This ‘completely inaccurate’ war film was released in 2002 and has done anything but age well. Windtalkers is an action movie about a man facing his own demons and trying to redeem himself from war.
It is based on a true story about the code talkers from the Navajo nation during WW2. The film’s synopsis as per IMDb is: “Two U.S. Marines in WW2 are assigned to protect the Navajo Marines who use their native language as an unbreakable radio cipher. Their orders are to keep these men safe, but if a code talker should fall into enemy hands they’re to ‘protect the code at all costs’. As the men become reluctant friends and the bonds of war are forged, each man is ultimately faced with a terrible decision – if they can’t protect their fellow Marines, how far will they go to protect the code?”
The film stars Nicolas Cage, Adam Beach, Peter Stormarem, Noah Emmerich, Mark Ruffalo, Brian Van Holt, Martin Henderson and Roger Willie.
Film critics widely expressed disapproval at John Woo’s feature, saying it was “disappointing”.
Rotten Tomatoes’ audience rating gives the film 50%, suggesting that for the viewer it’s either a love it or a hate it type of movie.
Whereas their critics meter rated at a bleak 37%.
In their article “Top 7 worst war movies ever” Battlegrounds+ listed Windtalkers.
Battlegrounds+ said: “The horrible acting and completely inaccurate scenes of combat in the Pacific War make it barely unwatchable.”
A reviewer on Rotten Tomatoes stated: “Not worth the watch,” with another adding: “There is so much wrong with this movie that is torture to watch.”
Another said: “An uninspired war movie where Nicolas Cage plays the same role in a different costume.” However one reviewer awarded the film four stars and wrote: “Star studded cast performs well. Great cinematography. Woo and Marin is a winning combination here.”