Product Details

• Actors: Charlize Theron, Woody Harrelson, Ray Liotta, Michelle Rodriguez
• Directors: Stuart Townsend
• Number of discs: 1
• Studio: Redwood Palms
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001FB55SK

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

For five days in 1999, all eyes were on Seattle. Irish actor Stuart Townsend makes his directorial debut with a multi-character recreation of the World Trade Organization’s ill-fated U.S. conference. If the structure recalls Crash and Babel, Townsend intensifies the you-are-there quality through well-integrated archival footage. The docudrama opens with the arrival of a group of anti-globalization activists, led by Jay (The Ring's Martin Henderson), whose compatriots include Lou (Lost's Michelle Rodriguez) and Django (Outkast's André "3000" Benjamin, who provides a welcome dose of humor). As fictional Mayor Jim Tobin (Ray Liotta, wearing a touch too much eyeliner) tries to maintain order, TV reporter Jean (Connie Nielsen) strives for objectivity, police officer Woody Harrelson attempts to carry out the mayor's orders, and Dale's pregnant wife, Ella (Charlize Theron, Townsend's real-life girlfriend), just hopes to make it home in one piece (she gets stuck downtown at the height of the skirmish). Townsend admits he was inspired by Medium Cool, which filmmaker Haskell Wexler shot during 1968's Democratic National Convention. Paul Greengrass's Bloody Sunday also seems like a possible influence, and Greengrass regular Barry Ackroyd serves as cinematographer. If the characters rarely come alive the way they should, the action sequences easily convince, which is particularly impressive considering the bulk of filming took place in nearby Vancouver, B.C. A true labor of love, Battle in Seattle presents a more balanced view than most accounts to date--even if Townsend ultimately (and understandably) sides with the peaceful protesters and passionate Third World representatives. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars VERY Powerful!, September 12, 2008

By 

Kate Austen - See all my reviews

I was lucky enough to see this film in advance, and it opened my eyes to a few very important issues.

Going in, I'd never even heard of the "battle in Seattle," as I was only 13 years old at the time of the protests. But now that I'm aware of the event, it makes me wonder why the controversies with the WTO aren't still being discussed on a larger scale.

This is something that we should all be concerned about, and Stuart Townsend has done us a favor by introducing the issues in a format that is riveting, informative, and inspirational. If there's one thing Battle in Seattle does best, it's that it fires you up to take action any way you can.

Not to mention the great production values, absolutely stellar cast, and intense action sequences (Intense because they're real! Actual footage was used).

I would highly recommend attending a showing of this film with your family and friends, because these matters are important to us all, and Stuart's presentation of them is nothing short of breathtaking.

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Just Terrible, April 2, 2009

By 

S. Dugaw - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Battle in Seattle (DVD)

I rented this movie because it took place in my old neighborhood and portrays events that I actually witnessed. I didn't expect it to be great but I had no idea that it would be so terrible. The only thing that was good about it was the actual footage that was inserted. The plot is lame and the dialog is contrived. The characters only exist to further the writer's political point of view which is painfully obvious. While I agree with the writer's position, I think this movie would have been better if he had made some semblance of an attempt to be objective - let the viewers decide for themselves. The police are portrayed as instruments of evil, when in fact having been there, I can say that many of them appeared truly frightened by the situation. There is one scene where Woody Harrelson's character bolts off into the crowd alone chasing after a particular protestor. This is just nonsense. The streets were too crowded for him to have been able to run like that, and though the protest began peacefully by the second night (when this scene was supposedly to have taken place) many people were angry enough that a single policeman charging into the crowd like that would have suffered the citizens' wrath.

12 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Important, insightful and extraordinarily well made, January 7, 2009

By 

E. Parkinson "Film & Book VIP" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Battle in Seattle (DVD)

Promising new director STUART TOWNSEND -- perhaps better known for his starring roles in films such as "A League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" or "Queen of the Damned" -- proves to be an effective storyteller with his skillful and dramatic recreation of events surrounding the historic World Trade Organiation riots in Seattle. Featuring an impressive, but not distracting, all-star cast, "Battle In Seattle" presents an effective and engaging look at the motivations behind those forces who want to control the world's marketplace, with those who will fight for freedom, opportunity and balance in commerce. Regardless of one's political or economic leanings, the film holds the audience by presenting the human-drama endured by participants on both sides of the police lines. Townsend handles his cast with skill and grace, perhaps borne from years of his own experience in front of the camera. Given a more traditionally structured screenplay (and a less controversial topic), you can expect to see something truly profound from Stuart Townsend in upcoming films. Check out "Battle in Seattle," and enjoy!