The 2018 film “12 Strong” is based on author Doug Stanton’s non-fiction book Horse Soldiers, which retells the story of U.S. Special Forces secretly deployed to Afghanistan just weeks after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, where they rode on horses in the new fight against the Taliban.
Capt. Mitch Nelson — a character inspired by former Green Beret commander Mark Nutsch — enters into Afghanistan for an extremely dangerous mission, and leads a U.S. Special Forces team to do so. When they arrive, the team develops an uneasy partnership with the Northern Alliance in order to tackle the Taliban and its al-Qaida allies. The men become outnumbered, and find themselves surrounded in a fight against a ruthless enemy that takes no prisoners.
Below are the top 5 scenes from the film:
1. Opening.
This scene below is one of the most important scenes from the films because it depicts the September 11 attacks, and shows Captain Mitch Nelson’s reaction to going to war. The scene shows the feeling that all American’s felt when they saw the attacks on the television, and the impact it had on their small children as well.
2. You and 11 Men.
This scene is especially important because it emphasizes the unchartered territory the war had in store for the U.S. military. “There’s no playbook here,” Capt. Mitch Nelson says when expressing the reality of the war. When the U.S. went to war in Afghanistan, it was a new type of battle, and many soldiers did not know who the enemy was when fighting. Another notable point was the troops facing the reality of leaving their families for this unknown war.
3 “Who’s Ridden Before?”
The scene below adds a little humor to an overall serious movie as the team navigates their new mode of transportation – horseback. As their mission requires them to ride horses in the desert, it also shows the cultural differences in the war, that they were unable to prepare for before deployment.
4. This Isn’t Just Your War, General.
This scene below plays a huge role within the film because it shows the connection between the U.S. and the allied forces in Afghanistan to beat the Taliban. Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum pushes back against the U.S. mission into Mazar-i-Sharif, and casts doubt on the capabilities of the 12-man U.S. team. However, Capt. Mitch Nelson insists they’ll go on without Afghan support.
5. Battle Scene.
This scene is the prime battle scene in the film. The clip shows the true danger and violence of the war in Afghanistan, and the true hatred from the Taliban towards U.S. troops. The scene also shows the skill and determination of the U.S. military in their fight against terrorism.
