a fictionalized tale about real soldiers who fought on horseback in Afghanistan right after Sept. 11, 2001.
The movie focuses on recently declassified information about U.S. Special Forces who fought alongside Afghan soldiers in the weeks following 9/11, and who managed to take the strategic city of Mazar-i-Sharif in a period of three weeks.
Chris Hemsworth stars as U.S. Capt. Mitch Nelson, and Navid Negahban plays a former Afghan warlord who shows the Americans the ropes as far as fighting on foreign soil.
Bruckheimer interviewed real soldiers and had them consult on the movie to give it more authenticity, according to Fox News. He said his point was to honor the soldiers who fought in those early weeks and tell their story.
The Washington Post described "12 Strong" as a "Western" because of the men’s use of horses and the way it was filmed. The Americans even operate out of a base they nickname “the Alamo” because they fight against unlikely odds.
"I like to tell stories about individuals who have made a difference in our world, but yet you know nothing about them," Bruckheimer told Fox News, citing "Remember the Titans" and "Black Hawk Down" as other examples in his repertoire.
Bruckheimer also said he admires the military’s professionalism and the sacrifices they make, such as leaving their families, which Hemsworth’s character does in the film.
"I believe these men should be celebrated," he told Fox News.
"12 Strong" is rated R for war violence and strong language, and will release to theaters Friday.
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