The Hanoi Hilton (film)

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The Hanoi Hilton
Theatrical release poster
Directed byLionel Chetwynd
Written byLionel Chetwynd
Produced byYoram Globus
Menahem Golan
Starring
CinematographyMark Irwin
Edited byPenelope Shaw
Music byJimmy Webb
Distributed byCannon Film Distributors
Release date
  • March 27, 1987 (1987-03-27)
Running time
125 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguagesEnglish, Vietnamese, French, Spanish
Budget$5 million
Box office$760,000

The Hanoi Hilton is a 1987 war film which focuses on the experiences of American prisoners of war who were held in the infamous Hoa Lo Prison in Hanoi during the 1960s and 1970s and the story is told from their perspectives. It was directed by Lionel Chetwynd, and stars Michael Moriarty, Ken Wright and Paul Le Mat. Music was done by Jimmy Webb.[1]

The film portrays fictional characters, not specific American POWs. It earned less than $1 million in its initial theatrical release,[2] but a Warner Home Video VHS release gained a cult following, especially among veterans.[2]

A DVD release of the film had been anticipated for some time in 2008, with the package to include a new interview with former POW and 2008 presidential candidate John McCain.[2] However, the film's release was suspended by Warner Bros. when he became the Republican Party nominee.[3] The week following the 2008 United States presidential election, Warner Bros. went ahead with the DVD release.[4]

Plot[edit]

A group of American POWs held inside Hanoi's Hoa Lo Prison during the Vietnam War endure some brutal lessons in the art of survival and find dignity in the bargain.

Cast[edit]

Reception[edit]

On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 32 out of 100, based on 10 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".[5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Canby, Vincent (March 27, 1987). "FILM: 'THE HANOI HILTON'". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
  2. ^ a b c Michael Cieply (2008-05-29). "McCain's Quiet Cinematic Turn". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-05-30.
  3. ^ "unknown". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2008-10-15. {{cite news}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  4. ^ "Out Tuesday on DVD". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. 2008-11-06. Retrieved 2008-11-26.
  5. ^ "The Hanoi Hilton (1987) reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 4, 2020.

External links[edit]