SummaryDuring the Vietnam War, Colonel Hambleton's (Gene Hackman) aircraft is shot down over enemy territory and a frantic rescue operation ensues.
Directed By:Peter Markle
Written By:William C. Anderson, George Gordon
Bat*21
Metascore
Mixed or Average
58
User score
Generally Favorable
7.2
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Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
38% Positive
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
46% Mixed
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
15% Negative
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
80
It's hard to imagine what the film might have been with anyone other than Mr. Hackman in this role, for this actor's quintessential decency and ordinariness have never seemed more affecting. It's precisely the lack of bravado in Hambleton that makes him an interesting character, and a poignant anti-Rambo.
75
Director Peter Markle, whose credits include TV documentaries and commercials as well as "Young Blood," has taken pains to make this a craftsmanlike production, shot in Malaysia, full of laborious attention to detail and enterprising stunt flying. Regrettably, the script doesn`t fly quite as smoothly.
63
What we have here is a solid war story with excellent performances, but a largely superficial look at Vietnam's atrocities. If Bat 21 says anything, it's that Hollywood is reluctant to release any more pure-action Vietnam pictures. However thin, there must be some message to the madness. [21 Oct 1988, p.E8]
60
Indeed, there's so much cutting between Hackman on the ground and Glover in the sky, the overwhelming feeling at the end of Bat 21 is relief that the viewer was able to get through the ordeal without a dose of Dramamine. [21 Oct 1988, p.6]
60
Hackman turns in his usual solid performance, and Glover is strong as the pilot who develops a deep empathy for the officer, although the device of having the men interact almost entirely by radio limits development of their relationship.
50
Certain scenes achieve a genuine tension, as when Hackman has to watch a captured chopper pilot sent into a waterlogged minefield by NVA soldiers; but this is immediately undercut by a retaliatory bombing raid that destroys a camouflaged NVA hideout, regardless of civilian casualties. Like the film as a whole, such scenes elicit sympathy more for the tacitly guilty Hackman than for the innocent victims.
30
Well-acted but otherwise conventional war hokum.
User score
Generally Favorable
60% Positive
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
40% Mixed
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
Mar 20, 2020
9
Bat 21 is a drama/ war movie made in 1988 and has many well crafted, made and directed action scenes. There's a couple of rescue attempts and the first involving a few helicopters which sadly costs one of the pilots (David Marshall Grant) his own life as he steps on a mine then gets shot and others in the chopper too. Peter Markle brings beautiful scenery and through most of the film a peaceful tranquil vibe and atmosphere which is nice but the war scenes and violence dull the peaceful atmosphere at times. There's many explosions and bombs going off in Bat 21 which look impressive to add to the violence and misery of the situation. The film opens with Lt. Colonel Iceal Hambleton (Gene Hackman) playing golf then seconds later a huge helicopter lands to collect Hackman. Moments after he is briefed on some mission or something then his aircraft goes down leaving him stranded near enemy territory but he keeps a low profile most of the time, avoiding the enemy. Not long after he parachutes out of the downed craft another aircraft fly's along and Danny Glover who's the pilot and codenamed "Bird Dog" gets a communication from Bat 21 (Hackman) and both stay in touch daily and Glover always wants a exact fix on Hackman's position. Days go by until two rescue attempts to get Hackman out of there are done but the first fails but Glover is Hackman's only chance to be rescued since he's in danger and stranded near enemy personnel. One of the best and beautiful war movies ever made with very violent scenes, blood and suspense. Bat 21 delivers top notch entertainment.
Apr 14, 2019
8
Good acting in this realistic story with a lot of suspense. The scenery appears to be just like Vietnam. The only flaw is that the north Vietnamese soldiers were carrying m-16's, instead of ak-47's. All in all a very good movie worth seeing again.
Production Company:
- Vision PDG
- Eagle Films
- Bat 21 Limited L.P.
- Tri-Star Pictures
Release Date:Oct 21, 1988
Duration:1 h 45 m
Rating:R
Tagline:Trapped behind enemy lines. A whole army after him... And only one man can save him.
Awards
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards
• 1 Nomination
