Watch Unclaimed

Unclaimed is a documentary film released in 2012 that follows the story of a man who claims to be a former Special Forces Green Beret who was left behind in Vietnam after the war. The film is directed by Michael Jorgensen, and it explores the life of the alleged Green Beret, John Hartley Robertson, from his time in Vietnam to his resurgence in the early 1990s.

The movie begins with a mysterious discovery in the remote jungle of Laos in 2008, when a local man claims to have found an American soldier who had been living in the jungle for over 30 years. The soldier was identified as John Hartley Robertson, a Green Beret who had been presumed dead after his helicopter went down in 1968. The film follows the journey of Tom Faunce, a Vietnam veteran and private investigator, who is hired by Robertson's sister to find out if the man found in Laos is really her brother.

Faunce travels to Vietnam and Laos, where he meets with the man claiming to be Robertson, as well as local officials and former soldiers who served with Robertson. The film also includes interviews with Robertson's family members and fellow soldiers who share their memories of the man and his service in Vietnam.

As the investigation progresses, doubts begin to surface about the man's identity, and the film takes a dramatic turn when DNA testing is conducted to determine if the man is indeed John Hartley Robertson. The results of the testing are revealed at the end of the film, and they provide closure to the decades-long mystery of what happened to Robertson after the war.

Throughout the film, viewers are given an inside look at the experiences of American soldiers during the Vietnam War, as well as the challenges faced by those who served and returned home. The film highlights the lasting impact of the war on both soldiers and their families, and it raises important questions about the meaning of identity, memory, and closure.

Unclaimed is a powerful and thought-provoking film that provides a unique perspective on the Vietnam War and its aftermath. The film skillfully weaves together the personal stories of Robertson and his family with the larger historical context of the conflict, creating a compelling narrative that keeps viewers engaged throughout. The film is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity, and it serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who serve in the military.