The Mauritanian

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The Mauritanian

R

2021

2h 8m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

75%

Tomatometer

220 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Directed by Kevin Macdonald and based on the NY Times best-selling memoir "Guantánamo Diary" by Mohamedou Ould Slahi, this is the inspiring true story of Slahi's fight for freedom after being detained and imprisoned without charge by the U.S. Government for years. Alone and afraid, Slahi (Tahar Rahim) finds allies in defense attorney Nancy Hollander (Jodie Foster) and her associate Teri Duncan (Shailene Woodley) who battle the U.S. government in a fight for justice that tests their commitment to the law and their client at every turn. Their controversial advocacy, along with evidence uncovered by a formidable military prosecutor, Lt. Colonel Stuart Couch (Benedict Cumberbatch), uncovers shocking truths and ultimately proves that the human spirit cannot be locked up.

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Critics Consensus

The Mauritanian takes a frustratingly generic approach to a real-life story that might have been inspirational in other hands, but Tahar Rahim's performance elevates the uneven material.

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Audience Says

Even for audience members who've already been educated about Guantánamo, The Mauritanian will be an eye-opening, gut-wrenching experience.

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Udita Jhunjhunwala

Scroll.in

04/16/2021

Filmed largely indoors and in often claustrophobic spaces, the movie isn't always subtle, but its impact is felt particularly in the scenes featuring Rahim. His powerful performance is supported respectfully by Foster, Cumberbatch and Woodley.

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Mark Kermode

Kermode & Mayo's Film Review

04/06/2021

The subject is charismatic in a way that the film is not. But he is VERY charismatic, and it's his performance that sees this through.

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Simran Hans

Observer (UK)

04/04/2021

3/5

The real-life story is enraging, and it's fun to see Benedict Cumberbatch's morally conflicted military prosecutor lock horns with Foster's icy human rights lawyer.

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Tatsam Mukherjee

Firstpost

Jun 2

Adding little touches, like the way he smells a packet of McDonalds takeaway, to him breaking into a toothy smile when he hears about his younger brother having a second child, Rahim’s performance is close to flawless.

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Geoffrey Macnab

iNews.co.uk

01/16/2025

3/5

It is powerful but one dimensional.

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Diana Tuova

Spotlight on Film

08/09/2024

4/5

Despite its slightly uneven narrative, this film by Kevin Macdonald...is an intelligent legal drama bolstered by powerful performances from both Tahar Rahim...and Jodie Foster.

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Margaret

03/22/2021

It was a very good movie.

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Gloria G

03/18/2021

I liked the fact that it was a true story and well presented. Great to see Jody Foster on the screen again.

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Jill

03/17/2021

Well done! Important to watch and open your eyes!

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Marco L

@decatur555 1d

The Mauritanian is a powerful true story about an injustice that is difficult to comprehend. Mohamedou Ould Slahi spent years imprisoned at Guantánamo without ever being formally charged, while the trial and reliable evidence simply never arrived. Tahar Rahim is extraordinary, giving the film fear, humour, intelligence and dignity without turning Mohamedou into a perfect martyr. Jodie Foster is equally strong as a lawyer who understands that defending someone’s rights means forcing the state to prove its case. The legal-drama structure is fairly conventional, but the reality behind it is disturbing enough. Its interrogation scenes show how isolation, humiliation and torture can produce the confession authorities want, whether it is true or not. Harsh, infuriating and very difficult to forget.

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BONITA L

@bonitamay Jul 11

I disagree strongly with the critics who did not grasp the depth of this story. The multi- dimensional nature of the theme(s) requires an open mind and an honest desire for truth to understand its many layers. The best thing on screen in years.

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Phil D.

@phildub Mar 17

Very good. Very powerful. I couldn’t predict what was coming next and I was completely sucked in. The intense feeling I was having while the movie showed the extent of the characters torture was unexpected. These guys make films, and Tahar Rahim sure can act.

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Kevin Macdonald

Director

Jodie Foster

Nancy Hollander

Tahar Rahim

Mohamedou Ould Slahi

Shailene Woodley

Teri Duncan

Benedict Cumberbatch

Stu Couch

Zachary Levi

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The Mauritanian: Deleted Scene - Revelation

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The Mauritanian: Trailer 2

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The Mauritanian: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Directed by Kevin Macdonald and based on the NY Times best-selling memoir "Guantánamo Diary" by Mohamedou Ould Slahi, this is the inspiring true story of Slahi's fight for freedom after being detained and imprisoned without charge by the U.S. Government for years. Alone and afraid, Slahi (Tahar Rahim) finds allies in defense attorney Nancy Hollander (Jodie Foster) and her associate Teri Duncan (Shailene Woodley) who battle the U.S. government in a fight for justice that tests their commitment to the law and their client at every turn. Their controversial advocacy, along with evidence uncovered by a formidable military prosecutor, Lt. Colonel Stuart Couch (Benedict Cumberbatch), uncovers shocking truths and ultimately proves that the human spirit cannot be locked up.

Director: Kevin Macdonald
Producer: Adam Ackland, Leah Clarke, Benedict Cumberbatch, Lloyd Levin, Beatriz Levin, Mark Holder, Christine Holder, Branwen Prestwood Smith, Michael Bronner
Screenwriter: M.B. Traven, Rory Haines, Sohrab Noshirvani
Distributor: STXfilms
Production Co: Convergent Media., 30West, Shadowplay Features, Great Point Media, SunnyMarch, BBC Films, Topic Studios, Wonder Street
Rating: R (Language|A Sexual Assault|Violence)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 12, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 2, 2021
Box Office (Gross USA): $832.4K
Runtime: 2h 8m