This film is a fine showcase for a courageous officer (Denzel Washington) to live by his values: he, even though under query by his senior officer
refuses to just pass on a recommendation for a medal of courage for another officer ( Meg Ryan) who was fatally injured by enemy attack (Gulf War) after her rescue helicopter was shot down.

SPOILER: The clues Denzel uncovers are from her crew who survived: one went AWOL, another was secretive, very angry, and soon committed
suicide in an eye popping run in with a train, actually witnessed by Washington. and another whose memory was unclear due to the trauma. The only discrepancy I could discern was that Lou Diamond Phillips (the angry suicide) said he was the one who thought of overboarding the drum of
napalm over the enemy camp and firing it with a pistol,destroying the tank and many lives, while Matt Damon (the seeming poor memory) reported
that Meg Ryan was the one who knew to do it,even while under great duress when her pilot was shot in the head, and she had to take over under fire.

The premise of the story was good, the acting excellent by everyone, the direction very good as to keep interest, and keep us awake, he flash backed the story those who were being interviewed by Washington told, so it stayed very fresh.

So, does it really matter whose idea it was to "bomb" the enemies on the ridge? A crew consists of real people with various experiences; the captain's job is to use good ideas and keep everyone focussed and alive, right? In the end, she did a lot to keep them alive, and refused to leave,
I'm guessing, because she was painfully and fatally wounded, and knew she would slow anyone down who had to carry her.

I just missed the point. Hopefully, one of you who understands this better than I will put me out of this misery.

Note: Removed one star just because it wasn't clear, and I wanted to be heard for my own experience.

My wife and I are both Denzel fans so we watched this mess that even he couldn't save. If you wonder how the political left manages to stay in constant denial about the mess they have made of our country this is the explanation. They create films and TV shows where things are as they wish rather than as they are. I call it the science of wishful thinking. It's where they immerse themselves when confronted with raw facts.
Anyway, if you want to spend a couple hours watching pigs and helicopters fly this is the turkey for you.

Courage Under Fire is about two officers and their Gulf War experiences. The story revolves around three main characters. Captain Karen Walden (Meg Ryan) is up for the Medal of Honor. She was a helicopter pilot who saved a group of surrounded soldiers. She died in the action however. Lieutenant Colonel Serling (Denzel Washington) is put in charge of looking into the matter to see whether Captain Walden should win the medal. He is also dealing with his own time during the war when he was involved in a friendly fire incident and destroyed a tank in his own unit. He’s full of guilt as a result. The third character is Sergeant John Monfriez (Lou Diamond Phillips) who was Captain Walden’s gunner. He’s bitter over what happened and resents Walden. It turns out Serling is worried about a cover-up about what he did and what happened to Walden.

The movie is a compelling story about the chaos of combat and how it can be seen from different perspectives. It has a bit of a Roshomon element to it as Serling interviews people and each one has a different version of what happened and how Walden acted.

Washington of course is great in his role. His scenes with Phillips stand out because you can feel the pressure between them. It’s like they want to punch each other in the face if they could. You can also feel the weight on their soldiers over what they did during the war.

I’m not sure it was really necessary to have two stories Walden and Serling running parallel. They were both linked by trying to tell the truth of what happened but I also feel like they wanted to have a male story and highlight Denzel more.

Despite that Courage Under Fire is still a Great War film about accountability.

The DVD was excellent and the movie itself was profound. I don't know who did the screen play but I think the story line is terrific, you can't guess how it is going to end or what is going to happen next. Denzel Washington is terrific in it, he is one of those actors I always enjoy and his films are excellent. He's not afraid of gritty, unfunny stories that make us think about the important, valuable things in our lives. I always enjoy Meg Ryan but what a different, spine chilling tale to see her in. If anyone is inspired by stories of truth, forgiveness, and working through the amazing challenges our lives sometimes offer us this is a must see movie in my opinion. Debbie

First the movie (the story) is very good. Denzel is great (of course) Meg Ryan in unique role and is also great. This movie is one of a kind I believe regarding the subject matter. The movie twists so as Denzel's character who is seeking out the truth we find out what happens as he finds it out.
Very powerfull sad and heartbreaking that war is and always will be apart of our history and our future and all of us regardless have to pay the price in some way. Watch it and see what I mean

I love the movie (have it on DVD!), but tried upgrading to the Blu Ray version and it would not play on my LG blu ray player. I have a large blu ray collection and tons of other movies play on this unit, but have had a few movies that will not play and therefore have had to return them.

All of the extras would play fine. But the movie would not, jumping to a specific scene would not. Same at the other movies that would not play, once an attempt is made to play the movie (or any part of it), the unit locks up. I have to unplug power from the DVD player, power it back up and open the door to get it out. Have not figured out the pattern but some blu ray discs have some feature/format that makes them unplayable on some players. (The player is up to date with latest firmware, so it's not that.)

Anyway, returned the blu ray copy and kept the regular DVD copy of this one.

Courage Under Fire is the story of several people who are not dealing with their feelings of guilt. Denzel Washington lives with the fact that he fired upon the tank of his best friend killing all those in the tank. A medivac helicopter is shot down and the Captain (Meg Ryan) does all that she can to keep her crew alive and alert. As they come under fire the crew want to make a run for it but the Captain lets them know that she is still in charge and no one is going anywhere.

It is Denzel Washington who is given the task of investagating the Captain to see if she should be awarded the Medal of Honor. As he questions the crew it becomes clear that they are being evasive and he searches for the truth.

Edward Zwick is really good directing this kind of movie. Meg and Denzel are the perfect pair for this story. The rest of the helicopter crew including Matt Damon, play their parts with incredible realism.

mr Bernabo got this right 16 years ago. Ms Ryan's "best" movie .though "Proof of Life" was not bad (despite the nonsense with mr Crowe)....With all the work mr Damon and mr Washington have done .....this is among their best movies. Damon shows he can carry the role of a troubled character..The acting is superb in this movie on virtually everyone's part...mr Glenn, ms Taylor, and mr Phillips especially. the movie was very good....mr Moriarity did his best work here,other than in "Bang the Drum Slowly".