'' 13 Hours : The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi '' ( also known simply as '' 13 Hours '' ) is a 2016 American biographical thriller war film directed and produced by Michael Bay and written by Chuck Hogan , based on Mitchell Zuckoff 's 2014 book of the same name . The film follows six members of Annex Security Team who fought to defend the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi , Libya after waves of attacks by militants on September 11 , 2012 . The film stars James Badge Dale , John Krasinski , and Max Martini
attacks by militants on September 11 , 2012
2012 Benghazi attack
13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi