SICKS6SIX S
this film only scored 47% from the public, I rate it at about 75%, It sums up what it must have been like quite well, its a low budget film and that shows at times, but the Hilton looks like the dog s**t it was, check out google photos of the Hanoi Hilton, it was rotten with green slimy mould everywhere, the food infested with maggots and woodlice, what wasn't shown was the level of brainwashing used on the GIs & airmen, injected with drugs, LSD in there food, kept in total darkness for weeks at a time, loud Chinese music none stop, playing them films of back home showing the student protests against the war etc,Kent state shootings, it was a huge part of their captivity but it isn't explored nearly enough in this film, some of the captives were held for ten years in which time America changed so much it was unrecognisable when they got home, the hippy movement was happening, JFK & BK assasanated, civil rights, watts riots, rock music, man on the moon all happened and they knew nothing bout any of it, but this film is a reasoamable attempt at telling people what some of what they ewnt through was like, the prison scenes are sugar coated somewhat unlike, lets say the Deer Hunter, its a watchable film,
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
11/22/23
Full Review
Hollywood E
Such a serious subject that must of involved some amazing acts of heroism deserves a much better film. This is cheap TV fodder.
Rated 0.5/5 Stars •
Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars
01/03/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Hỏa Lò Prison started its use as a political prison used by French colonists in French Indochina before the North Vietnamese used it for jailing U.S. P.O.W.s during the Vietnam War. So while Cannon may have made at least five Vietnam P.O.W. movies that I can name off the top of my head, this is the first serious one they filmed.
Directed and written by Lionel Chetwynd, this film shows a decade in the life of LCDR Williamson (Michael Moriarty, one of my favorite actors) who watches men come, go and die inside the prison camp.
There's Hubman (Paul Le Mat), a solder recalled to fight after serving in Korea who just wants to get home. Major Fischer (Jeffrey Jones in a rare heroic role) faces death with spiritual strength. Colonel Cathcart (Lawrence Pressman) tries to keep order in the face of chaos. But the only thing the men have is each other to lean on.
In no way is this an easy watch. It was made with the participation of real prisoners of war. While it failed at the box office, it remained popular amongst soldiers and those who have been in this situation.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
02/06/23
Full Review
delysid d
another Vietnam Soap Opera
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
07/01/18
Full Review
william s
We have seen these type characters before....poorly written when the subject matter deserved better.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
03/31/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Cannon Films spent most of the 1980's solving the Vietnam Conflict by sending in Chuck Norris or some other B-movie action star in country to single-handedly win the war and rescue captured P.O.W.'s. When they made "The Hanoi Hilton", however, they made their first serious film on the subject and it's marginally successful.
Writer/director Lionel Chetwynd interviewed hundreds of P.O.W.s, including Senator and Presidential hopeful John McCain, to make his scenes as accurate as possible, but conditions for these men were no doubt substantially worse than they are depicted here. Many of the Americans were disturbingly nonchalant about their situation, but the movie does honor their bravery and courage, which is where it excels.
There is a stirring moment in which Lawrence Pressman's character urges the men to salute and heed their military ranking even as prisoners. It's a great speech, and it is dutifully followed in the film even though there is some debate as to whether or not that would have been allowed in this situation. The American characters are fleshed out, and Michael Moriarty is given a rare chance to act, which he does quite nicely. He just seems to take it all in stride, which is kind of aggravating.
However, their captors are cartoonish caricatures and only Aki Aleong as the Vietnamese Major is made the feel like a real person. The ending feels abrupt after all the time we spend with these people, as the details of their release are somewhat vague.
I had mixed feelings about "The Hanoi Hilton", a well meaning but somewhat dubious film. The story it tells, however, is a vital one.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
01/17/23
Full Review
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