A Diamond in the Rough

     On a wonderful winter day of January 19, 2016 for $5 movies, at a local Marcus Theater…I saw a movie that still shakes me to this day, more than a week after…and probably will remain one of the few that really moves you. The movie was, 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi.
             

      Now before you get all defensive on whatever political side you take…hear me out. This movie is not supposed to be or cause a political bloodbath between left and right -> it tells a true story about real men, with real families, with real brotherhood, honor and bravery- where some survived and some lost their lives in a real bloodbath, that lasted 13 hours. Take the politics out of this and see the story of real heroes.

     I have no intentions to make this a long post about details of the movie, and what happens because I believe the movie speaks for itself. With all the war great war movies I've seen, I feel like I've never grasped the question, "Why did he die and I live?" until this movie. It wasn't brought up in the movie, but as I was watching it I couldn't help but think it because the movie does a great job with showing the brotherhood of these men. The movie also did a great job with letting the audience get to know the characters and families. This is one of the few "war" movies where I felt, as a viewer, like I was family or a friend of the guys, because of how the relationships were brought to life in this film. The "why him instead of me" thought popped into my head not because of any type of favoritism, but truly because each one of them worked their butts off equally as hard in those 13 hours and some survived and some didn't.  As a viewer, after seeing this movie there's not a doubt in my mind that these guys would sacrifice their life for their brother, and that is a powerful message.
   
     One more thing that made this movie unique is that some of the survivors  who co-wrote the book, also got to help with the movie. After seeing the movie I watched an interview of the heroes telling about what happened in Benghazi and I felt like I was re-watching the movie. While watching the movie the men referred to this one place right outside of the CIA Annex as "Zombieland"…and while watching the movie I thought, I wonder if Hollywood came up with that name to make it more relevant and eerie." It turns out that is exactly what the guys called it, as Benghazi happened only a few years ago, after t.v. shows like The Walking Dead and the "zombie" craze had already started. Hollywood didn't need use the word "Zombieland" to make it more relevant…it already was.

      It's the truth and brotherhood that grips you. The movie doesn't point fingers at one political party or another (in fact their names aren't even mentioned in the movie)…it is told through the eyes of the soldiers. No matter what side of the political spectrum you're on, please go see this movie, rent or buy it when it's on DVD, to honor the heroes and fallen heroes. The surviving heroes wanted this to be apolitical as possible. So I challenge you to go see this movie that is a diamond in the rough…aka it's being overshadowed by politics.

Below I've attached the trailer, and interview as well as a full interview with some of the survivors.  The movie is rated R for language and violence, so don't take young children =)

            Out of the 2 trailer's released, I personally thought this one was more moving (the one above)

                                            Above is an interview with 3 of the survivors



For those who have fought for us or are still fighting, thank you!


Peace & Love,
                Jessica Lynn