Tigerland (2000)
79%RT Audience Score: 71%
Awards & Nominations: 2 wins & 5 nominations
A great cast and the gritty feel of the film help elevate Tigerland above the familiarity of the subject matter
Tigerland is a war movie that doesn’t quite make it to the top ranks, but it’s still worth a watch. Colin Farrell shines as a talented newcomer, and the film’s gritty aesthetic adds to its overall appeal. Sure, it veers into oversentimentality at times, but hey, we’re talking about a war movie here. Overall, Tigerland is a solid second-tier entry that will make you think about the characters and maybe even appreciate the set design. Plus, it’s a great companion watch to Full Metal Jacket if you’re in the mood for some war movie double feature action.
Production Company(ies)
R. P. Productions, Heritage Films, Studio Babelsberg
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Camp Blanding, Starke, Florida, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for violence, pervasive language, a scene of strong sexuality and some drug use
Year of Release
2001
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 49m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Sep 13, 2000 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 15, 2003
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
Tigerland, Colin Farrell, Matthew Davis, Clifton Collins Jr., Tom Guiry, Shea Whigham, Russell Richardson, Joel Schumacher, Arnon Milchan, Beau Flynn, Steven Haft, Ross Klavan, Michael McGruther, Drama, R, Vietnam War, Fort Polk, Louisiana, infantry training, defiance, combat, war, gritty, familiar, great cast, critic reviews, box office, budget, reviewed by Emanuel Levy, directed by Joel Schumacher, produced by Arnon Milchan, Beau Flynn, Steven Haft, MPAA rating, 20th Century Fox, Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby Stereo
Worldwide gross: $148,701
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $250,604
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,891
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 27,329
US/Canada gross: $139,692
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $235,421
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,513
US/Canada opening weekend: $26,715
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $45,022
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,245
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $10,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $16,852,884
Production budget ranking: 1,455
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $9,075,278
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$25,677,559
ROI to date (est.): -99%
ROI ranking: 2,021
Matthew Davis – Paxton
Clifton Collins Jr. – Miter
Tom Guiry – Pvt. Cantwell
Shea Whigham – Wilson
Russell Richardson – Johnson
Director(s)
Joel Schumacher
Writer(s)
Ross Klavan, Michael McGruther
Producer(s)
Arnon Milchan, Beau Flynn, Steven Haft
Film Festivals
Sundance
Awards & Nominations
2 wins & 5 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (47) | Top Critics (12) | Fresh (36) | Rotten (11)
This take on Vietnam War doesn’t break new thematic ground but it’s Schumacher’s best film since the 1993 Falling Down, and it showcases the talents of newcomer Colin Farrell, who has everything that it takes to become a major Hollywood star
January 4, 2007 | Rating: B+
Emanuel Levy
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Stylistically this is more interesting and more affected than Schumacher’s Flawless. Either way, it’s a big improvement on his past tendentious nonsense.
June 24, 2006
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
Even when the script overtaxes the allegory about how Vietnam divided a nation at home, Schumacher and the actors prevail by fixing their sights on what happens to men on that last stop before the game of war becomes a grim reality.
June 4, 2001 | Rating: 3.5/5
Peter Travers
Rolling Stone
TOP CRITIC
A beautifully crafted, brilliantly acted and gently moving film that only occasionally lapses into sentimentality.
May 18, 2001 | Rating: 4/5
Adam Smith
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Despite his usual ability to spend more time on set design than he does on actors, Schumacher handles the more intimate setting with great skill.
May 7, 2001 | Rating: 4/5
Ben Falk
BBC.com
TOP CRITIC
For those who don’t mind being challenged, however, and are curious to see why Farrell is being touted as the next big thing, Tigerland has its rewards.
February 26, 2001 | Rating: 3/4
Edward Guthmann
San Francisco Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
It’s nothing like the first half of Full Metal Jacket, but an intriguing companion watch.
July 8, 2020
Tom Meek
Cambridge Day
I wouldn’t put Tigerland in the top ranks of war movies, but it’s a solid second-tier entry that makes you think about the characters.
May 4, 2012 | Rating: 7/10
James Plath
Movie Metropolis
Farrell is the best thing about the film, which veers into oversentimentality quite a bit for a film that’s shot with such a gritty aesthetic.
June 27, 2011 | Rating: 2/4
Eric Melin
Scene-Stealers.com
A talented newcomer with genuine presence, Farrell is able to suggest some complexity in a character that is written without any.
January 12, 2004 | Rating: 2.5/5
Michael Dequina
Film Threat
…never quite catches fire or becomes the searing expose that director Schumacher intended.
August 1, 2003 | Rating: 2.5/4
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews
June 19, 2003 | Rating: 4/5
Walter Chaw
Film Freak Central…
Plot
In September 1971, a platoon of recruits arrives in Ft. Polk, LA, for infantry training before leaving for war. The final week takes place in Tigerland, a swamp similar to Vietnam. Jim Paxton has enlisted; he wants to experience everything and write books later. He befriends Roland Bozz, a cool Texan with a gift for getting into trouble and for helping misfits get discharges. At least one sociopath in the platoon hates Bozz, even as the sergeants grudgingly recognize his leadership abilities. As the platoon heads into its week in Tigerland, Paxton’s body gives out, Bozz makes plans to go AWOL, and the sociopath gets hold of live ammo. Is the Louisiana swamp more dangerous than the DMZ?
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Fresh Kernels praises Colin Farrell’s performance in Tigerland, calling him a “talented newcomer with genuine presence.”
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