Am trying to figure out how "1000 true stories" became "Hyena Road"? Can somebody tell me the connection between the two please? Maybe there is some obscure book of this title out there some where that may not even be a war book . Paul Gross would probably be the best person to answer this question as he is listed as screen writer. But seriously I would welcome any discussion as above. The movie was very good as very few Canadian movies about the war have been produced. It is noted that most of the actors were Canadians and parts of the movie filmed in Manitoba on a military base. The rest was filmed in Jordan. Paul Gross sure had his hands full as he starred, produced and wrote the screenplay.

Ask most movie goers about war movies and you'll find that they think the only people involved have been Americans and those they are fighting against. They forget that other countries have been involved in all major wars. HYENA ROAD takes a look at the war on terrorism in Afghanistan and looks at it through the eyes of another fighting force, that of Canada. Jokes have been made at Canada's expense but the fact of the matter is that they've been involved in most major wars as much as any other country (another example was THE DEVIL'S BRIGADE which showed how the US special forces were trained and combined with the Canadian team in WWII).HYENA ROAD takes a look at the current war through the eyes of three main characters. Ryan (Rossif Sutherland) is the head of a sniper team for who the war is cut and dried. Those are the bad guys, we are the good guys, we take them out, period. There are no gray areas. They follow instructions and feel every stop of the way that they are fighting the good fight.The second set of eyes on hand belong to Pete (Paul Gross, the writer and director as well), a member of military intelligence who fights the war as a game of chess, moving players from one spot to another, using every piece of data to make a decision. Pete realizes that there are more things going on that a straight out frontal assault. There are decisions to be made based on the customs of the land and the players involved. Of the three characters Pere probably has a better idea than most of what is happening and will happen.Lastly there is "The Ghost" (Niamatullad Arghandabi). The Ghost was a fierce fighter during the Afghan war against the Russians, a living legend whose stature among his people is highly regarded. In hiding for years Pete wants to find out why he has returned, if he is there to help their cause or that of the enemy. As the story plays out it seems their connection is for the better. But more is going on beneath the surface here.The three stories overlap when Ryan and his team bring back information on the fact that the Ghost is in the area. Having no idea who he is they are contacted by Pete and he fills them in and works with them to set up a meet. When the main bad guy Walid shows and abducts little children the team wants to take him out there and then but Ryan stops them from doing so. Their frustration is palpable and a confrontation with Pete inevitable when they return to camp. But as Pete sits down with Ryan to explain the situation, to let him know that the long game is more important, it doesn't set well with Ryan or his team even though they understand.For the team the line has now been blurred. What is the right thing to do? Who are the fighting? And what plans are in store for both them and the Ghost? While watching the film you begin to understand all the planning and moving of soldiers that are necessary to achieve the final goals of the military but you also witness the fact that other players in the game, mainly the Ghost, have motives and moves of their own. And the main pawns being played by both sides in this game are Ryan and his men.Not only is this movie interesting for the sake of looking at the war from the perspective of the military of another country, the story that it all centers around is fascinating as well. Far too many think of the people of Afghanistan that live in the hills as simple peasants but the truth is they are more shrewd than some give them credit for. They haven't survived for the centuries that they have by being just goat herders. This film treats them as opponents worth of stepping up to the chess board placed on the table by Pete. There are moments in this film that will disturb viewers when they see how children are treated and sold by callous villains. There are moments that will offer glimpses of violence of soldiers in the field that are realistic and gruesome. There are moments of concern you will have for the different characters involved in this story. And in the end you'll leave this film knowing you've seen a war film that tells a story, tells it well and is more realistic than most. This one is worth taking a look at.

This movie is great it feels so real and has been filmed really-really well to make it feel like it for the entire 2 hours. I guess the bad rating for the movie is based on too much military talk and not enough shooting and blasting everything like those boring Hollywood movies with the same endings. This movie is unexpected and is truly great. Would watch this any day over some random Hollywood movie which are all boring and easy to predict what happens and most importantly who survives in the end. So would you rather watch boring movies that are far away from reality or enjoy the real war and dive into this film for 2 hours of awesome experience.

After Hurt Locker and Kilo Two Bravo, it is Canada's chance to create a 'war is hell' movie. This one takes place in Afghanistan, and follows the plot of Canadian soldiers trying to navigate the politics and dangers of creating Hyena Road which is supposed to be a major blow to the Taliban.Let us start with the good. The lead actor, Paul Gross is good as always, playing both narrator and sage to the chaos. His role is the best part of the movie, and he is often able to use humour and subtlety to convey the mood of the film. Clarke Johnson (Canada's adopted son, best known from Homicide Life on the Streets and The Wire) is dreadfully underused, and is really only a cameo. The other actors are fair, but often can't make much out of a very cliché and limited script.Also good is some of the early action. Smaller engagements look and feel authentic. Snipers with sighters taking range and careful considerations is interesting and dramatic. What is not good is the larger action sequences which seem forced and choppy. We will see enemies miles away, suddenly to appear all around our heroes. Hurt Locker was good because the very little action was so realistic and limited that it was dramatic. The blend of action feels more like Fast and The Furious than Generation Kill or Hurt Locker.The bad. Plot and flow are enemies to this movie just as the Taliban are supposedly the enemies to peace in Afghanistan. Maybe the director wanted us to get a glimpse of 'life' in their world, but the audience does not get a sense of conflation of war, but frustration and boredom at a snails pace plot, and confusing at the what is supposed to be happening.Overall, as a piece of Canadiana, Hyena Road was worth a watch. It is fun to see Canadians in the field, both bad and good. It is also nice to see some diverse actors and some point of view from Afghan residents. This is not a good movie, but a pretty bad movie with some very good things in it.If you are a Canadian history nut or a hard core Paul Gross (or Clark Johnson like me!) you should see this, otherwise there is very little reason to watch this. 5/10