Character:

Yuri Orlov

“They say evil prevails when good men fail to act. What they ought to say is, evil prevails.”

Director:

Andrew Niccol

Producers:

Andrew Niccol
Chris Roberts
Nicolas Cage
Norm Golightly
phillip Rousselet
Andy Grosch

Writer:

Andrew Niccol

Co-stars:

Jared Leto
Ethan Hawke
Bridget Moynahan
Eamonn Walker
Ian Holme

Movie Synopsis:

Lord of War is a political thriller highlighting the corruptly powerful place of the illegal international arms trade in the world arena of war.

We are guided through the movie by the voice of the main character Yuri Orlov, who tells the story of his developing career in arms trafficking, that leads to him becoming one of the most powerful players in the illegal arms trade in the world.

At first he has an accomplice, his brother Vitaly, until he becomes addicted to cocaine after Yuri receives the drug in payment for a deal. Managing at first to conceal his true profession, Yuri marries actress Ava and they have a child together, coming home in between deals with world military leaders to buy from and supply them with guns, tanks, and weapons.

Describing himself as a ‘necessary evil’ in arms distribution to protect the identity of governments in the first world, Yuri cleverly manages to avoid detection and arrest at every turn, much to the despair of Interpol agent Jack Valentine, who has been pursuing Yuri and his operations for years.

When Ava eventually finds out about Yuri’s profession through agent Valentine, she asks him to stop and he agrees, for a while turning his business acumen to more legal but far less profitable ventures, but is soon drawn back into his former vocation.

Vitaly, in and out of drug rehab, comes on his next job with tragic consequences, leading to Yuri’s eventual arrest and Interpol agent Valentine is convinced he finally has Yuri for life. But in a final twist, the full extent of the corruption of the arms trade is revealed.

Trailer

Awards

The movie won Special Recognition for Excellence in Filmmaking from the National Board of Review, USA.

Interesting Facts:

Amnesty International officially endorsed Lord Of War for raising awareness around the illegal arms trade and the issue of child soldiers.

The character Yuri Orlov has similarities to real life arms dealer Victor Bout.

Nicolas Cage Movie Quote:

“The script just stuck in my mind after I’d read it. There was something unusual about it. The fact that it was this story of a gunrunner was something I had never seen treated before. “I thought it was dark. Initially, I didn’t think the character would be likeable or that people would want to see this man, and then I thought, ‘Well, that’s what’s unique about it.’” Official Site

http://www.lordofwarthemovie.com/