The Kingdom (2007)

Director:

Peter Berg

Writer (WGA):

Matthew Michael Carnahan (written by)

Release Date:

28 September 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Trust No One

Plot:

A team of U.S. government agents is sent to investigate the bombing of an American facility in the Middle East.

Plot Keywords:

FBI | Saudi Arabia | Compound | Investigation | FBI Agent

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Jamie Foxx	...	Ronald Fleury
Chris Cooper	...	Grant Sykes
Jennifer Garner	...	Janet Mayes
Jason Bateman	...	Adam Leavitt
Ashraf Barhom	...	Colonel Faris Al Ghazi
Ali Suliman	...	Sergeant Haytham
Jeremy Piven	...	Damon Schmidt
Richard Jenkins	...	Robert Grace
Tim McGraw	...	Aaron Jackson
Kyle Chandler	...	Francis Manner
Frances Fisher	...	Elaine Flowers
Danny Huston	...	Gideon Young
Kelly AuCoin	...	Ellis Leach
Anna Deavere Smith	...	Maricella Canavesio
Minka Kelly	...	Miss Ross

Also Known As:

Operation: Kingdom (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated R for intense sequences of graphic brutal violence, and for language.

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English | Arabic

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Alberta) | Canada:18A (British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Netherlands:16 | UK:15 | Sweden:15 | Ireland:15A | South Korea:18 | Denmark:15 | South Africa:16LV | USA:R (certificate #43538) | Finland:K-15 | Australia:MA | Singapore:NC-16 | Germany:16 | Kuwait:(Banned) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | France:-12 | Malaysia:18SG | Japan:PG-12 | Taiwan:R-12 | Philippines:R-13 | Portugal:M/16 | Norway:15 | New Zealand:R16 | Spain:18

Filming Locations:

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Peter Berg gave small roles to people involved in both his film and TV versions of "Friday Night Lights". Tim McGraw, who was in the movie, plays Aaron Jackson, while two stars of the TV show, Kyle Chandler and Minka Kelly play Agent Francis Manner and Miss Ross the schoolteacher, respectively.

Goofs:

Continuity: After the ambush on the freeway, when the Mercedes saloon is being chased by the FBI in the Range Rover, the Mercedes rounds a corner and bullet holes can be seen on the left hand side of the car, from the front door to the back of the rear door, in the next scene when the car is abandoned, the bullet holes are of a much larger calibre and there are only a few holes in the rear door.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Narrator #1: After capturing most of the Arabian Peninsula with the help of the Wahhabi Islamic warriors, Ibn Saud establishes the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Movie Connections:

References "Let's Make a Deal" (1963)

Soundtrack:

Don't Start Countin' On Me

has the makings of something memorable but takes the easy way out

When a devastating terrorist attack occurs in Saudi Arabia resulting in the death of an American federal agent and several civilians, the FBI is reluctant to conduct their own investigation for fear of severing international relations with an uncooperative Saudi government. Foxx is the head of the bureau's Rapid Action team. Accompanied by fellow agents Cooper (an explosives expert), and Garner (a forensic specialist), he leads an "unofficial" expedition to the site to try and seek out the guilty party. Political thriller has a realistic setup and three capable leads, but unfortunately the film rambles, and reduces itself to a revenge flick on its way to an action-packed climax that feels desperately contrived. The story is interesting but never convincing, especially the ending which is hollow and sentimental. **