Behind Enemy Lines - Film Review

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Behind Enemy Lines is a 2001 war action-thriller directed by John Moore and starring Owen Wilson and Gene Hackman. The film is loosely based on the real-life events surrounding the downing of U.S. Navy pilot Scott O’Grady in Bosnia in 1995, though it takes significant creative liberties. The story follows Lieutenant Chris Burnett (Wilson), a U.S. Navy flight officer, who is shot down over war-torn Bosnia and must evade enemy forces while his commanding officer, Admiral Reigart (Hackman), fights against bureaucratic obstacles to rescue him.

The film takes place during the Bosnian War in the mid-1990s, a conflict marked by ethnic tensions and brutal war crimes. Lieutenant Chris Burnett is a disillusioned U.S. Navy navigator serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson. Frustrated with the lack of real combat missions, he contemplates leaving the military. His commanding officer, Admiral Leslie Reigart, sees potential in Burnett but is disappointed by his lack of discipline.

On a routine reconnaissance mission, Burnett and his pilot, Lieutenant Jeremy Stackhouse (Gabriel Macht), deviate from their assigned flight path to investigate suspicious activity in a demilitarized zone. They capture photographic evidence of mass graves, implicating Serbian paramilitary forces in war crimes. However, their intrusion is detected, and the Serbian military, led by General Miroslav Lokar (Olek Krupa), launches a surface-to-air missile attack.

Despite evasive maneuvers, their F/A-18 Super Hornet is shot down. Stackhouse is injured but survives the crash, only to be executed by Serbian soldiers led by the ruthless tracker Sasha (Vladimir Mashkov). Burnett, witnessing his friend’s murder, is forced to flee into the hostile terrain.



Alone and unarmed, Burnett must navigate the dangerous Bosnian wilderness while being relentlessly pursued by Sasha and his men. He uses his survival training to evade capture, hiding in forests, abandoned buildings, and war-ravaged villages. Along the way, he encounters sympathetic Bosniak civilians who assist him, highlighting the war’s humanitarian crisis.

Meanwhile, Admiral Reigart faces bureaucratic resistance from NATO officials, who are hesitant to authorize a rescue mission due to diplomatic concerns. Reigart, however, refuses to abandon Burnett, defying orders to orchestrate an unauthorized extraction.

As Burnett reaches a designated extraction point, he is ambushed by Serbian forces. In a tense showdown, he retrieves the photographic evidence from the wreckage of his jet, proving Serbian war crimes. Reigart’s defiance pays off when he sends a rescue team to extract Burnett under heavy fire. The film concludes with Burnett safely returning to the carrier, having survived against overwhelming odds. Reigart is forced into early retirement for his insubordination, but Burnett, inspired by his ordeal, decides to remain in the Navy.

One of the film’s primary themes is the conflict between military action and political bureaucracy. Admiral Reigart represents the ethical military leader who prioritizes his men over political maneuvering, while NATO officials symbolize the red tape that often hampers military operations. The film critiques how political considerations can sometimes override the moral duty to protect soldiers.

Burnett’s journey is a classic survival story, emphasizing resilience, adaptability, and the will to live. His transformation from a disillusioned officer to a determined survivor reflects the psychological and physical toll of warfare.

The film sheds light on the atrocities committed during the Bosnian War, particularly the ethnic cleansing carried out by Serbian paramilitary forces. By showcasing mass graves and civilian suffering, Behind Enemy Lines highlights the moral imperative of international intervention.

Burnett’s mission inadvertently uncovers war crimes, making him a target not just for military reasons but also for political ones. The film underscores the power of evidence in exposing atrocities and holding perpetrators accountable.

Burnett and Reigart’s defiance of orders showcases the tension between individual morality and institutional obedience. The film portrays heroism as the willingness to do what is right, even at great personal cost.

Lieutenant Chris Burnett (Owen Wilson): Burnett begins as a cynical officer, frustrated with his uneventful deployment. However, his experience behind enemy lines forces him to confront the realities of war. Wilson, known primarily for comedic roles, delivers a surprisingly effective performance, balancing vulnerability with determination. His character arc is one of growth, evolving from a reluctant soldier to a true warrior.

Admiral Leslie Reigart (Gene Hackman): Reigart is the film’s moral compass, embodying leadership, integrity, and defiance. Hackman’s performance adds gravitas, portraying a seasoned commander willing to risk his career for the sake of his men. His dynamic with Burnett serves as the emotional core of the film.

Sasha (Vladimir Mashkov): Sasha, the film’s primary antagonist, is a cold and efficient Serbian tracker. Unlike typical action-movie villains, he is portrayed as a disciplined and skilled soldier, making him a formidable adversary. His relentless pursuit of Burnett adds tension and stakes to the narrative.

General Miroslav Lokar (Olek Krupa): Lokar represents the corrupt military leadership responsible for war crimes. While he plays a secondary role, his character embodies the real-life war criminals of the Bosnian conflict, emphasizing the film’s political undertones.

John Moore employs dynamic camera work, fast-paced editing, and practical effects to create intense action scenes. The missile attack on Burnett’s jet is particularly well-executed, using rapid cuts and first-person perspectives to heighten tension.

The Bosnian wilderness is depicted as both beautiful and hostile, with sweeping aerial shots contrasting the devastation of war-torn villages. The cinematography enhances the film’s themes of isolation and survival. The film’s colour grading leans heavily on cold blue tones, reinforcing the bleak and oppressive atmosphere. This stylistic choice adds to the tension and realism of Burnett’s ordeal.

While Behind Enemy Lines is inspired by the real-life experience of U.S. Air Force Captain Scott O’Grady, it takes significant creative liberties:

- In reality, O’Grady was shot down over Bosnia in 1995 and survived for six days before being rescued. However, he did not engage in high-speed chases or intense firefights as depicted in the film.

- The film presents a one-dimensional view of the Serbs as villains, which some critics argue oversimplifies the complexities of the Bosnian War.

- The depiction of NATO as hesitant and bureaucratic is partially accurate but exaggerated for dramatic effect.

O’Grady himself criticized the film for its inaccuracies, particularly its portrayal of him as reckless and insubordinate.

The film received mixed reviews, with praise for its action sequences but criticism for its thin plot and lack of depth. It holds a 37% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics noting its reliance on clichés. However, audiences were more forgiving, enjoying its fast-paced thrills.

Despite mixed reviews, Behind Enemy Lines was a commercial success, grossing over $92 million worldwide against a $40 million budget. Its financial success led to several direct-to-video sequels, though they lacked the original’s star power and production value.

The film set a precedent for modern military thrillers, influencing later works like Lone Survivor and American Sniper. Its blend of survival, action, and political intrigue remains a template for similar films.

Behind Enemy Lines is a thrilling but dramatized depiction of wartime survival and military bureaucracy. While it lacks historical accuracy, its intense action, strong performances (especially from Hackman), and gripping chase sequences make it an entertaining watch. The film’s themes of heroism, war crimes, and political obstruction resonate beyond its action-movie framework, ensuring its place as a notable entry in the military thriller genre.

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