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Bat*21 (Bat 21) (1988)

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Average Rating: 6.1/10
Reviews Counted: 10
Fresh: 8 | Rotten: 2

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 2
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 1

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Average Rating: 3.1/5
User Ratings: 8,031

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Movie Info

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

R, 1 hr. 52 min.

Drama, Action & Adventure

Directed By: Peter Markle

Written By: William C. Anderson, George Gordon

In Theaters: Oct 21, 1988 Wide

On DVD: Dec 19, 2000

Media Home Entertainment

Bat*21 (Bat 21) Trailer & Photos

Cast

Gene Hackman
Lt. Col. Iceal Hambleto...
Danny Glover
Capt. Bartholomew Clark
Jerry Reed
Col. George Walker
David Marshall Grant
Ross Carver
Clayton Rohner
Sgt. Harley Rumbaugh
Erich Anderson
Maj. Jake Scott
Joe Dorsey
Col. Douglass
Timothy Fitzgerald
EB-66 Officer
Stuart Hagen
EB-66 Officer
Scott Howell
Helicopter Crew
Alan King
Helicopter Gunner
Rev. Michael Ng
Vietnamese Man
Michael Raden
Helicopter Crew
Theodore Chan Woei-Shyong
Boy on Bridge
Don Ruffin
Helicopter Crew
Jeff Baxter
Helicopter Gunner
Willie Lai
NVA/VC Officer
Bonnie Young
NVA/VC Officer
Michael Lee

Critic Reviews for Bat*21 (Bat 21)

All Critics (15) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (8) | Rotten (2)

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.

April 5, 2010 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

| Comment

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

Faithful adaptation of the book.

April 22, 2005 Comment

Michael A. Smith

Nolan's Pop Culture Review Source: Nolan's Pop Culture Review

Enjoyable Vietnam War actioner with a good dynamic between Hackman and Glover.

March 19, 2003 Comment

Brian Mckay

eFilmCritic.com

A good story overwhelmed by routine filmmaking.

January 14, 2003 Comment

Rob Vaux

Flipside Movie Emporium

Great chemistry between Glover and Hackman highlight this intense little war flick.

July 26, 2002 Comment

Scott Weinberg

eFilmCritic.com

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Bat*21 (Bat 21)

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An ok film about a man trapped behind enemy lines in the vietnam war with a good cast.

March 18, 2007

Dean !

Super Reviewer

Bog standard militaristic flagwaving from Hollywood, as the two stars run around behind enemy lines while spouting golf terms through a walkie talkie. Hackman keeps it bearable; the only poignant moment is when he actually sees the results of his orders in human cost on the ground. But that's of course quickly glossed

May 13, 2007