Uncommon Valor (1983)

"Uncommonly Good Acting"

I feel this is Gene Hackman at his best as an actor. It had one hundreth or less the budget of "Saving Private Ryan," "Platoon" and many others, but it scored just as high in the thought-provoking and action departments. Based on a true story about a retired officer that is determined to go find his MIA son in Laos, he recruits hand-picked Viet Nam vets to assist him in his quest. Where does hardened soldier and tender father separate? Gene shows us both. Great acting by Hackman, Robert Stack (Untouchables, Unsolved Mysteries) Patrick Swayzee and even by Randall "Tex" Cobb. October 27, 2008

Best of all the '80's Vietnam movies

This movie was forerunner to all the other '80's Vietnam movies with a storyline of finding MIA's in Vietnam. By far it is the best of them all! My wife is not a big fan of military movies but even she loved this movie. I would pick this movie above any others including the Chuck Norris series (Missing in Action) or even Stallone's Rambo (First Blood Part 2). If you get only one Vietnam MIA movie...this is the one you need. March 24, 2008

Never leave a man behind

It's every soldier's worst fear: being left behind on the field of battle. Many believe that several soldiers in Vietnam suffered this ultimate fate. It's America's duty to not only seek POWs, but to also bring them home. When red-tape and politics stand in the way as a hindrance to freedom, drastic measures are necessary.

Gene Hackman plays Jason Rhodes, a Korea vet who has been hired by Harry McGregor (Robert Stack) to succeed where democracy has failed. Both have sons they believe to be POWs in Vietnam, and they intend to organize a daring rescue mission.

Rhodes gathers many members from his son's former unit, a motley crew consisting of an explosives expert (Blaster - played by Reb Brown); a tunnle-rat, jungle warfare expert (Wilkes - played by Fred Ward); a wild man, warrior who is a little too attached to a grenade (Sailor - played by Randall "Tex" Cobb), and two helicopter pilots (played by Tim Thomerson and Harold Sylvster) for the evacuation of POWs. They set up training at a replica POW camp in Galveston, TX - financed by McGregor. There, they meet with Scott, played by Patrick Swayze, whose father is MIA in Vietnam. Scott desperately wants to go on the mission, and his presence amongst seasoned vets creates tension at first. Eventually, however, the team bonds, Scott is treated as equal, and the team is ready for the mission.

What follows is a daring rescue mission with selfless acts, incredible heroism, daring rescues, and a perfect resolution - the ending all viewers want.

One of the most unheralded Vietnam movies out there, and one of the best. It leaves a vivid message that our government should follow, and our enemies should fear: we never leave a man behind. No matter how difficult, dangerous, or politically incorrect, ALL troops should return home. January 6, 2008

uncommon valor

I just love this movie, so happy that i could purchase this and own it September 4, 2007

One of the bad movies about Vietnam war.

I think some people like this film because it's about American soldiers listed as missing in action but they're believed still alive.

I can ignore a lot of logical holes in this picture but there are things I can't ignore. Below is the listing of those.
The hand-to-hand fighting scenes look outrageously fake.
The acting of everybody except Gene Hackman is wooden.

There's only one good scene. It's when in his dream, Gene Hackman saw his son, at that time, he was just a small kid asking his Dad "Can I sleep with you tonight?". When Gene woke up, he realized his son was now listed as missing in action in Vietnam.

There only two films on my list of Best Vietnam War movies. They're "We were soldiers" and "Hamburger Hill".
August 8, 2007

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