The Hanoi Hilton (1987) by Andrew Barrick

The Hanoi Hilton / 1987

Directed By: Lionel Chetwynd / England / 1940

Budget: Unknown (Independent)

Gross: Approx. $760,000

Synopsis: Prisoner of war drama set during the Vietnam War era. The film follows a number of American POWs over a course of years during their imprisonment at Hoa Lo prison. The story is told from the captives perspective as they battle physical and mental torture at the "Hanoi Hilton".

Keywords: Vietnam War, Prisoner of War, Torture, Prison, Emotional Suffering, Escape, Freedom.

Characterization/Dialogue: The Hanoi Hilton introduces full characters who learn more about themselves and their fellow POWs as the suffer through their hardships while being locked up at the "Hanoi Hilton" The war prisoners communicate with each other during the film through secret notes, Morse Code, and physical contact with each other.

Camera/Lighting/Editing Technique: Filmed in a standard drama format. Shot-Reverse-Shot. Modest pace of editing to help convey the emotional drama of the film.

Political/Social Commentary: The film sets out to show a realistic recreation of the atrocities that occurred at the "Hanoi Hilton". The Vietnamese prison warden attempts to break the American POWs will, and get them to apologize for their wrong doings, in efforts to gain a political upper hand on the American government.

Notable Collaboration: The film production was assisted by former POWs who spent time at Hoa Lo prison including presidential nominee Sen. John McCain.

Random Fact: During it's limited release the film received mild response, today however the film has become a cult favorite among war veterans.

Sources: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093143/
               http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=hanoihilton.htm
               http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hanoi_Hilton_(film)
               http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanoi_Hilton

1. Is the soldier/veteran depicted as being in control of his destiny?
No. Throughout the majority of the film the soldiers, who are actually prisoners of war, are never given the chance to fully be in control of their destinies. The Americans are never in control of what will happen to them next. They never know if they will get food or not, or if they are about to be taken from their prison cells and savagely beaten. At one point in the film two prisoners are able to make an escape attempt but their efforts are quickly thwarted by the Vietnamese troops.


2. What political sub-text, or overt theme is the film exploring?I would say that the over all sub-text of the film "The Hanoi Hilton", would be that it is important to remember what the American soldiers fought and suffered for. Aside from the American and Vietnamese political agendas, it again, is essential that we honor those who serve our nation.

3. How are masculinity and patriarchy displayed through the main character(s) -- broken and dissociated or reinstated and productive.
I would say that the film plays to both dissociated and productive principles. We are shown masculine soldiers who are often turned to tears as they are "broken" by their captors. Yet the POWs keep as a whole unit of reinstated men who band together in hopes of saving each other and regaining their freedom. These soilders truly care for each other and will do what they can to encourage and support their commrades. If a prisoner is physicaly or emotionally wounded another will come in to comfort thier pain and suffering. They are all one unit, banded together.