Emotions at the end
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Lunchbox-3 — 16 years ago(June 16, 2009 11:34 PM)
Not only does Rhodes not find his son, it occurs to me that four people died (the old man, his daughter, Sailor and Blaster) so that they could save four POWs. They didn't really gain any ground in that sense. It reminds me of that exchange in Star Trek III when David Marcus dies in the attempt to bring back Spock. Sarek tells Kirk "at what cost? Your ship your son" and Kirk replies "If I hadn't tried, the cost would have been my soul." That's what was eating at Wilkes and all the others to a degree, they didn't get a chance to even try to go back and save their friends until this mission.
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daglesjunk — 14 years ago(September 13, 2011 08:36 AM)
What they could have done is add a line in after Rhodes finally learns that Frank died some time ago along the lines of "No..we found Frankhe's home now!"
I get the feeling that whilst Rhodes is upset at hearing his son died he's relieved that its finally over for him. He has closure. In a way he found him.
Certainly when you see him meet his wife at the end it looks like a big weight has lifted off her shoulders. -
Joxerlives — 13 years ago(January 03, 2013 01:41 PM)
I liked it because you don't get happy endings, it adds realism, for every man they rescue they lose one (although they free dozens of Vietnamese political prisoners). It does make me tear up when McGregor starts his 'It's good to see you Major'speech, Gene Hackman's reaction when he then adds 'Frank always said you'd come' is so powerful, knowing what his words signify even before he hears the rest. Truly great writing and well played by the cast
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Joxerlives — 12 years ago(June 17, 2013 02:05 PM)
That's the scene that turns this from a good film into a great one. When the rescued POW turns to the Gene Hackman and tells him "It's really good to see you Colonel. Frank always said you'd come" It isn't a too twee Hollywood happy ending, there's triumph and there's heartbreak
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gerardripley — 12 years ago(July 22, 2013 07:51 PM)
Agreed, that was a great scene which put a punchline and purpose in the story. As an early eighties movie, many of which I love, it helped the transition from the propaganda films of the mid 20th century to the realistic films we enjoy today. The campyness and cliches were still there and the cause had to be overblown for the story but for the time this was a nice flick; a couple of great actors with a bunch of TV stars and mediocre writing and directing was a real money making formula.
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gerardripley — 12 years ago(July 22, 2013 07:52 PM)
Agreed, that was a great scene which put a punchline and purpose in the story. As an early eighties movie, many of which I love, it helped the transition from the propaganda films of the mid 20th century to the realistic films we enjoy today. The campyness and cliches were still there and the cause had to be overblown for the story but for the time this was a nice flick; a couple of great actors with a bunch of TV stars and mediocre writing and directing was a real money making formula.