Such is war. Another reason to avoid it. POWs on both sides suffered, those who survived probably suffered longer. Watched "The Winter Soldier" immediately before this film. Together they provide as much about the Vietnamese experience, as the Americans'. So much better now we don't need to fight the threat of global communism. A good made-for-TV with a solid cast with Mako, Holbrook, and Saint.
4 Reviews
a harrowing tale of a true American hero!
dtucker8610 October 2003
I am a Sergeant in the United States Army and I write to celebrities as a hobby. I am very proud to say that I have gotten two letters from Retired Rear Admiral Jeremiah Denton, a true American hero. Denton attended the US Naval Academy in Jimmy Carter's class of 1946 and from then until 1965, he built a brilliant career as a US Naval Officer. He was shot down over North Vietnam on June 18, 1965 and was a prisoner of war until February of 1973, seven and a half years of hell. They did everything to him except kill him. At one point, Admiral Denton was kept in a tiny isolation cell for over three and a half years. He and his fellow POWs are our greatest national treasure. They are men made more of steel then flesh. Hal Holbrook is an amazing actor (you only have to watch him playing Mark Twain to realize this simple fact!). He brings this quality to the role of Admiral Denton. He makes you feel this man's pain but also his courage, bravery and determination as the one prisoner of war that the North Vietnemese could not break no matter what. In fact, Admiral Denton performed a heroic act I wanted to mention. The Viet Cong tortured him horribly until he agreed to make a propaganda statement for them. While he was reading this statement, he blinked his eyes in Morse code to form out the words TORTURE. He told the US authorities about the horror that the POWs were made to endure, this amazing act earned him the Navy Cross when he was released. A word to the squemish, this movie is hard to watch especially during the torture scenes, but every American needs to hear Admiral Denton's incredible story. You will be much the better for it.
A difficult but necessary watch.
mark.waltz8 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Not an easy film to watch, covering the ordeal of tortured men over in Vietnam, flying into enemy territory and instantly captured. The film is seen through the perspective of army colonel Hal Holbrook and his worried wife Eva Marie Saint. She's not worried in the perspective of occasional flashbacks or calls from the army, but ultra important to the story, out there dealing with the military, government and the press, striving for other war wives and their families to get both answers and results. The role of women at home in wartime wasn't just reserved for factory work on the swing shift during World War II or raising money for relief or raising the kids and keeping the house prepared. It was confronting the establishment, being assertive in getting to the truth, and in some cases, getting out there to get their hands dirty by going to the front lines.
As for Holbrook, his situation is painful both physically and emotionally, and watching him mistreated, harassed and left in solitude really gives perspective to the barbaric nature of war. His communicating with other army soldiers and officers who are in similar situations shows how they learn to secretly communicate with each other and plan how to survive no matter what. Saint reaches out to other women and creates a support group, and that makes her as much of a hero as he is. As heartwrenching as this is to watch, it's also inspiring. A TV movie classic that gives Holbrook the chance to emote emotionally while altering his physical look, and Saint to be like Colbert and Loy in those WWII classics and become one of the top movie war wives ever written.
As for Holbrook, his situation is painful both physically and emotionally, and watching him mistreated, harassed and left in solitude really gives perspective to the barbaric nature of war. His communicating with other army soldiers and officers who are in similar situations shows how they learn to secretly communicate with each other and plan how to survive no matter what. Saint reaches out to other women and creates a support group, and that makes her as much of a hero as he is. As heartwrenching as this is to watch, it's also inspiring. A TV movie classic that gives Holbrook the chance to emote emotionally while altering his physical look, and Saint to be like Colbert and Loy in those WWII classics and become one of the top movie war wives ever written.
A must see film!!
ketchkev10 December 2003
I was fortunate enough to see this film back in the early 80's on late night television (long before cable and satellite TV). I only saw it once, but it left a very lasting impression on me. To see the torture on POW's like that is a total cry against humanity. I was literally fighting back tears watching this film, finding it hard to believe that this sort of activity occurs during wartime. My hat goes off to Col. Denton, and I hope more people will learn of his account. He is worthy of all the highest military honors possible. I hope this film doesn't gather dust for too long, and will be shown again soon!
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