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Bat 21

Play trailer Poster for Bat 21 R,  1988,  1h 45m,  Action/ Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 82% 17 Reviews Tomatometer 57% 5,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
82% Tomatometer 17 Reviews 57% 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 Apr 5, 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 Mar 26, 2009
A straightforward, surprisingly somber picture that sticks to the facts. Go to Full Review
Nigel Floyd Time Out Jan 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 Feb 2, 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 Oct 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 Jul 10, 2005
3/5
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Bat 21

My Rating

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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) 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
TriStar Pictures, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
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
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