Bat 21 (DVD, 2009)

Movie description
Down behind enemy lines during the Vietnam War, an officer must rely on a scout pilot to risk his life and his military career to rescue him. Based on the book by William C. Anderson.

Cast: Gene Hackman

Based on true events in the lives of Lieutenant Colonel Iceal Hambleton and Captain Bartholomew "Bird Dog" Clark, which occurred during the Vietnam War.

An Air Force colonel (Gene Hackman) who knows his way around a golf
course but has no combat experience is trapped behind enemy lines
during the Vietnam War after his aircraft, a B 52 bomber, is shot
down by enemy missles. His only link to the outside world is
through a radio connection with Captain Bart Clark (Danny Glover)
who flys a OV-10 observation aircraft. The pair know they are being
tracked so they develop a code based on Hackmans favorite pastime,golf,
to evade detection. A major airstrike is scheduled for the area that
the colonel is trying to get rescued from, so time is limited.
The movie is based on a true story that occurred during the Vietnam
War. Director Peter Markle has done most of his directing in the
TV area (many episodes of CSI seasons 1 & 2 are his as are many of
the X-files season 6 & 8 were directed by Markle), still he has some
big screen movies that have done well-HIGH NOON - 2009 edition and
Flight 93. BAT 21 is a good movie, but not great, and you will enjoy
a nights entertainment with it-especially if you are a war movie lover,
or if you enjoy action & adventure. There is some suspense also as
Colonel Hamblin trys to evade the NVA troops trying to capture him.

This is a great movie about an older military man that ends up getting shot down behind enemy lines. Hunted by the enemy army that knows there is an import lone man in their area, he uses his years of military experience to elude them. With only limited contact with a spotter pilot, he manuvers through miles of enemy teritory. Calling for air strikes on targets as he goes, he searchs for a place he can be safely extracted. Not an easy task when the enemy is monitoring your every communication.

The dedication of both downed pilot and rescue pilot is amazing.Hackman using "golf" for a rescue jargon was unique and original. Keeps you watching the whole time. One set back after another was so frustrating.Based on a book this story line stayed close to the real facts.What a great addition to any dvd collection,this story is not really about the war itself but the rescue of the downed pilot. Worth watching!!

A great Viet Nam movie with great acting on all parts. The story has some inaccuracies in it, but thats to be expected. A exciting true story of a pilot behind enemy lines trying to get rescued and it highlights the very dangerous role of the FAC Forward Air Control) pilots as well as their recue teams. A great movie of a great story.