Just weeks before its scheduled release, MGM Distribution Company has moved its epic war movie Windtalkers from Nov 9 to June 14, 2002, to avoid any uncertainties that might affect the box office in the wake of the Sept 11 tragedy.

Windtalkers is one of the biggest films to emerge from Chris McGurk's regime at MGM, and sources say that the studio did not want to risk a compromised audience reaction. Directed by John Woo and starring Nicolas Cage, the film is the story of the Navajo Indians recruited as Marines during the Second World War to use their language as code. Cage plays a marine assigned to protect a Navajo code talker (Adam Beach). Also starring are Peter Stormare, Noah Emmerich, Mark Ruffalo, Frances O'Connor and Christian Slater.

'Windtalkers ...is a film that both the filmmakers and the studio are extremely proud of," said studio marketing chief Bob Levin in a statement. "It is a vivid and realistic story inspired by true events that took place during World War II. The story is one of sacrifice, heroism and courage. We feel certain that this great film will be enjoyed by the broadest possible audience during the strong summer play period."