War Pigs Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A washed-up captain leads a team of misfits, featuring Dolph Lundgren with a questionable accent and Mickey Rourke in a cowboy hat, to find and draw a really big Nazi gun, because, you know, cameras weren’t invented yet.

🍿 War Pigs: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Disgraced Captain’s Second Chance

Captain Jack Wosick, reeling from a mission gone wrong that cost him his unit and his rank, is given an unexpected opportunity. He is tasked by Colonel AJ Redding, a veteran of World War I, with leading a new, unconventional squad. This offers Wosick a path to redemption and the chance to regain his standing within the Army.

Assembling the ‘War Pigs’

Wosick’s new unit is a motley crew of soldiers considered misfits or problems by their superiors, earning them the nickname ‘The War Pigs.’ To help whip them into shape and prepare them for a dangerous mission, Wosick is partnered with Captain Hans Picault, an anti-Nazi German serving with the French Foreign Legion. Picault brings specialized skills and battlefield experience to the team.

Training for a Secret Mission

Before embarking on their objective, Wosick and Picault must train the War Pigs to function as a cohesive and effective reconnaissance unit. The training sequences focus on building trust, teamwork, and essential combat skills, often highlighting the initial friction between Wosick, Picault, and the squad’s rebellious members, particularly Sergeant August. This phase is crucial for transforming the group of individuals into a functioning team capable of operating behind enemy lines.

The Objective: The Nazi V3 Super Weapon

The War Pigs are assigned a highly classified mission: to infiltrate enemy territory and locate a formidable Nazi-developed ‘Super Weapon’ known as the V3. This V3 is described as a massive artillery cannon capable of significantly altering the balance of power in World War II. The unit’s primary goal is initially reconnaissance – to confirm the weapon’s existence and location.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Lieutenant Wosick (Luke Goss): A disgraced Army Lieutenant tasked with leading a unit of misfits on a vital mission for redemption.
• Captain Picault (Dolph Lundgren): A German anti-Nazi serving with the French Foreign Legion who provides expertise and assists in training the War Pigs.
• Colonel Redding (Mickey Rourke): A veteran officer who gives Lieutenant Wosick the opportunity for redemption by assigning him the V3 mission.
• Sergeant August (Noah Segan): An insubordinate member of the War Pigs unit who initially clashes with Lieutenant Wosick.
• Preacher (Steven Luke): A member of the War Pigs unit who participates in the dangerous mission behind enemy lines.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Captain Picault: “Orders are orders.” – A line emphasized by Captain Picault, reflecting a common military theme of duty and following commands despite personal feelings or consequences.
• Colonel Redding: “This is the War Pigs.” – Colonel Redding introduces the assembled group of misfits who will form the special unit for the mission.
• York: “War Pigs? Why are we War Pigs?” – A soldier asks about the origin of the team’s nickname, mentioned later as being because they ‘like to roll around in the mud’.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $73,701

💥 War Pigs Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into ‘War Pigs’ not expecting ‘Saving Private Ryan’, and honestly, that helped. It feels like a throwback to those old ‘Dirty Dozen’ or ‘Kelly’s Heroes’ style B-movies, complete with the rag-tag squad and the improbable mission. Seeing Dolph Lundgren trying a French accent was worth the price of admission alone – it’s hilarious, but somehow he makes it work in a charming, straight-faced way. Luke Goss holds the center pretty well, trying to be the serious lead amidst the low-budget chaos. Don’t expect Oscar-worthy performances or flawless historical accuracy, because you won’t find them here. The action is sparse and looks a bit cheap when it happens, but the training scenes and squad banter are actually kind of watchable if you lean into the cheese factor. Mickey Rourke’s appearance is… well, it’s something you have to see to believe. Cowboy hat? Long hair? In WWII France? It’s utterly ridiculous but adds to the overall ‘what am I watching?’ entertainment. If you can appreciate a movie that knows (or at least feels like it knows) it’s a low-budget, old-school action flick and just wants to deliver some simple Nazi-fighting fun, you might enjoy this. I found myself entertained despite its many flaws; it’s a definite popcorn movie for fans of retro action.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of World War II B-movies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy ensemble ‘misfit’ team movies like ‘The Dirty Dozen'”
  • “Fans of actors Luke Goss, Dolph Lundgren, or Mickey Rourke”
  • “Those looking for a straightforward war action-adventure story”
  • “Viewers tolerant of low-budget production aspects and historical inaccuracies”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence (warfare, gun battles, explosions)”
  • “Language (mild, including some strong language like the ‘F-bomb’)”
  • “Smoking (characters frequently shown smoking)”

Professional Reviews

• Film Critics Guild (Fictional): “War Pigs attempts a ‘Dirty Dozen’ vibe but falls short. The script is weak, characters are cliché, and the action is minimal and often unconvincing. While a few leads like Luke Goss and Dolph Lundgren put in effort (despite a questionable French accent), their performances can’t elevate the thin material. Historical inaccuracies and shaky camera work further detract from the experience. Best approached as a low-budget B-movie homage, if at all.
• Independent Film Reviewers (Fictional): “Ryan Little’s latest WWII effort is a mixed bag. It spends too much time on training montages and predictable character arcs, leaving little room for compelling action or genuine drama. The casting of recognizable faces like Mickey Rourke (in a truly bizarre cameo) and Chuck Liddell feels like stunt casting that doesn’t pay off. Period details are inconsistent, and the central mission lacks tension. A disappointing entry in the genre.

Audience Reactions

Many enjoyed it as a fun, old-fashioned war movie in the vein of ‘The Dirty Dozen’.: Some viewers appreciated the effort to create a classic B-movie war feel and found moments of entertainment, particularly the performances of Luke Goss and Dolph Lundgren despite the script.

The historical accuracy (or lack thereof) and production values were major points of criticism.: Recurring complaints included the slow pace, lack of compelling action, poor CGI effects, and the odd casting/appearance choices, especially Mickey Rourke’s.

Overall Consensus: A low-budget, flawed WWII action drama that attempts to emulate classic war films. While some viewers found it a fun, cheesy throwback, many others criticized its weak script, slow pacing, limited action, and historical inaccuracies.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The German V3 supergun was a real project developed by the Nazis during WWII, intended to be built at sites like Mimoyecques in France, but it was never successfully deployed against the Allies.”
• “The film features several technical inaccuracies regarding US Army uniforms and equipment for the WWII era, including incorrect placement of badges, later models of firearms, and anachronistic grooming/attire for some characters.”
• “Filming primarily took place in Utah, USA, substituting for the European front.”
• “The US cut of the movie is approximately four minutes shorter than the European release.”
• “One review mentions the movie was reportedly shot for around $3 million, highlighting its status as an independent, low-budget production.”

🖥️ How to Watch War Pigs?

Directed by Ryan Little, ‘War Pigs’ was released in 2015. While it may not be readily available on major subscription streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or Max, you can typically rent or purchase ‘War Pigs’ on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and YouTube Movies. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray may also be available for purchase from retailers like Amazon or Best Buy, or potentially for rental at locations like Redbox, depending on regional availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed War Pigs, you might like these similar films:

• The Dirty Dozen (1967): Features a similar premise of assembling a rag-tag group of military misfits for a dangerous, almost suicidal mission behind enemy lines during WWII.
• Kelly’s Heroes (1970): A WWII movie centered on a diverse group of soldiers undertaking an unconventional mission behind enemy lines, known for its mix of action and character dynamics.
• Saints and Soldiers (2003): An independent WWII film focusing on the camaraderie and struggles of a small group of American soldiers, sharing a similar scale and focus on character relationships.
• The Guns of Navarone (1961): Involves a commando team sent on a perilous mission to destroy a seemingly impregnable massive enemy artillery piece threatening Allied operations.

🛒 War Pigs Related Products

• War Pigs (Digital Download): Own the movie instantly. Experience the rag-tag unit’s mission whenever you want.
• Call of Duty: WWII (Video Game): Immerse yourself in the action of World War II with realistic graphics and intense combat missions.
• The Dirty Dozen (Blu-ray/DVD): The classic war film that ‘War Pigs’ is often compared to. Watch the original and see where the inspiration came from.
• WWII American Soldier Action Figure: Highly detailed 1/6 scale action figure depicting a U.S. Army soldier from World War II.

🎧 Soundtrack

War Pigs features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Old Barn Dance” – performed by Paul Tutmarc and The Wranglers

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Winchester Model 1897 Shotgun – In The Movies

Ever notice that specific shotgun in War Pigs? This video looks at the iconic Winchester Model 1897 and its appearances, including in this movie. It’s neat to see how these historical weapons are featured on screen!

In WW II, Germany Prepared 300 Foot Tall Cannon To Destroy Everyone With One Shot

Curious about the plot or some historical context around War Pigs? This video promises a recap and explanation – might be a good way to understand the movie’s story better.

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