THE HANOI HILTON
US, 1987, 120 minutes, Colour.
Michael Moriarty, Paul Le Mat, David Soul.
Directed by Lionel Chetwynd.
The Hanoi Hilton was one of several significant films about the Vietnam war, released in 1987. Platoon won the 1986 Oscar. Full Metal Jacket, by Stanley Kubrick, was also released as well as Hamburger Hill by John Irvin.
This film was written and directed by writer Lionel Chetwynd. It is about prisoners of war in Vietnam from 1964 to 1973. There are no battle sequences, the only outside sequence being an initial capture of the character played by Michael Moriarty. The rest of the film is in the prisoner-of-war building.
The structure of the film is episodic, selected episodes from particular years. In this way, it is a diary rather than a study of the characters. This works for maintaining interest in the theme rather than involving audiences in the plight of the prisoners of war. And this, despite the fact there are many harrowing sequences. The film has a strong cast, is well-acted and photographed. It is an important tribute to the prisoners of war (especially the comments shown in the final credits with statistics given - and some of the prisoners of war playing the officers who welcome the POWs at the end of the film). It is also a critique of some liberal views, especially those of Jane Fonda which are presented critically in the drama. An interesting addition to the Vietnam war films.
1. The attitude of American film-makers and audiences to the Vietnam war in the '80s? The comparisons with the films of the '70s? A re-look at the events of the '60s and '70s?
2. The work of Lionel Chetwynd, writer, director? The portrait of Americans in Vietnam, the prison experience? Musical score?
3. The diary structure of the film: the years in succession, the seasons, episodes chosen? The opening with Williamson, adding a greater number of prisoners, the whole group? Sketches of characters? The overall effect - the dramatic structure and the characters, observation of theme rather than involvement with characters?
4. The men of the '60s and '70s, American presence in Vietnam and the beginning of the war? Reasons, motivations? The initial interview with Williamson, his explanation of his stances, the presence in Vietnam, the values of freedom, individual rights? The war and its effect on Vietnam? On the American soldiers? The accusations of war crimes and killings - not seen in the film? The prisoners of war captured, accidents?
5. The memories of war and the '60s? Lyndon Johnson, Nixon? Years of protest? The televising of the war? The attitude of the American public, growing tired over the years? Left-wing protestors like Jane Fonda and the visits to Hanoi? Used by the North Vietnamese or not? Propaganda? Early releases?
6. The memories of the Vietnamese, the enemy, the projection of hostility onto the Vietnamese, racial prejudice? The Vietnamese treatment of the Americans? The effect on the POWs?
7. The figures and statistics about prisoners of war, the length of their sentences, those missing in action? Lost, unknown, lost years, prison experience, torture, used for propaganda, breaking or not?
8. The men as individuals, as a group? The passing of the years, the interaction between them, living together, the cells, separately? Means of communication, Morse code? The keeping up of morale? Problems? Torture and breaking? Physical and mental torture? Their stories broadcast on the radio? The propaganda broadcast against them? Interrogations?
9. The focus on Williamson, his initial mission, the parachuting, the shooting of his companion? Taken, hostility, in prison, alone? The interrogation and the rules? The attempt to break him? The washing and the relief? Later torture, breaking, his story, Meeting the others, his authority, relationships, talking about sport? His prayer at the end of the meal? The final release?
10. Fischer as older, more serious. later arrival. coping, able to take the imprisonment or not? His strength, sending and receiving messages, the build-up to his execution? The reprieve? The news about his wife's divorce and his break?
11. The genial soldier played by Paul Le Mat, softer, the interrogation? Friendship with the soldier played by David Soul? Interrogations, Christmas? The response to the American celebrities in the interview? His decision to leave and the reaction of the men? David Soul, illness. death?
12. Rasmussen and his falling overboard, the arrest, his plea to the authorities, the nature of his work, singing 'Old Mac Donald's Farm', the communication of information? His early release?
13. Turner as the black prisoner, tough, his stern answers to the visiting Americans?
14. The range of prisoners, praying, tortured, talking, the escape bid, being shot? The exhilaration and joy of the parade and their final release?
15. The Vietnamese authorities, the commandant, his treatment of the men, psychological. Geneva Convention, violence? The Cuban and his delighting in tormenting and torturing?
16. The tribute to the prisoners of war? A belated '80s perspective on these men?
