Search - Bat 21 on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Graphic Violence, Not For Children, Adult Language, Profanity, War Violence Movie Release: 1988 DVD Release: 12/05/2000 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV,Pan and Scan - Closed Captioned Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 45 mins Studio: MGM Members Wishing: 7 Genres: War, Docudrama, War Adventure, Combat Films

Based on a true story, Bat 21 follows the harrowing adventures of Lt. Colonel Iceal Hambleton (Gene Hackman), whose plane is shot down over enemy territory while on reconnaissance behind enemy lines in Vietnam. Because Hambleton used to call the shots from behind a desk, he lacks combat survival experience and is forced to adapt while the enemy surrounds him on all sides. As the Air Force plans a risky rescue mission, he is befriended by pilot Bartholomew Clark (Danny Glover), who can't land to pick up Hambleton due to the enemy activity but keeps him company by radio. Hambleton's plight takes a turn for the worse once the brass decide to execute an intensive bombing mission in the area, whether or not they can rescue Hambleton. The colonel, meanwhile, confronted for the first time by the horrors of war, begins to reassess his role in the bloodshed. An overlooked film at the time of its release, Bat 21 is a smaller war picture that focuses on an ordinary man in an excruciating situation, and how it ultimately changes his life. ~ Don Kaye, All Movie Guide

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

Gene Hackman and Danny Glover star in this hard-hitting true story from the Vietnam war, which has been given a sturdy presentation on DVD. Bat 21 has been given two transfers to disc for this release -- one in letterboxed format at the widescreen aspect ratio of 1.78:1 (with the images enhanced for anamorphic playback on 16 x 9 monitors) and a pan-and-scan version at the full-frame ratio of 1.33:1. The audio has been mastered in Dolby Digital Surround; the dialogue is in English, with optional subtitles in French and Spanish. The movie's original trailer is included as a bonus. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide