Watch Uncommon Valor

Uncommon Valor, directed by Ted Kotcheff and released in 1983, tells the story of a group of Vietnam War veterans who return to the country almost a decade after the end of the war in order to rescue some of their comrades who they believe are still being held captive by the Viet Cong. The film stars a number of well-known actors, including Gene Hackman, Patrick Swayze, and Robert Stack, and was generally well-received by audiences upon its release.

The plot of Uncommon Valor centers around Colonel Cal Rhodes, played by Gene Hackman, who is a retired Marine officer whose son, a soldier, was declared missing in action during the Vietnam War. A decade later, Rhodes becomes convinced that his son and several other soldiers are still alive and being held captive by the Viet Cong in a remote prison camp. When the US government refuses to launch a rescue mission, Rhodes decides to put together a team of his own, consisting of various other veterans and military personnel who have all been affected by the war in different ways.

The team that Rhodes assembles is composed of several characters, each with different backgrounds and motivations for wanting to take part in the mission. In addition to Rhodes himself, the team includes Kevin Scott, played by Patrick Swayze, who is a former Green Beret; Wilkes, played by Fred Ward, who is a demolitions expert; Sailor, played by Randall "Tex" Cobb, who is a former Marine who has turned to a life of crime; and Johnson, played by Harold Sylvester, who is a former helicopter pilot.

Together, the team travels to Thailand where they begin training for the mission, which involves infiltrating the prison camp where they believe their comrades are being held and mounting a rescue operation. Along the way, they confront a variety of challenges, including personal conflicts and obstacles related to their lack of official support from the government.

Throughout the course of the film, Uncommon Valor touches on a number of themes related to war and military service, including the bonds of brotherhood that form between soldiers, the psychological toll that war takes on those who participate in it, and the difficulties that veterans face when readjusting to civilian life. The film also touches on issues related to government accountability and the treatment of prisoners of war.

One of the strengths of Uncommon Valor is its cast, which includes a number of experienced actors who bring a degree of credibility and authenticity to their roles. Gene Hackman, in particular, delivers a strong performance as Rhodes, the character whose experience and determination drive the story forward. Patrick Swayze, meanwhile, shines as Kevin Scott, the young and charismatic soldier who provides a counterpoint to Rhodes' more grizzled and jaded worldview.

Another strength of Uncommon Valor is its action sequences, which are well-choreographed and effectively capture the tension and danger of the mission. The film also features a number of moments of quiet introspection, such as when the soldiers reflect on the impact that the war has had on their lives and relationships.

Overall, Uncommon Valor is a well-made and engaging film that deals with a number of themes related to war and military service in a thoughtful and nuanced way. Despite its age, the film remains relevant today and offers a sobering reminder of the sacrifices that veterans make in service to their country.

Uncommon Valor is a 1983 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 38.