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Windtalkers

2002·Movie
2h 14min·R
IMDb6.1Metacritic516.4Rotten Tomatoes33%50%

Where to watch

PrimefuboTVMGM+PhiloThe Roku

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What's your score?

Your score

Windtalkers fingerprint

High energy, striking style, no humor.

Energy

Brutally violent and thrilling

Fast from start to finish.

  • Violence9
  • Adrenaline8
  • Spectacle8

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Pathos6
  • Melancholy5
  • Catharsis5

Humor

Serious throughout

  • Wit & Wordplay2
  • Dark Humor1
  • Situational Comedy0

World

War and history

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Rewatchability5
  • Dialogue Centrality4

Craft

Solid, not remarkable

  • Direction7
  • Acting7
  • Narrative Structure6

Style

Standout cinematography and sound design

  • Cinematography8
  • Sound Centrality8
  • Editing7

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensPure Escapism

Skip it if

You want something to laugh atGraphic violence bothers you

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Honor Was Their Code.

Joe Enders is a gung-ho Marine assigned to protect a "windtalker" - one of several Navajo Indians who were used to relay messages during World War II because their spoken language was indecipherable to Japanese code breakers.
WWII DramaAction War FilmHistorical MilitaryIntense CombatSurvival StoryCode BreakingGritty RealismComradeshipHuman Cost of War

Crew

Directed by:
John Woo, Brian Smrz, Arthur Anderson
Written by:
Joe Batteer, John Rice
Produced by:
John Woo, Mindy Marin, Terence Chang
Composed by:
James Horner, Randy Thom, David E. Fluhr

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Windtalkers

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Windtalkers legally?

PrimefuboTVMGM+PhiloThe RokuKanopyHooplaPluto TV

Windtalkers is included with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Philo, and MGM+ in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla, and Pluto TV. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Windtalkers worth watching?

50
MediocreGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 51/100 (IMDb 6.1, Rotten Tomatoes 33%, and Metacritic 51). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Windtalkers rated?

RViolenceStrong languageDisturbing imagery

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence, strong language, and disturbing imagery.

How long is Windtalkers?

2 h 14 min

Windtalkers runs 2 h 14 min.

Is Windtalkers based on a true story?

Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.

Do critics and audiences agree on Windtalkers?

Critics42
Audiences58

Not quite. Audiences rate Windtalkers higher (58) than critics (42). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

Was Windtalkers a box office hit?

Budget$115 million
Box office$78 million

No. It cost about $115 million to make and earned $78 million worldwide, 67% of its budget.

What language is Windtalkers in?

EnglishJapaneseNavajo

It was made in English, with some Japanese, Navajo. Produced in United States, Hong Kong SAR China.

In how many countries can I watch Windtalkers?

134ADAEAGALAOARATAUAZBABBBEBFBG+120

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Windtalkers in 134 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Windtalkers use?

Shell-Shocked VeteranKill It with FireIndy PloyDeterminatorAnyone Can DieHold the LineMercy KillIt Has Been an HonorAbsurdly Sharp BladeNo Good Deed Goes UnpunishedAx-CrazyKid Amid the Chaosand 67 more

TV Tropes lists 79 storytelling tropes for Windtalkers, including Shell-Shocked Veteran, Kill It with Fire, Indy Ploy.