The Outpost (2020)

Directed by: Rod Lurie | 118 minutes | action, drama | Actors: Scott Eastwood, Caleb Landry Jones, Orlando Bloom, Jack Kesy, Cory Hardrict, Milo Gibson, Jacob Scipio, Taylor John Smith, Jonathan Yunger, Alexander Arnold, George Arvidson, Will Attenborough, Chris Born, Ernest Cavazos, Scott Alda Coffey, Jack DeVos, Sharif Dorani, Henry Hughes, James Jagger, Jack Kalian, Bobby Lockwood

You have war movies and you have war movies, but director Rod Lurie’s ‘The Outpost’ is one that the viewer will not easily forget. Based on a true story, we see a battalion of just 54 American soldiers who were assigned to guard the Kamdesh country estate in Afghanistan in 2009. In a valley, so Kamdesh is actually under fire from all sides on a daily basis from the Taliban or sympathetic civilians. It’s almost an indefensible outpost, rated as the most dangerous in the world.

Despite the constant threat from the Taliban, the military is trying to gain the respect and trust of the local population by supporting them in various projects. Regular meetings are held in which consultations are held with the elders of the various population groups. However, in the background there is the constant threat of the ultimate Taliban attack, announced several times by the interpreter at the outpost, Mohammed.

We see the loneliness of the soldiers, their own typical jargon and we almost ‘experience’ ourselves the constant threat under which those men have to do their work. Every day could be their last, they walk a thin line. Because: if the Taliban finally comes, will they manage with the numbers of ammunition, what about air support?

As first-in-command, we see Captain Keating (Orlando Bloom), giving his men their orders with dignity and fairness. After his death, the camp is named after him. His successor in the inferno also quickly dies and then it is the turn of captain three, Broward (Kwame Patterson from “The Wire”). When he is relieved of his post after some questionable decisions, it’s the turn of the duo Romesha (Scott Eastwood) and Bundermann (Taylor John Smith), a staff sergeant and a lieutenant who know their own men inside out. A battalion in which, for example, specialist Carter (a wonderful role by Calen Landry Jones from ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) plays a special role as a loner.

When the great attack finally arrives, we see the true hell of war waged. Up close and very personal. The dead and wounded fall in droves and we see the camaraderie and sentimentality between the soldiers themselves. Impressive. When separating the market, after counting the victims, the balance can be made. This battalion, the Bravo Troop 3-6-1 Cavalry, will eventually become the most decorated army unit, including a Medal of Honor for two living/serving soldiers.

Research into the battle of Kamdesh/Keating proved the failure of the US military leadership. All obviously indefensible outposts had to be shut down immediately. A matter of too late, too little? Yes, because from minute one, your neck hairs are standing on end at the sight of this silly exercise. It is still a miracle that soldiers managed to survive this ‘hellhole’ at all. An intense viewing experience. War in real life, through the eyes of heroes.