The Outpost is a 2020 war drama film directed by Rod Lurie, based on the 2012 non-fiction book The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor by Jake Tapper, a CNN reporter. The film follows the story of Bravo Troop 3-61 CAV and their battle against Taliban fighters in the Battle of Kamdesh, one of the deadliest and most intense engagements of the Afghanistan War.
The movie focuses on a small group of soldiers of Combat Outpost Keating, situated in a remote and vulnerable location in a valley in northeastern Afghanistan, surrounded by mountains. The outpost was established in 2006, but due to its location, it became a vulnerable target for the Taliban. On October 3, 2009, a coordinated attack by hundreds of Taliban fighters on the outpost left the American soldiers outnumbered and outgunned.
The battle lasted for over eight hours, during which the American soldiers, led by Captain Benjamin Keating, fought bravely, holding off the enemy's assault despite overwhelming odds. They used every resource they had, including artillery, machine guns, and airstrikes, to push back the Taliban and defend their outpost.
The film also portrays the daily life of the soldiers at the outpost, the difficulties they faced in maintaining a base in such a remote location, and the close bonds they formed with each other.
The Outpost features a talented cast, including Scott Eastwood, Caleb Landry Jones, and Orlando Bloom, who portray the soldiers with raw emotions and realistic depictions of the struggles and sacrifices they faced during the Afghanistan War.
The movie received critical acclaim for its authentic and visceral portrayal of the Battle of Kamdesh, with particular praise for its impressive cinematography and intense battle sequences. It also highlights the bravery and resilience of the soldiers who served in the Afghanistan War and the sacrifices they made for their country.