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In the Valley of Elah

  • 20072007
  • RR
  • 2h 1m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
72K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron in In the Valley of Elah (2007)
Home Video Trailer from Warner Independent Pictures
Play trailer0:32
5 Videos
49 Photos
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Mystery

A retired military investigator works with a police detective to uncover the truth behind his son's disappearance following his return from a tour of duty in Iraq.A retired military investigator works with a police detective to uncover the truth behind his son's disappearance following his return from a tour of duty in Iraq.A retired military investigator works with a police detective to uncover the truth behind his son's disappearance following his return from a tour of duty in Iraq.

IMDb RATING
7.2/10
72K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Paul Haggis
  • Writers
    • Paul Haggis(screenplay)
    • Mark Boal(story)
  • Stars
    • Tommy Lee Jones
    • Charlize Theron
    • Jonathan Tucker
Top credits
  • Director
    • Paul Haggis
  • Writers
    • Paul Haggis(screenplay)
    • Mark Boal(story)
  • Stars
    • Tommy Lee Jones
    • Charlize Theron
    • Jonathan Tucker
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 256User reviews
    • 234Critic reviews
    • 65Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 3 wins & 22 nominations total

    Videos5

    In The Valley of Elah
    Trailer 0:32
    In The Valley of Elah
    In The Valley of Elah
    Clip 1:13
    In The Valley of Elah
    In The Valley of Elah
    Clip 0:54
    In The Valley of Elah
    In The Valley of Elah
    Clip 0:43
    In The Valley of Elah
    In The Valley of Elah
    Clip 1:32
    In The Valley of Elah

    Photos49

    Best Actor
    Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron in In the Valley of Elah (2007)
    Charlize Theron in In the Valley of Elah (2007)
    Tommy Lee Jones in In the Valley of Elah (2007)
    Susan Sarandon in In the Valley of Elah (2007)
    Charlize Theron in In the Valley of Elah (2007)
    Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron in In the Valley of Elah (2007)
    Charlize Theron in In the Valley of Elah (2007)
    Charlize Theron and Paul Haggis in In the Valley of Elah (2007)
    Roger Deakins in In the Valley of Elah (2007)
    Paul Haggis in In the Valley of Elah (2007)
    Charlize Theron at an event for In the Valley of Elah (2007)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Tommy Lee Jones
    Tommy Lee Jones
    • Hank Deerfieldas Hank Deerfield
    Charlize Theron
    Charlize Theron
    • Det. Emily Sandersas Det. Emily Sanders
    Jonathan Tucker
    Jonathan Tucker
    • Mike Deerfieldas Mike Deerfield
    Jason Patric
    Jason Patric
    • Lt. Kirklanderas Lt. Kirklander
    Susan Sarandon
    Susan Sarandon
    • Joan Deerfieldas Joan Deerfield
    James Franco
    James Franco
    • Sgt. Dan Carnellias Sgt. Dan Carnelli
    Barry Corbin
    Barry Corbin
    • Arnold Bickmanas Arnold Bickman
    Josh Brolin
    Josh Brolin
    • Chief Buchwaldas Chief Buchwald
    Frances Fisher
    Frances Fisher
    • Evieas Evie
    Wes Chatham
    Wes Chatham
    • Corporal Steve Penningas Corporal Steve Penning
    Jake McLaughlin
    Jake McLaughlin
    • Spc. Gordon Bonneras Spc. Gordon Bonner
    Mehcad Brooks
    Mehcad Brooks
    • Spc. Ennis Longas Spc. Ennis Long
    Wayne Duvall
    Wayne Duvall
    • Detective Nugentas Detective Nugent
    Roman Arabia
    Roman Arabia
    • Private Robert Ortiezas Private Robert Ortiez
    • (as Victor Wolf)
    Brent Briscoe
    Brent Briscoe
    • Detective Hodgeas Detective Hodge
    Greg Serano
    Greg Serano
    • Detective Manny Nunezas Detective Manny Nunez
    • (as Greg Serrano)
    Brent Sexton
    Brent Sexton
    • Lt. Burkeas Lt. Burke
    Devin Brochu
    Devin Brochu
    • David Sandersas David Sanders
    • Director
      • Paul Haggis
    • Writers
      • Paul Haggis(screenplay) (story)
      • Mark Boal(story)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    In Monroe, Tennessee, Hank Deerfield, an aging warrior, gets a call that his son, just back from 18 months' fighting in Iraq, is missing from his base. Hank drives to Fort Rudd, New Mexico, to search. Within a day, the charred and dismembered body of his son is found on the outskirts of town. Deerfield pushes himself into the investigation, marked by jurisdictional antagonism between the Army and local police. Working mostly with a new detective, Emily Sanders, Hank seems to close in on what happened. Major smuggling? A drug deal gone awry? Credit card slips, some photographs, and video clips from Iraq may hold the key. If Hank gets to the truth, what will it tell him? —<jhailey@hotmail.com>
    • murder investigation
    • mexican
    • charge
    • coffeeshop
    • dead boy
    • 231 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Sometimes finding the truth is easier than facing it.
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Drama
      • Mystery
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for violent and disturbing content, language and some sexuality/nudity
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This film was originally a potential starring vehicle for Clint Eastwood, who directed Paul Haggis' screenplay for Million Dollar Baby (2004). Eastwood turned it down, despite liking the script very much, and recommended his friend Tommy Lee Jones for the role of Hank Deerfield.
    • Goofs
      The opening subtitle says that the Deerfields live in "Munro, Tennessee", but the address on the side of Hank's truck says "Munroe, Tennessee".
    • Quotes

      Chief Buchwald: But didn't you just say that you would do whatever you were told?

      Det. Emily Sanders: Yeah, I sometimes exaggerate for effect.

    • Crazy credits
      Jason Patric does not appear at all in the end credits. Since he plays a pivotal role in the film and is seen in many of the scenes, it seems odd that he is uncredited for this role in this film.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: The Brave One/The Hottest State/Mr. Woodcock/In the Valley of Elah/Across the Universe (2007)
    • Soundtracks
      Shu44le
      Written by Robin Davey and Jesse Davey

      Performed by The Davey Brothers

      Courtesy of The Davey Brothers

    User reviews256

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Valley of Elah is a good Murder mystery
    Paul Hagas's "In the Valley of Elah" follows carefully and closely all the long held and well affirmed standards of any good murder mystery. For anyone who really enjoys this Genre you won't be disappointed.

    That being said I believe the performances also strengthen this story. Tommy Lee Jones hands in a subdued yet internally complex performance the like I've never seen him do before. He is tough and yet has the sensitivity necessary to drive the character along to where it needs to go. Susan Sarandon gives a strong performance as the mother of a missing soldier. She is placed in the position of an actress having to create a great role from a small part and pulls it off by tapping what must be very heartfelt emotions.

    Ms. Theron is good and carries off her part well. She is once again not afraid to look bad in order to carry a role. It is a good performance...that's all. I'm not writing home to Mom over it though. The rest of the cast is very strong and gives me great hope for the future of Film making in this country. The cast works well together and makes a compelling story.

    The part of this film that is the Star and center piece is Paul Hagas's script. He sets up the characters and situations in a direct and fast manner. The storyline is consistent and flows well and as I mentioned he follows the correct direction that any good murder mystery should. He also makes us aware of the growing struggles of our soldiers and what is going on as a result of this war in Iraq. Please see this film and look at it for what it is...a good mystery with great performances.
    helpful•54
    37
    • jafredderf-1
    • Sep 15, 2007

    FAQ1

    • What is the significance of the title?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 28, 2007 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Warner Bros (France)
      • Warner Independent Pictures (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Death and Dishonor
    • Filming locations
      • Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
    • Production companies
      • Warner Independent Pictures (WIP)
      • NALA Films
      • Summit Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $6,777,741
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $133,557
      • Sep 16, 2007
    • Gross worldwide
      • $29,541,790
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 1 minute
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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