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Bat 21

Play trailer Poster for Bat 21 R 1988 1h 45m Action Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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82% Tomatometer 17 Reviews 58% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Lt. Col. Iceal Hambleton (Gene Hackman) is shot down behind enemy lines during the waning days of the Vietnam War. His only connection to the outside world is through radio transmission with Capt. Bartholomew "Bird-Dog" Clark (Danny Glover), a pilot who helps him craft an escape plan and maintain his sanity. Lacking survival skills and unfamiliar with the harsh terrain in Vietnam, Hambleton is forced to fight for his life as he witnesses the shocking horrors of war.

Critics Reviews

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Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader 04/05/2010
I was reminded of Hackman's comment in Night Moves that watching a Rohmer film was like watching paint dry - although in this case, it's more like watching blood coagulate. Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety 03/26/2009
A straightforward, surprisingly somber picture that sticks to the facts. Go to Full Review Nigel Floyd Time Out 01/26/2006
An unsatisfactory mix of low-key heroics, buddy-buddy humour, and anti-war sentiment .. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 02/02/2023
3/4
...an above-average endeavor that ranks above many of its similarly-themed brethren. Go to Full Review Cathy Burke United Press International 10/11/2016
Bat 21 belongs to Hackman and Glover, and director Markle has the good sense to let these two veterans take over the show. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 07/10/2005
3/5
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Audience Reviews

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alan g @agenser Aug 9 Good adaptation of tge book. See more thiago s @Thiagostone Apr 27 Filme mais ou menos, o roteiro é mais ou menos, as cenas são mais ou menos, o elenco é bacaninha, e alguns ajudou a melhorar o filme, a história é bacaninha, os personagens sao fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes para fazer o filme ser bom. See more Lisa H Feb 27 I loved this movie, and it made me love Gene Hackman all the more. The connection between he and Danny Glover's character was amazing and how how he portrayed this man, stranded, and not being a fighting soldier and in such a dangerous position and all the challenges he had to try to survive and get home had me on the edge of my seat. Just loved it. See more 01/14/2018 Mediocre war movie. Nothing special See more 10/22/2016 excellent visual for understanding 'Nam...... See more 06/13/2016 A helicopter pilot crashes in war torn Vietnam and is soon rescued. See more Read all reviews
Bat 21

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Cast & Crew

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Peter Markle

Director

Gene Hackman

Lt. Col. Iceal Hambleton

Danny Glover

Capt. Bartholomew Clark

Jerry Reed

Col. George Walker

David Marshall Grant

Ross Carver

Clayton Rohner

Sgt. Harley Rumbaugh

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Bat 21

Bat 21 (1988) Bat 21 (1988) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Lt. Col. Iceal Hambleton (Gene Hackman) is shot down behind enemy lines during the waning days of the Vietnam War. His only connection to the outside world is through radio transmission with Capt. Bartholomew "Bird-Dog" Clark (Danny Glover), a pilot who helps him craft an escape plan and maintain his sanity. Lacking survival skills and unfamiliar with the harsh terrain in Vietnam, Hambleton is forced to fight for his life as he witnesses the shocking horrors of war.
Director
Peter Markle
Producer
Gary A. Neill, David Fisher, Michael Balson
Screenwriter
William C. Anderson
Distributor
MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., TriStar Pictures
Production Co
Eagle Films, Vision PDG, TriStar Pictures
Rating
R
Genre
Action, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 21, 1988, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 29, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA)
$3.2M
Runtime
1h 45m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo