:13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

{{Redirect|13 Hours (film)|the 2010 British film|13Hrs{{!}}13Hrs|the 2014 book on which the film is based|13 Hours (book){{!}}13 Hours (book)}}

{{Infobox film

| name = 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

| image = 13 Hours poster.png

| caption = Theatrical release poster

| alt = A soldier running from an explosion, fire and dirt in the air. Text is overlaid in large white block letters "When everything went wrong six men had the courage to do what was right"

| director = Michael Bay

| producer = {{Plainlist|

Michael Bay
Erwin Stoff

}}

| screenplay = Chuck Hogan

| based_on = {{based on|13 Hours|Mitchell Zuckoff}}

| starring = {{Plainlist|

}}

| music = Lorne Balfe

| production_companies = {{Plainlist|

}}

| cinematography = Dion Beebe

| editing = {{Plainlist|

}}

| distributor = Paramount Pictures

| released = {{Film date|2016|01|12|AT&T Stadium|2016|01|15|United States}}

| runtime = 144 minutes{{cite web |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/13-hours-the-secret-soldiers-of-benghazi-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc00mjkynjg |title=13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers Of Benghazi (15) |work=British Board of Film Classification |date=January 19, 2016 |access-date=January 19, 2016 |archive-date=April 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420102243/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/13-hours-the-secret-soldiers-of-benghazi-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc00mjkynjg |url-status=live }}

| country = United States

| language = English

| budget = $50 million

| gross = $69.4 million{{Mojo title|13hoursthesecretsoldiersofbenghazi}}

}}

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi is a 2016 American biographical action-thriller film, directed and produced by Michael Bay. Written by Chuck Hogan, it is based on Mitchell Zuckoff's 2014 book. The film follows six members of the Annex Security Team who fought to defend the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya after waves of attacks by militants on September 11, 2012. The film stars James Badge Dale, John Krasinski, Pablo Schreiber, Max Martini, David Denman and Dominic Fumusa, with supporting roles by Toby Stephens, Alexia Barlier and David Costabile. Filming on location began on April 27, 2015, in Libya.

Upon its release on January 15, 2016, by Paramount Pictures, 13 Hours grossed $69 million worldwide against a production budget of $50 million, becoming one of Bay's lowest-grossing films. It also received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its performances, action sequences, and dark tone, but criticized the script for historical liberties. Bay's direction also received a mixed response, with many criticizing his emphasis on over-the-top action, but some also noting it as one of his most mature and grounded films. 13 Hours received an Oscar nomination for Best Sound Mixing at the 89th Academy Awards.

Plot

In 2012, following the overthrow of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Benghazi is named one of the most dangerous places in the world. While several countries have pulled their embassies out of Libya in fear of an attack by militants, the U.S. still has a diplomatic compound open in the city. Less than a mile away is a CIA outpost called the Annex, which is protected by a team of private military contractors from Global Response Staff (GRS).

New to the detail is Jack Silva, who arrives in Benghazi and is picked up by Tyrone "Rone" Woods, commander of the GRS team and a personal friend of his. Arriving at the Annex, he is introduced to the rest of the GRS team and the CIA Chief-of-Station, who constantly gives them strict reminders to never engage the citizens.

The U.S. Ambassador Stevens arrives in Benghazi to maintain diplomatic connections amidst the political and social chaos. Despite warnings, he decides to stay at the Special Mission with limited protection from a pair of Diplomatic Security (DS) agents, Wickland and Ubben, and guards hired from the local February 17th Martyrs Brigade militia, nicknamed "17-Feb".

On the morning of the eleventh anniversary of the September 11 attacks, Stevens notices suspicious men taking pictures of the compound and notifies his security detail. Back at the Annex, Silva finds out that his wife is pregnant. That night, a group of militants from Ansar al-Sharia assault the compound. The 17-Feb guards quickly surrender their posts, allowing the attackers easy access to the Special Mission compound.

Wickland takes Stevens and Smith, an IT specialist, into the safe room. Unable to breach it, the attackers set the building on fire hoping to burn them out. Wickland is able to escape but loses both Stevens and Smith. At the Annex, the GRS team desperately wants to go to the compound to help, but the Chief refuses, fearing that the team's departure would leave the Annex vulnerable.

However, the team dispatches to the compound and meets up with the DS agents. Silva and Woods go into the building to search for Stevens and Smith, but only find Smith's body. The DS team retreats to the Annex; but after Wickland goes in the wrong direction, they are followed back to the Annex. Later, the GRS team also retreats to the Annex.

Knowing an attack by the militants is imminent, the CIA staff of the Annex make several desperate calls for help. The only help they can get is from Doherty, a GRS officer in Tripoli, who forms a team including two Delta operators that fly to Benghazi after several delays. Meanwhile, the GRS team fends off the militants as they try to breach the Annex perimeter. After repelling the largest attack wave, they receive word from ISR that help is en route.

The Tripoli GRS reinforcements arrive and begin preparing the CIA and DS staff to head for the airport. The militants launch a mortar attack in which Ubben and Geist are wounded; Geist's left arm is partially severed and Ubben's right leg suffers a compound fracture. Woods and Doherty are both killed by mortar.

With the GRS team compromised, and the Annex now vulnerable, the remaining GRS operators watch as a convoy of vehicles rolls toward them. Fearing the worst, the operators prepare to make a final stand, until it is revealed that the convoy is part of the Libya Shield Force militia escorting the GRS reinforcements. They also discover Stevens was found behind the compound, but was pronounced dead at the hospital.

At the airport, the CIA staff and the wounded Geist board the plane to Tripoli while the remainder of the GRS team awaits the next plane with the bodies of Stevens, Smith, Woods and Doherty. Closing titles reveal that all of the surviving members of the Annex security team received contractor medals in a private ceremony and have since retired from the GRS team and live with their families.

Cast

= GRS Team =

John Krasinski as Jack Silva, newest member of the team and former US Navy SEAL{{cite web |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/2016/01/13-hours-benghazi-fictionalized/ |title=Benghazi as Zombieland |work=National Review |date=January 15, 2016 |access-date=December 29, 2020 |archive-date=April 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423064412/https://www.nationalreview.com/2016/01/13-hours-benghazi-fictionalized/ |url-status=live }}
James Badge Dale as Tyrone S. "Rone" Woods, commander of the GRS team and former US Navy SEAL
Max Martini as Mark "Oz" Geist, team member and retired US Marine
Dominic Fumusa as John "Tig" Tiegen, team member and retired US Marine
Pablo Schreiber as Kris "Tanto" Paronto, team member and former US Army Ranger
David Denman as Dave "Boon" Benton, team member and retired US Marine Scout Sniper
Toby Stephens as Glen "Bub" Doherty, GRS operator in Bakool, former US Navy SEAL, and good friend of Woods and Silva

= CIA =

Alexia Barlier as Sona Jillani, an undercover CIA Officer in Libya
Freddie Stroma as Brit Vayner, an undercover CIA Officer in Libya
David Costabile as "Bob" aka. "The Chief", the Benghazi CIA Chief-of-Station
Shane Rowe as CIA Annex Cook, who participates in the defense of the Annex
Gábor Bodis as CIA Agent, a security officer

= U.S. State Department =

Matt Letscher as J. Christopher Stevens, USA Ambassador to Libya{{IMDb name|0504762|Matt Letscher}}
David Giuntoli as Scott Wickland, DSS Agent
Demetrius Grosse as Dave Ubben, DSS Agent
David Furr as Alec Henderson, DSS Agent
Davide Tucci as Defense Attaché
Christopher Dingli as Sean Smith, an IT specialist

= Civilians =

Wrenn Schmidt as Becky Silva, wife of Jack Silva
Peyman Moaadi as Amahl, a local interpreter

Production

= Development =

On February 10, 2014, it was announced that Paramount Pictures was in talks with 3 Arts Entertainment to acquire the film rights to the book 13 Hours, written by Mitchell Zuckoff, with Erwin Stoff to produce.{{cite news|last1=Fleming|first1=Mike Jr. |title=Paramount In Talks For Benghazi Attack Film Based On Book By Survivors|url=https://deadline.com/2014/02/paramount-in-talks-for-benghazi-attack-film-based-on-book-by-survivors-680448/|access-date=May 4, 2015|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=February 10, 2014|archive-date=December 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225172857/https://deadline.com/2014/02/paramount-in-talks-for-benghazi-attack-film-based-on-book-by-survivors-680448/|url-status=live}} Chuck Hogan was set to adapt the book, based on the true events of The Benghazi Attack by militants on the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi Libya, on the evening of September 11, 2012. The film would focus on six members of a security team that fought to defend the Americans stationed there. On October 29, 2014, Michael Bay was set to direct and produce the thriller.{{cite news|last1=Kit|first1=Borys|title=Michael Bay in Talks to Direct Benghazi Movie '13 Hours' (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/michael-bay-talks-direct-benghazi-744933|access-date=May 4, 2015|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 29, 2014|archive-date=March 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325164410/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/michael-bay-talks-direct-benghazi-744933|url-status=live}}

= Casting =

On January 14, 2015, John Krasinski was cast to play a leading role, playing a former US Navy SEAL.{{cite news|last1=Kroll|first1=Justin|title=John Krasinski to Star in Michael Bay's Benghazi Movie '13 Hours'|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/john-krasinski-13-hours-casting-michael-bay-1201372268/|access-date=January 15, 2015|work=Variety|date=January 14, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061921/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/john-krasinski-13-hours-casting-michael-bay-1201372268/|url-status=live}} On February 3, Pablo Schreiber also signed on to star in the film, playing Kris "Tanto" Paronto, one of the six-man security team.{{cite news|last1=Kroll|first1=Justin|title='Orange is the New Black' Actor Pablo Schreiber Joins Michael Bay's '13 Hours' (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/orange-is-the-new-black-actor-pablo-schreiber-joins-michael-bays-13-hours-exclusive-1201422957/|access-date=February 5, 2015|work=Variety|date=February 3, 2015|archive-date=February 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204085257/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/orange-is-the-new-black-actor-pablo-schreiber-joins-michael-bays-13-hours-exclusive-1201422957/|url-status=live}} On February 6, James Badge Dale was set to star, as the leader of the security team.{{cite news|last1=Fleming|first1=Mike Jr.|title=James Badge Dale Lands Lead In Michael Bay Benghazi Project '13 Hours'|url=https://deadline.com/2015/02/james-badge-dale-michael-bay-benghazi-1201367580/|access-date=February 7, 2015|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=February 6, 2015|archive-date=December 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225172836/https://deadline.com/2015/02/james-badge-dale-michael-bay-benghazi-1201367580/|url-status=live}} Max Martini was cast as another member of the security team on February 17, 2015.{{cite news|last1=Kroll|first1=Justin|title='Pacific Rim' Actor Max Martini Joins Michael Bay's '13 Hours' (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/pacific-rim-actor-max-martini-joins-michael-bays-13-hours-exclusive-1201435244/|access-date=April 4, 2015|work=Variety|date=February 17, 2015|archive-date=March 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323045634/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/pacific-rim-actor-max-martini-joins-michael-bays-13-hours-exclusive-1201435244/|url-status=live}} David Denman signed on to star in the film on March 3, 2015, playing Boon, an elite sniper.{{cite news|last1=Kit|first1=Borys|title=Michael Bay's '13 Hours' Finds Its Sniper in 'The Office' Actor (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/michael-bays-13-hours-finds-778913|access-date=April 4, 2015|work=hollywoodreporter.com|date=March 3, 2015|archive-date=December 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225172839/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/michael-bays-13-hours-finds-778913|url-status=live}} On March 5, 2015, THR reported that Dominic Fumusa also signed on, to play John "Tig" Tiegen, one of the members of the security team, who is also a former Marine with weapons expertise.{{cite news|last1=Ford|first1=Rebecca|title=Michael Bay's '13 Hours' Adds 'Nurse Jackie' Actor Dominic Fumusa (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/michael-bays-13-hours-adds-779590|access-date=May 4, 2015|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 5, 2015|archive-date=December 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225172824/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/michael-bays-13-hours-adds-779590|url-status=live}} Freddie Stroma was added to the cast on March 17, 2015, to play the role of an undercover CIA officer in Libya.{{cite news|last1=Pedersen|first1=Erik|title=Freddie Stroma Has '13 Hours'; Christopher Gorham Lands Lead In 'Po'; 'Exeter' Set For DirecTV Bow|url=https://deadline.com/2015/03/freddie-stroma-has-13-hours-christopher-gorham-lands-lead-in-po-exeter-set-for-directv-bow-1201394073/|access-date=May 10, 2015|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=March 17, 2015|archive-date=December 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225172900/https://deadline.com/2015/03/freddie-stroma-has-13-hours-christopher-gorham-lands-lead-in-po-exeter-set-for-directv-bow-1201394073/|url-status=live}} On May 7, 2015, Toby Stephens was set to play Glen "Bub" Doherty, another of the security team members.{{cite news|last1=Kroll|first1=Justin|title='Black Sails' Actor Toby Stephens Joins Michael Bay's '13 Hours' (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/toby-stephens-13-hours-cast-michael-bay-black-sails-1201490271/|access-date=May 10, 2015|work=Variety|date=May 7, 2015|archive-date=May 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509084917/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/toby-stephens-13-hours-cast-michael-bay-black-sails-1201490271/|url-status=live}}

= Country =

Country War September Attack in 2017 54 13 Libya.{{cite news |title=On the Set for 4/27/15: Jennifer Lawrence Wraps David O. Russell's Joy & Starts on X-Men: Apocalypse |url=http://www.ssninsider.com/on-the-set-for-42715-jennifer-lawrence-wraps-david-o-russells-joy-starts-on-x-men-apocalypse/ |access-date=April 27, 2015 |work=ssninsider.com |date=April 27, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518095836/http://www.ssninsider.com/on-the-set-for-42715-jennifer-lawrence-wraps-david-o-russells-joy-starts-on-x-men-apocalypse/ |archive-date=May 18, 2015}} A large film set was built in March 2015 in Benghazi, Libya at .{{cite news|last1=Schembri Orland|first1=Kevin|title=13 Hours: Michael Bay film set built near Flower Power|url=https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2015-03-30/local-news/13-Hours-Michael-Bay-film-set-built-near-Flower-Power-6736132995|access-date=May 10, 2015|work=independent.com.mt|date=March 30, 2015|archive-date=December 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225172851/http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2015-03-30/local-news/13-Hours-Michael-Bay-film-set-built-near-Flower-Power-6736132995|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://airphotomalta.photoshelter.com/gallery/13-Hours-movie-set-at-TaQali-Malta-on-05-05-2015/G0000.rbgMNCbu3g/|title=13 Hours movie set at Ta'Qali, Malta on 05-05-2015. - Images | Airphoto Malta - Custom Aerial Photos|access-date=July 26, 2021|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726214010/https://airphotomalta.photoshelter.com/gallery/13-Hours-movie-set-at-TaQali-Malta-on-05-05-2015/G0000.rbgMNCbu3g/|url-status=live}}

Release

On June 30, 2015, Paramount announced that the new title would be 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, and set the film to be released on January 15, 2016, on the MLK Holiday weekend.{{cite news|last1=Lincoln|first1=Ross A.|title=Paramount's '13 Hours' Benghazi Drama Confirmed For MLK Weekend 2016|url=https://deadline.com/2015/06/benghazi-drama-13-hours-benghazi-drama-in-theaters-mlk-2016-1201464746/|access-date=July 2, 2015|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=June 30, 2015|archive-date=March 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331204423/https://deadline.com/2015/06/benghazi-drama-13-hours-benghazi-drama-in-theaters-mlk-2016-1201464746/|url-status=live}} The film premiered on January 12, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas,{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/06/movies/13-hours-gives-benghazi-attack-cinematic-treatment.html|title='13 Hours' Gives Benghazi Attack Cinematic Treatment|first=Michael|last=Cieplyjan|work=The New York Times|date=January 5, 2016|access-date=January 6, 2016|archive-date=January 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106082311/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/06/movies/13-hours-gives-benghazi-attack-cinematic-treatment.html|url-status=live}} benefiting the Shadow Warriors Project, which supports private military security personnel and other groups.

Unusual for a major American film, the film was given only a limited release in Canada during its American wide opening weekend, playing in select theatres in six cities. The film expanded to a wide release in Canadian theatres the following weekend, January 22–24.{{cite web|url=http://www.tribute.ca/movies/13-hours-the-secret-soldiers-of-benghazi/111435/|title=13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi|work=Tribute.ca|access-date=January 15, 2016|archive-date=January 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117220106/http://www.tribute.ca/movies/13-hours-the-secret-soldiers-of-benghazi/111435|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://filmjunk.com/2016/01/15/new-to-theatres-this-weekend-13-hours-the-secret-soldiers-of-benghazi-ride-along-2-norm-of-the-north/|title=New to Theatres This Weekend: 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, Ride Along 2, Norm of the North – Film Junk}}

Paramount specifically marketed the film to conservatives,{{Citation |last=Pulver |first=Andrew |date=January 15, 2016 |title=Benghazi attack film 13 Hours is marketed to conservative audiences |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/jan/15/benghazi-attack-film-13-hours-targets-conservative-audiences |access-date=January 24, 2016 |archive-date=January 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126171757/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/jan/15/benghazi-attack-film-13-hours-targets-conservative-audiences |url-status=live }} in a method similar to previous films Lone Survivor and American Sniper, both of which had beaten box office expectations. This included screening 13 Hours for key Republican Party figures in order to generate endorsement quotations.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/01/13-hours-box-office-michael-by-donald-trump-hillary-clinton-republicans-1201684874/ |title='13 Hours' Opens Lower Than Expected; Being Politicized Didn't Help |first=Anthony |last=D'Alessandro |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=January 17, 2016 |access-date=January 24, 2016 |archive-date=January 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123093417/http://deadline.com/2016/01/13-hours-box-office-michael-by-donald-trump-hillary-clinton-republicans-1201684874/ |url-status=live }}

= Home media =

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi was released on DVD and Blu-ray on June 7, 2016. Likely due to a boost from the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election, the film made $40 million in DVD and Blu-ray sales by August 2016.{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2016/08/05/michael-bays-13-hours-gets-huge-sales-boost-as-election-nears.html |title=Michael Bay's '13 Hours' gets huge sales boost as election nears |publisher=Fox News |date=2016-08-05 |access-date=January 28, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022133159/http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2016/08/05/michael-bays-13-hours-gets-huge-sales-boost-as-election-nears.html |archive-date=2016-10-22}}{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/michael-bays-benghazi-film-gets-916588 |title=Michael Bay's Benghazi Film Gets Trump Bump in Home Video |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=2016-08-04 |author1=McClintock, Pamela |access-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-date=July 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715064035/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/michael-bays-benghazi-film-gets-916588 |url-status=live }} It was released on 4K UHD Blu-Ray on June 11, 2019.{{Citation |title=13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi 4K Blu-ray |url=https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/13-Hours-The-Secret-Soldiers-of-Benghazi-4K-Blu-ray/238779/ |access-date=2019-04-23 |archive-date=April 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423135227/https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/13-Hours-The-Secret-Soldiers-of-Benghazi-4K-Blu-ray/238779/ |url-status=live }}

Reception

= Box office =

13 Hours grossed $52.9 million in North America and $16.5 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $69.4 million, against a production budget of $50 million, making it Michael Bay's lowest-grossing directorial film to-date.{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/people/chart/?view=Director&id=michaelbay.htm |title=Michael Bay Movie Box Office Results |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=April 7, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920151327/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/people/chart/?view=Director&id=michaelbay.htm |archive-date=2019-09-20}}

The film was projected to earn around $20 million in its four-day Martin Luther King weekend debut. It faced competition from fellow newcomer Ride Along 2, as well as holdovers The Revenant and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-movie-projector-20160113-story.html|title='Ride Along 2' is likely to take over No. 1 spot at box office this weekend|first=Ryan|last=Faughnder|work=Los Angeles Times|date=January 13, 2016|access-date=January 13, 2016|archive-date=January 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113135512/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-movie-projector-20160113-story.html|url-status=live}} Other films in a similar vein that had opened on the MLK weekend in previous years, American Sniper ($107.2 million in 2015) and Lone Survivor ($37.8 million in 2014), found success, although they had faced weaker competition, and were considered less politically divisive.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-preview-13-hours-855167|title=Box-Office Preview: Michael Bay's Benghazi Movie '13 Hours' Could Be Politically Divisive|first=Pamela|last=McClintock|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=January 12, 2016|access-date=January 13, 2016|archive-date=January 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114054905/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-preview-13-hours-855167|url-status=live}} However, The Hollywood Reporter noted that the film could outperform expectations if it was buoyed by waves of patriotism. The film made $900,000 from 1,995 theaters during its Thursday previews and $16.2 million in its opening weekend, finishing fourth at the box office.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/01/ride-along-2-begins-to-zoom-in-thursday-previews-box-office-1201683644/ |title='Ride Along 2' Continues No. 1 Journey With $41.5M; '13 Hours' Clocks $19.65M – Monday Update |work=Deadline Hollywood |author1=D'Alessandro, Anthony |date=18 January 2016 |quote=Paramount Pictures' controversial 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi is coming in lower than its $20M-$23M industry projection, but stronger than anticipated with a $19.65M FSSM and $16.2M in its 3-day B.O. |access-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-date=January 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117101525/http://deadline.com/2016/01/ride-along-2-begins-to-zoom-in-thursday-previews-box-office-1201683644/ |url-status=live }} The film added 528 theaters in its second weekend and grossed $9 million, a 39.8% drop.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4148&p=.htm|title='The Revenant' Weathers Snow Storm While Weekend's Newcomers Perform as Expected|first=Brad|last=Brevet|website=Box Office Mojo|date=January 24, 2016|access-date=January 25, 2016|archive-date=January 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125222158/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4148&p=.htm|url-status=live}}

= Critical response =

13 Hours received mixed reviews from critics, though some viewed it as a welcomed tame effort from Michael Bay.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/movies/13-hours-the-secret-soldiers-of-benghazi-review-dramatized-look-at-the-deadly-2012-benghazi-attack-1.11328669|title='13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi' review: Dramatized look at the deadly 2012 Benghazi attack|first=Rafer|last=Guzmán|work=Newsday|access-date=January 17, 2016|archive-date=January 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118000217/http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/movies/13-hours-the-secret-soldiers-of-benghazi-review-dramatized-look-at-the-deadly-2012-benghazi-attack-1.11328669|url-status=live}}{{cite web | url =http://www.cinemalogue.com/2016/01/15/13-hours-the-secret-soldiers-of-benghazi/ | title =13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi | last1 =Jorgenson | first1 =Todd | date =January 16, 2016 | website =Cinemalogue.com | access-date =January 18, 2016 | archive-date =December 11, 2017 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20171211085859/http://cinemalogue.com/2016/01/15/13-hours-the-secret-soldiers-of-benghazi | url-status =live }}{{cite web|url=http://theyoungfolks.com/review/13-hours-the-secret-soldiers-of-benghazi-michael-bay/70719|title=Movie Review: '13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi' – The Young Folks|work=The Young Folks|date=January 16, 2016|access-date=January 17, 2016|archive-date=January 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119143047/http://theyoungfolks.com/review/13-hours-the-secret-soldiers-of-benghazi-michael-bay/70719|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.fatguysatthemovies.com/13-hours-the-secret-soldiers-of-benghazi-movie-review/|title=Fat Guys at the Movies - '13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi' Movie Review|work=Fat Guys at the Movies|date=January 15, 2016|access-date=January 17, 2016|archive-date=January 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118122253/http://www.fatguysatthemovies.com/13-hours-the-secret-soldiers-of-benghazi-movie-review/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.tri-cityherald.com/entertainment/movies-news-reviews/mr-movie/article54596165.html|title=Mr. Movie: '13 Hours' a dragged out version of Benghazi you've never heard|work=Tri-City Herald|author1=Wolcott, Gary|date=14 January 2016|access-date=January 17, 2016|archive-date=June 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620184138/http://www.tri-cityherald.com/entertainment/movies-news-reviews/mr-movie/article54596165.html|url-status=live}} On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 51% based on 224 reviews, with an average rating of 5.60/10. The site's consensus reads, "13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi is a comparatively mature and restrained effort from Michael Bay, albeit one that can't quite boast the impact its fact-based story deserves."{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes |type=movie |id=13_hours_the_secret_soldiers_of_benghazi |access-date=April 26, 2025}} On Metacritic the film has a score of 48 out of 100, based on 36 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.{{Cite Metacritic |type=movie |id=13-hours-the-secret-soldiers-of-benghazi |access-date=April 26, 2025}} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.{{cite web |url=https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CY0f1EJUAAAeatD.png |title=The Grades Are In |publisher=CinemaScore |access-date=April 8, 2017 |archive-date=April 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170409174641/https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CY0f1EJUAAAeatD.png |url-status=live }}

Soren Andersen, writing for The Seattle Times, gave the film 3 stars out of 4, criticizing the lack of distinctive characters but ultimately summarizing 13 Hours as "engrossing" and "a ground-level depiction of heroism in the midst of the fog of war".{{cite web|url=http://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/13-hours-a-gripping-look-at-what-happened-in-benghazi/|title=13 Hours: a gripping look at what happened in Benghazi|first=Soren|last=Andersen|work=Seattle Times|date=January 14, 2016|access-date=January 14, 2016|archive-date=January 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130225203/http://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/13-hours-a-gripping-look-at-what-happened-in-benghazi/|url-status=live}} Richard Roeper similarly praised 13 Hours in his review for the Chicago Sun-Times. Although he lamented the script, Roeper found the film to be a "solid action thriller with well-choreographed battle sequences and strong work from the ensemble cast".{{cite web|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2016/3/6/18473564/13-hours-keeps-focus-on-benghazi-fight-fighters|title='13 Hours' keeps focus on Benghazi fight, fighters|author=Roeper, Richard|work=Chicago Sun-Times|date=March 6, 2016|access-date=January 14, 2016|archive-date=January 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103035852/https://chicago.suntimes.com/2016/3/6/18473564/13-hours-keeps-focus-on-benghazi-fight-fighters|url-status=live}} Like Roeper's review, New York Daily News{{'}} Joe Dziemianowicz was less receptive toward the script, but applauded the film's focus on the real-life attack, summarizing: "War is gritty here, not glamorous... [Michael Bay] delivers a gripping, harrowing, and heartfelt film."{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/michael-bay-13-hours-gripping-benghazi-story-article-1.2495477|title=Movie review: Michael Bay's '13 Hours' is a gripping Benghazi story with a ripped John Krasinski|first=Joe|last=Dziemianowicz|work=New York Daily News|date=January 13, 2016|access-date=January 14, 2016|archive-date=January 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115073200/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/michael-bay-13-hours-gripping-benghazi-story-article-1.2495477|url-status=live}}

In a mixed review, Inkoo Kang of TheWrap praised 13 Hours for its action scenes, but panned Bay's direction as "myopic". She writes, "13 Hours is the rare Michael Bay movie that wasn't made with teenage boys in mind. But that doesn't make his latest any less callously juvenile."{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/13-hours-review-john-krasinski-james-badge-dale-pablo-schreiber/|title='13 Hours' Review: Michael Bay's Benghazi Tale Has Way More Bullets Than Brains|first=Inkoo|last=Kang|website=TheWrap|date=January 13, 2016|access-date=January 14, 2016|archive-date=January 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115031241/http://www.thewrap.com/13-hours-review-john-krasinski-james-badge-dale-pablo-schreiber/|url-status=live}} Lindsey Bahr of the Associated Press was critical of the film's direction and cinematography, and found the screenplay to be confusing.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/review-13-hours-thrilling-video-game-36279697|title=Review: '13 Hours' Is Thrilling, but Too Video Game-Like|first=Lindsey|last=Bahr|work=ABC News|date=January 14, 2016|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=January 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118193047/http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/review-13-hours-thrilling-video-game-36279697|url-status=live}} Similarly, The Economist described the film as "a sleek, poorly scripted and largely meaningless film".

= Libyan response =

The film caused controversy in Libya.{{cite news |url=https://nypost.com/2015/10/20/hollywood-benghazi-film-sparks-controversy-inside-libya/ |title=Hollywood Benghazi film sparks controversy inside Libya |work=New York Post |date=20 October 2015 |access-date=December 9, 2017 |archive-date=June 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627210914/http://nypost.com/2015/10/20/hollywood-benghazi-film-sparks-controversy-inside-libya/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=20 October 2015 |title=Hollywood Benghazi film sparks controversy inside Libya |work=New York Post |url=https://nypost.com/2015/10/20/hollywood-benghazi-film-sparks-controversy-inside-libya/ |access-date=December 9, 2017 |archive-date=June 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627210914/http://nypost.com/2015/10/20/hollywood-benghazi-film-sparks-controversy-inside-libya/ |url-status=live }} Many Libyans believed it ignored the contributions of local people who attempted to save the US ambassador.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/oct/22/michael-bay-13-hours-the-secret-soldiers-of-benghazi-libyan-politicians-bloggers-criticism-social-media |title=Angry Libyans slam Michael Bay's Benghazi attack thriller |work=The Guardian |date=22 October 2015 |author1=Child, Ben |access-date=July 18, 2016 |archive-date=March 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330180123/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/oct/22/michael-bay-13-hours-the-secret-soldiers-of-benghazi-libyan-politicians-bloggers-criticism-social-media |url-status=live }} Libya's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Salah Belnaba, denounced the film's portrayal of the Libyan people and described it as "fanatical and ignorant."{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hollywood-benghazi-film-sparking-anger-inside-libya/ |title=Hollywood Benghazi film sparking anger inside Libya |work=CBS News |date=20 October 2015 |access-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-date=April 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418084703/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hollywood-benghazi-film-sparking-anger-inside-libya/ |url-status=live }} Culture and Information Minister, Omar Gawaari, also criticized the film saying: "the movie shows the US contractors who actually failed to secure the ambassador [...] as heroes", adding that Michael Bay "turned America's failure to protect its own citizens in a fragile state into a typical action movie all about American heroism".{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.com/arabic/artandculture/2015/10/151020_libya_film_controversy |title=فيلم حول الهجوم على القنصلية الأمريكية في بنغازي يثير جدلا داخل ليبيا |trans-title=A film about the attack on the American consulate in Benghazi is stirring controversy inside Libya |work=BBC |date=21 October 2015 |language=ar |access-date=July 18, 2016 |archive-date=June 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612214615/http://www.bbc.com/arabic/artandculture/2015/10/151020_libya_film_controversy |url-status=live }}

= Accolades =

At the 89th Academy Awards, 13 Hours received a nomination for Best Sound Mixing.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/jan/24/la-la-land-equals-record-for-most-oscar-nominations|title=La La Land equals record for most Oscar nominations|date=January 24, 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=January 24, 2017|archive-date=March 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307144255/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/jan/24/la-la-land-equals-record-for-most-oscar-nominations|url-status=live}} However, Greg P. Russell (one of the four nominees from the film) had his nomination rescinded when it was discovered that he had contacted voters for the award by telephone in violation of campaigning regulations.{{cite web |last1= Calvario |first1= Liz |url= https://deadline.com/2017/02/13-hours-academy-rescinds-sound-mixing-nomination-greg-p-russell-1201989100/ |title= Academy Rescinds Sound Mixing Nomination for Greg P. Russell of '13 Hours' |work= Deadline Hollywood |date= February 25, 2017 |access-date= February 25, 2017 |archive-date= November 15, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201115024216/https://deadline.com/2017/02/13-hours-academy-rescinds-sound-mixing-nomination-greg-p-russell-1201989100/ |url-status= live }}

Historical accuracy

The film's historical accuracy has been disputed. In the film's most controversial scene, the CIA chief in Benghazi (identified only as "Bob") tells the military contractors there when they seek permission to go defend the embassy to "stand down" and thus denies them permission. The real-life CIA chief stated that there was no stand-down order.{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/2016/1/15/10774928/13-hours-benghazi-michael-bay|title=Michael Bay's 13 Hours promotes some of the worst Benghazi conspiracy theories|first=Zack|last=Beauchamp|date=January 15, 2016|work=Vox|access-date=January 17, 2016|archive-date=January 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117050550/http://www.vox.com/2016/1/15/10774928/13-hours-benghazi-michael-bay|url-status=live}} However, no help was sent even though officials at the highest levels had found out about the attack within the first few hours out of the 13. Also, the National Review commentator David French argues that the Senate committee cited above found plenty of evidence of the "stand down" order in the form of personal testimony from multiple witnesses but chose to rule that the contrary testimony outweighed it.{{cite web |title=13 Hours: Of Course There's Evidence of a 'Stand-Down Order' in Benghazi |url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/429855/13-hours-yes-there-evidence-stand-down-order-benghazi |first=David |last=French |work=National Review |date=January 15, 2016 |access-date=January 29, 2016 |archive-date=March 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330174706/http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/429855/13-hours-yes-there-evidence-stand-down-order-benghazi |url-status=live }}

Kris "Tanto" Paronto, a CIA contractor who was involved in action during the event, said, "We were told to 'stand down'. Those words were used verbatim—100 percent. If the truth of it affects someone's political career? Well, I'm sorry. It happens."{{cite web |title=New Benghazi movie reignites 'stand-down' order debate |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/01/benghazi-movie-stand-down-order-debate-217622 |website=POLITICO |author1=Bade, Rachael |date=14 January 2016 |access-date=18 January 2016 |archive-date=December 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215210133/https://www.politico.com/story/2016/01/benghazi-movie-stand-down-order-debate-217622 |url-status=live }} The CIA base chief portrayed in the film has directly contradicted Paronto's claims, saying "There never was a stand-down order.... At no time did I ever second-guess that the team would depart."{{cite web |last=Daly |first=Matthew |title=AP FACT CHECK: Benghazi movie misstates some facts |url=http://wtop.com/movies/2016/01/ap-fact-check-benghazi-movie-misstates-some-facts/ |publisher=WTOP (Associated Press) |date=January 20, 2016 |access-date=May 2, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415024226/http://wtop.com/movies/2016/01/ap-fact-check-benghazi-movie-misstates-some-facts/ |archive-date=April 15, 2016}}

Also disputed is the film's portrayal that air support was denied. A House Armed Services Committee report found that air support was unavailable or that it would have arrived too late to make a difference.{{cite news|author1=M.S.R.|title=Could a Hollywood film about Benghazi damage Clinton?|url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2016/01/outstandown-nonsense-0|date=January 18, 2016|access-date=January 19, 2016|newspaper=The Economist|archive-date=January 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119013733/http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2016/01/outstandown-nonsense-0|url-status=live}}

References

External links

{{Official website|https://www.thirteenhoursmovie.com/}}
{{IMDb title|4172430}}
{{Mojo title|13hoursthesecretsoldiersofbenghazi}}
{{Rotten Tomatoes|13_hours_the_secret_soldiers_of_benghazi}}
{{Metacritic film}}
[http://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/13-hours/ 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi] at History vs. Hollywood

Category:2016 films

Category:2016 action drama films

Category:2010s American films

Category:2010s English-language films

Category:2010s action war films

Category:2012 Benghazi attack

Category:3 Arts Entertainment films

Category:Action thriller films based on actual events

Category:American action drama films

Category:American films based on actual events

Category:American action war films

Category:Films about the Central Intelligence Agency