Shooting Dogs

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Shooting Dogs

R

2007

1h 55m

History

Drama

War

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

65 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

In 1994 Rwanda, simmering tensions between Hutus and Tutsis boil over into full-scale genocide. Two men, a priest named Father Christopher (John Hurt) and British schoolteacher Joe Connor (Hugh Dancy), get caught up in the conflict and stay behind to help those who seek shelter at the Ecole Technique Officielle.

Critics Consensus

Complex, human characters and on-location shooting give Beyond the Gates palpable tension and urgency.

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

01/04/2008

This is a spiritual drama, not a political one, drawing a thick line between our good intentions and the selfish choices we ultimately make.

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Stephen Holden

New York Times

08/11/2007

3.5/5

Though less reassuring and not as dramatically coherent as Hotel Rwanda, it still packs a hard punch.

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Marc Savlov

Austin Chronicle

06/01/2007

2.5/5

The film grinds inexorably toward its unsurprising and terrible conclusion with infinite grace but no real suspense.

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

09/02/2020

2.5/4.0

A more historically accurate, yet less cinematically satisfying look at the events that unfolded in Rwanda during 1994.

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Christian Toto

Washington Times

07/13/2008

3/4

Beyond the Gates takes an unflinching look at the start of the Rwandan genocide.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 07/22/2025

Based on a true story in 1 hour and 55 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Language, Disturbing Images and Strong Violence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $38,300.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy 20th anniversary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Bulgantamir B

@RT36664197 08/08/2024

I liked the main idea of the movie

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Godfrey D

@RT74548902 08/07/2024

Its a really good movie.

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Me A

@RT76032046 01/17/2024

A much better watch is Sometimes In April where the story actually focuses on Rwandan people (them being the main ones affected by the atrocities) and how they personally were affected and not on the side characters.

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Ewan M

@RT00268942 12/03/2023

Shocking events in Rwanda highlighted in this excellent film.

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02/04/2016

A difficult subject well told, and a useful, and shocking guide to the true events of the Rwandan Genocide, and how some failed to act appropriately.

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Michael Caton-Jones

Director

John Hurt

Father Christopher

Hugh Dancy

Joe Connor

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Synopsis

In 1994 Rwanda, simmering tensions between Hutus and Tutsis boil over into full-scale genocide. Two men, a priest named Father Christopher (John Hurt) and British schoolteacher Joe Connor (Hugh Dancy), get caught up in the conflict and stay behind to help those who seek shelter at the Ecole Technique Officielle.

Director: Michael Caton-Jones
Producer: David Belton, Pippa Scott, Jens Meurer
Screenwriter: David Wolstencroft
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: BBC, UK Film Council, Egoli Tossell Films
Rating: R (Language|Disturbing Images|Strong Violence)
Genre: History, Drama, War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 9, 2007, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $38.3K
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital