I recently purchased "Charlie Wilson's War" and was watching it over the July 4 weekend. At track 17 the choppers and planes begin to be shot down. At that point, the music sounded VERY familiar and I thought I recognized it almost immediately. The next day I checked. Sure enough, it is an adaptation, almost note for note, of the second chorus from Part One of G.F. Handel's "Messiah" .... "And He shall purify ...." What wonderful irony at that moment to have Charlie as a Christian Saviour come to help the Mujahideen. And should there be any doubt about the music, it carries over into the next scene which is the CIA Christmas party. What more appropriate music to have a Christmas party than the "Messiah". Brilliant. Hats off to Mr. Howard.

I agree with everything you said, this cue is indeed brilliant. One of my favorite cues from JNH.