“13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi”, directed by Michael Bay, released Jan. 15, is based on the book “13

Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi” by Mitchell Zuckoff. The story gives a first-hand account from four surviving CIA agents of the treachery and demise that occurred at the CIA base and the American diplomatic compound stationed in Benghazi, Libya.

John Krasinki, James Dale, Pablo Schreiber, David Denman, Dominic Fumusa and Max Martini star in this action-thriller as the six fearless security contractors who use their wits and military skills to defend the U.S. Embassy in a time of peril.

The movie begins when Jack Silva (Krasinki), heads off to Benghazi to meet up with his brother (Dale) and other special operations forces veterans, as contractors on security detail for CIA agents on assignment in Libya.

Ambassador Christopher Stevens is also in Benghazi, to help the Libyans with their political toil after they overthrew their dictator.

The first half of the movie is quite calm and slow, with a bit of action here and there, as Jack and his other team members experience Libyan rival gangs first hand. The movie reaches an intense climb to the climax when Sept. 11 rolls around. Everyone is aware of the potential, albeit very real, threat of an attack on the ambassador. But when it does come, no one is there to help.

As gunfights and Libyan rebels break out all over the diplomatic compound, terror reaches its grip into the hearts of even the audience, helplessly watching the action unfold. Eventually, things happen and plans fall apart; not a good sign.

Back at the Annex, all the people stationed there can do is watch in horror, even the six men who eventually ignore orders to “stand down” and go help. When the first wave of battle is done and over with, only one person is found alive. Quickly, they make it back to the Annex, which supposedly is not even there it is so secretive, where they are forced to regroup as another wave of attack comes their way. This happens over and over again, each attacking being more intense than the last, claiming more and more lives. And still no help comes to the rescue.

As this heart-wrenching thrill ride comes to an end with the (at last) arrival of help on the dawn of Sept. 12, destruction and death is the only thing on people’s minds; a night they shall never forget.

According to CNN, the American public was told by the Secretary of State, then Hillary Clinton, that the underlying cause of these brutal attacks was an anti-Islamic video that was released on YouTube. But Clinton directly lied to the people, including the mourning families of the fallen victims, CNN says. The attack was “multi-pronged, sophisticated assault which was coordinated by Ahmad Abu Khattallah, who is a leading member of the Al Qaeda-affiliated group Ansar al-Sharia,” said the article. This was a planned attack that took four American lives, and mentally scared numerous others. “13 Hours” included a brief synopsis of the tragedy that occurred in Benghazi and remembrance for

Ambassador Christopher Stevens, Navy SEALs Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty and State Information Officer Sean Smith.

13 Hours was a great movie, but is not for the weak-hearted. If blood and gore is your sore spot, do not go watch this movie. But if that does not affect you, put it on your To Watch list. It is rated R, but only for violence and cursing.