If you read the book Bat 21, you will see that this film is pretty much a complete work of fiction. Certainly Hambleton existed and got shot down but that seems to be pretty much it!
Even so to me its a very enjoyable film, but as usual, its really a work of fiction.
Thanks hjr2000, I already had my doubts about the reality of this movie. But as you pointed out: this is a very enjoyable movie as long as you see it as a work of fiction.
In my opinion, with 6.2 by 1467 voters, the movie is quite underrated. I would give it a 7.5/10.
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I saw my whole life flash before my eyes! ...It was boring! (Chicken Run)
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I believe you nswucqbseal. I don't see any reason why I shouldn't. You're obviously much better informed about what really happened back then than most people are.
I agree with you that what Hollywood does can't be called else than a disgrace. Too often reality is sacrificed for the spectacular and more commercial storyline and that's really too bad. But than again, what can we do about it? I guess nothing, except for being very critical towards everything that is shown.
Thanks a lot for your personal comment on this issue anyway. It's good that there are people who still try to reveil the truth about certain facts.
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I saw my whole life flash before my eyes! ...It was boring! (Chicken Run)
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nswucqbseal -
I agree with your disappointment with Hollywood's handling of real incidents.
(The History Channel ran Bat 21 earlier today, followed by "Dangerous Missions: Forward Observers" (2001) - a double-feature. In the introduction, the commentator said, "You'll see how Hollywood's version compares with the documentary". If you get the History Channel, check out their website as they will probably rerun it.)
However, I do see value in simply good storytelling in the medium used for the telling. With movies, an 'actual truth' can be portrayed without representing 'actual facts' - the strength is in the emotional impact which can even be "double-underlined" (for the majority of us humans who are incapable of getting a clue until we trip over it and fall down several flights of stairs; Then, maybe, we might stop and take a real good look.).
But I think Hollywood could have had better entertainment, told a better tale (to inspire the higher possibilities of the human nature that people would have remembered, and watched, for years) IF it had been handled by more capable hands. Character is revealed in the details.
The disregard of, and thus the disrespect for, the details is ultimately an affront to a story about character - the unneccessary inaccuracies show the writers did not fully comprehend the story they were telling. The overt inaccuracies were insulting (The day is saved because he disobeyed his commanding officer???).
Might be better if Hollywood had a 'Fiction'/'NonFiction' designation so people would at least pause to consider that 'artistic license' and 'grossly negligent materialism' contribute a larger part to the end product than the true story it was 'based on'.
That said, I do believe the movie Bat 21 as a story has a lot to recommend it - if the deficiencies can be tolerated - and that it handles some aspects of a subtler storyline better than many movies have... but not as well as others. Think I'll go put on 'Braveheart', now.
I agree with you that what Hollywood does can't be called else than a disgrace. Too often reality is sacrificed for the spectacular and more commercial storyline and that's really too bad. But than again, what can we do about it? I guess nothing, except for being very critical towards everything that is shown.
The funny thing is the real account of this story is far better than the movies portrayal! It's more dramatic and interesting...There were two pilots and they both knew how to fly! How lame is it that glover's character wanted to see combat so he stole a helicopter? GODDAMNIT! the golf part at the end! that was fishing gear...disobeying a direct order, HAHA. Lt. Thomas Norris was a navy seal and won a medal of honour for this action, they don't give medals to guys who disobey orders. Why does Hollywood always glorify the guys who disobey orders? He rescues both pilots seperately and not simply with daring but with intelligence and cunning. I could go on and on about all the other examples of how the real account was better than the movie but I think you get the picture. A prime example of Hollywood missing the point, again. Come to mention it around this time it was VERY popular to make antiwar (esp. anti-Vietnam) films. So essentially it's Hollywood doing what it does best, jumping on the band wagon...
beriky
I think they jumped the gun on this movie as weird as it sounds. I think the true story is way more exciting and entertaining than the movie version. They should remake it or something.
shareUgh, you couldn't be more wrong.
Besides the fantasy story, the dialogue is HORRIBLE, absolutely ear cringing. Horrible cliches, unnatural phrasing, totally illogical story. The script sounds like it was written by someone who doesn't even speak English.
The storyline itself is full of cliched American "whoop em up" bits from comic books or something.
The whole thing is a giant mismade mess.
This is how Hollywood worked in the 80s...this is how they continue to work right now.
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Thorpe89
This film is a work of fiction