Strong and Moving!

How sad is this?

A different way of telling a story

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

"Flight of the Intruder" had the potential to be a very good war film, about the Vietnam War. It seems odd that the billing for the movie doesn't show it as a war movie, but as an action, thriller and drama film. The story is about war, the people involved and how it affects them. That is according to Stephen Coonts, author of the book by the same name. The story is fiction but it's based on his experience and nine years of U.S. Navy service, including two combat cruises as a Grumman A-6 Intruder pilot. When Coonts tried to get his book published, 30 publishers wouldn't even look at it. Four others rejected it and two others hadn't responded. Finally, the Naval Institute Arm (connected informally with the U.S. Naval Academy) published it. The Institute had a big success with the earlier publication of "The Hunt for Red October" that went on to be a smash hit movie. This book also became a big hit and was a best seller. Unfortunately, the movie didn't fare as well. Paramount hired John Millius to direct the film. He had a string of very good screenplays and films directed with war themes. Those included "Red Dawn" of 1984, screenplay and direction; screenplay for "Apocalypse Now" of 1979; writing and direction of "Farewell to the King" of 1989; and many more. Apparently, Paramount tried to run everything and kept interfering with the film. The result was a movie with plot holes, poor editing, scene changes, continuity goofs and other problems. The studio should have let Millius run the show – he had the track record to turn out very good films of this type. The critics noted the deficiencies and generally panned the film. It failed to recover its $30 million cost at the box office.Originally, Richard Gere was to play the part of Virgil Cole that finally went to Willem Dafoe. And, Millius had tried to get Richard Dreyfus for the role of the commander, Camparelli. Danny Glover wound up in that role. Dafoe is OK, but Glover just doesn't quite seem to fit. His acting, especially as the tough squadron leader, isn't really convincing. It seems forced or contrived. Maybe it's the persona of his character, Roger Murtaugh, from the "Lethal Weapon" films that sticks in one's mind. But, even with these flaws, "Flight of the Intruder" is better than the critics give credit. The film differs from the book in some places, but it is a realistic portrayal of Navy service during the Vietnam War. The flying scenes are very good, the shipboard scenes at sea are nice and the film has considerable action. The movie was filmed in Hawaii with full U.S. Navy cooperation. Here are a couple humorous lines from the filmLt. Commander Mad Jack "Doc" is flying to Subic Bay as a passenger with Lt. Sammy Lundeen. A crew member instructs him on ejection. Doc, "Do I say roger or…. just do it or what?" Sammy Lundeen, "You even say 'huh,' you'll be talking to yourself… 'cause I'll be gone."Sammy Lundeen, "Here, Doc, take some oxygen." Doc, "Keep your hands on the wheel."

So many war films can be either great, mediocre or terrible while others just fly under the radar without much attention; "Flight of the Intruder" falls into the latter category of being ignored. Truly a shame as this film is more of a drama based around the central characters rather than war itself.Taking place during the conflict in Vietnam, the film tells the story of a group of pilots and their daily lives serving their country. The film examines much of what goes on behind the scenes for the pilots while observing them in combat as well.The central character is pilot Lt. Jake Grafton (codename: Cool Hand), a brash but talented young man who goes through numerous trials as a Navyman from being embroiled in one of America's most contentious wars to losing his wing-man during one mission to a contentious relationship with his superior officer and new senior co-pilot. Portrayed with believable vulnerability by Brad Johnson, the actor brings a cocky charisma that makes Jake likable despite his arrogance. Johnson keeps the character grounded in reality as Jake must cope with loss when his co-pilot 'Morg (Christopher Rich)' dies and butts heads with his superiors yet Jake matures throughout the film.Playing Jake's new co-pilot, Lt. Cmdr. Virgil 'Tiger' Cole, following Morg's death is the ever reliant Willem Dafoe. Lt. Cmdr. Cole is a seasoned Navy pilot, as he constantly reminds Jake Grafton early in their partnership, and is a straight-arrow but proves he is willing to bend the rules when called upon. The character is almost reminiscent of Dafoe's role as Sergeant Elias in "Platoon" except Cole is more reserved than the outgoing personality of Elias, but Cole does look out for the younger officers similar to how Elias treats Chris Taylor in "Platoon". Dafoe brings his mentor-like wisdom to Cole in addition to a battle-weary exterior and a selfless demeanor particularly in the film's explosive finale when everything rests on the combat veteran's shoulders to aid his comrades.As Grafton and Cole's superior officer, Commander Frank Camparelli, is seasoned actor Danny Glover. Glover plays the character as a no-nonsense hard-nose and stickler for the rules, but secretly has a soft side for the men under his command. Camparelli is particularly hard on Jake and Virgil; Jake due to his brash actions and Virgil for his compliance in the younger officers' escapades. However Camparelli displays his compassion in the face of hardship such as the death of Grafton's co-pilot. He is also skilled in combat as seen in the final act of the film as Camparelli follows Grafton and Cole on their final assignment.Truly an under-appreciated film that should be experienced by all.

The War in Viet-Nam was a mess. For America it lasted better than ten years and left the bodies of over 58,000 plus dead scattered over the backwaters of the country and spilled over onto the shores of the U.S. Yes the war did in fact fracture this country and in many ways, left it wounded beyond repair. This movie called " The Flight of the Intruder " brings to light the skills, courage, and integrity of the Navy pilot. The story, one of many from that era, relates the decision of pilot Lt. Jake Grafton (Brad Johnson) and his bombardier Lt. Cmdr. Virgil Cole (Willem Dafoe) who implement a scheme to take the war to the enemy. By defying their main authority, they fly their single Intruder into North Viet-Nam and drop their bombs not on the dark jungles of that country but in the stock-pile area known as ' Sam City. " Upon their return, they are arrested and brought before the Naval Board of Inquiry. Their commanding Officer, Cmdr. Frank Camparelli (Danny Glover) warned both men not to get too involved with personal losses, now they both stand a good chance of going to prison. The film is an excellent tribute to the officers and men of the US Navy and with all the action and combat drama seen in the movie, there is little doubt this movie will become a war time Classic. ****

Watch this movie for the flying scenes! It has some the very best shots of an Intruder still or in flight. This aircraft is now out of service with the Navy except as a fueler but I can testify that this aircraft is down right dominating and scary to anyone on the ground when they make a low level pass and this movie captured it all! That said, I read the book too and yes it is a lot different from the book but then most movies are. The question is does it conform to the spirit of the movie and Flight of the Intruder is close. It does take some short cuts which are even more obvious to a Navy vet but over all, this is one of my favorite Vietnam War movies and about the only one that gives a decent treatment to the carrier pilots.The romantic part is not much and probably left in to keep it from not having any attractive females but it sure is not needed for dramatic effect.The political and legal junk is really over blown and trite but if sufficient detail were included the movie would have been 3 hours long.It is a good "Tiger flick" (war movie) for a rainy day and it has an honored place in my DVD collection!