This has to be the first Vietnam film to get the balance right between the old-style combat movie and the Platoon bloodbath. And it mixes rugged action and dialogue with continuous suspense. It laments the loss of life and the agony involved, without losing sight of the continuation of its exciting storyline or of the necessities of war. Lovers of action, compassionate thinkers and pacifists will all find satisfaction here. On top of that, the true story of a lieutenant-colonel (Gene Hackman) stranded deep in Vietcong territory with knowledge vital to the enemy, and his friendship through radio with the reconnaissance pilot (Danny Glover) who becomes determined to save him, works on all levels. The actors are terrific, the action exciting and unsparing and the script rarely puts a foot wrong. Poignant vignettes punctuate the tension without breaking it. Good? As Glover would say, that's a copy!

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