IMDb RATING
6.5/10
9.7K
YOUR RATING
During the Vietnam War, Colonel Hambleton's aircraft is shot down over enemy territory and a frantic rescue operation ensues.During the Vietnam War, Colonel Hambleton's aircraft is shot down over enemy territory and a frantic rescue operation ensues.During the Vietnam War, Colonel Hambleton's aircraft is shot down over enemy territory and a frantic rescue operation ensues.
- Awards
- 1 nomination
Michael Ng
- Vietnamese Man
- (as Rev. Michael Ng)
Stuart B. Hagen
- EB-66 Officer
- (as Stuart Hagen)
Jeffrey Baxter
- Helicopter Gunner
- (as Jeff Baxter)
Bonny Yong
- NVC
- (as Bonnie Yong)
- …
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAs a U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, "Gene" Hambleton commanded the 57first Missile Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, from 1965 to 1971. He is better known as by his tactical radio call-sign, "Bat 21", he used in Vietnam when he was shot down in 1972, while jamming enemy radar, and parachuted behind enemy lines. When on the ground, Colonel Hambleton found himself in the midst of an invasion force of over thirty thousand North Vietnamese troops. While evading capture for eleven days, he used his survival radio to call in air strikes against the invasion force. Rescue crews gave him coded instructions for where to go to be rescued, based on golf courses, on which he had played, at different Air Force bases. Hambleton's harrowing ordeal was recounted in the book Bat 21 (1980), which was made into this movie. He died from cancer on September 19, 2004 at age 85.
- GoofsIn the movie, the aircraft flown by "Bird Dog" was not actually a Cessna O-2 observation aircraft, but was a civilian Cessna 337 Skymaster, painted gray. An O-2 would have multiple windows in the doors and floor to allow visibility of the ground.
- Quotes
Capt. Bartholomew Clark: Let's get the basic relationship down... I'm the lifeguard, you're the drowning man. If you relax, I can bring you to shore. If you fight me, then I'll have to slap you around.
- ConnectionsEdited into Stealth Fighter (1999)
Featured review
Lt Col Iceal Hambleton (Gene Hackman) is a high value target when his aircraft is shot over enemy territory. The Air Force is desperate to get him back and prevent him from falling into enemy hands. Capt Bartholomew Clark (Danny Glover) is the Air Force reconnaissance pilot who guide the down man to safety.
Gene Hackman and Danny Glover are top actors able to project a relationship even if they don't have the face to face interaction. This is based on a true story, but there is still some action. It's not Rambo action, but it's compelling.
The only problem is its predictability. There really isn't any surprises here. It's a functional Vietnam war movie.
Gene Hackman and Danny Glover are top actors able to project a relationship even if they don't have the face to face interaction. This is based on a true story, but there is still some action. It's not Rambo action, but it's compelling.
The only problem is its predictability. There really isn't any surprises here. It's a functional Vietnam war movie.
- SnoopyStyle
- Sep 29, 2013
- Permalink
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Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $3,966,256
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $982,080
- Oct 23, 1988
- Gross worldwide
- $3,966,256
- Runtime1 hour 45 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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