Behind Enemy Lines (2001)

A Navy navigator is shot down over enemy territory and is ruthlessly pursued by a secret police enforcer and the opposing troops. Meanwhile his commanding officer goes against orders in an attempt to rescue him.

Director:

John Moore

Writers:

Jim Thomas (story) (as James Thomas), John Thomas (story)

Stars:

Gene Hackman, Owen Wilson, Gabriel Macht

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Owen Wilson	...	Burnett
Gene Hackman	...	Reigart
Gabriel Macht	...	Stackhouse
Charles Malik Whitfield	...	Rodway
Joaquim de Almeida	...	Piquet (as Joaquim De Almeida)
David Keith	...	O'Malley
Olek Krupa	...	Lokar
Vladimir Mashkov	...	Tracker
Marko Igonda	...	Bazda
Eyal Podell	...	Petty Officer Kennedy
Geoff Pierson	...	Admiral Donnelly
Aernout Van Lynden	...	Aernout Van Lynden
Sam Jaeger	...	Red Crown Operator #1
Shane Johnson	...	Red Crown Operator #2 (as Shane Mikael Johnson)
Don Winston	...	Red Crown Operator #3

Storyline

Fighter navigator Chris Burnett wants out: he was looking for something more than the boring recon missions he's been flying. He finds himself flying the lone Christmas day mission over war-torn Bosnia. But when he talks pilot Stackhouse into flying slightly off-course to check out an interesting target, the two get shot down. Burnett is soon alone, trying to outrun a pursuing army, while commanding officer Reigert finds his rescue operation hamstrung by politics, forcing Burnett to run far out of his way.

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Plot Keywords:

massacre | navy | bosnian war | aircraft carrier | bosnia herzegovina | 

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Taglines:

Mission: to evade and survive

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Thriller | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for war violence and some language

Details

Official Sites:

Fox

Country:

USA

Language:

English Serbo-Croatian Spanish Czech

Release Date:

30 November 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Im Fadenkreuz - Allein gegen alle

Filming Locations:

Koliba Studios, Bratislava, Slovakia

Box Office

Budget:

$40,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$18,736,133, 2 December 2001, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$59,068,786, 21 April 2002

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$91,753,222, 31 December 2001

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox, Davis Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Branko Tomovic was considered for the role of Bazda.

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Goofs

The so-called 'French' airborne solders wear their berets backwards to French practice; they are wearing them with emblems over the left eye (German/US/British/Dutch style) instead of the right. This happens in many American films.

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Quotes

Admiral Reigart: Our man is down behind enemy lines, now what the fuck is the problem?
Admiral Piquet: [Yelling] Do you have any idea how much damage this incident may cause to the peace process?
Admiral Reigart: All I know, Admiral, is that the American people want their pilot back.
Admiral Piquet: Exactly! Americans, all you care about is your own damn pilots! What happens when the fighting starts again? Will America recommit its forces to stop a major war? No, you don't have any control over that little detail, do you? You might have helped save your man ...

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Alternate Versions

The UK theatrical version had one dialogue substitution (removal of a single use of the word "fuck") to secure the "12" rating. For the DVD/video release, this substitution was waived by the BBFC.

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Connections

Featured in Behind the Scenes: Behind Enemy Lines (2002)

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Soundtracks

Deck the Halls
Traditional
Arranged and Performed by Johnny Reno
Courtesy of June St. Entertainment/Menthol Records

User Reviews

A movie with everything!

From the very start of the epic cinematographical masterpiece I could tell that I was about to witness something truly special; I was not let down. That said, I would have been better able to review this film objectively had not been for my mesmerisation at the hands of the truly astonishing nose of the man himself, Owen Wilson. Many lines of quality dialogue flew right past me as I marvelled at the wonderous nostrils adorning the beautious face of this great man. This herculean facial feature was indeed the highlight of the movie for me.

Regathering my scattered senses, I was once again plunged into the gripping storyline as a group of evil Serbians vindictively shoot down the spyplane of two great and noble american airmen. After bailing out, good ol' Owen is shot at by a platoon of monobrowed soldiers, who seem to be carrying guns because it makes them look sexy rather than for putting them to any practical use. Honestly, I could have done better with half a brick.

I will continue no further as I do not wish to spoil the amazing and absolutely-not-predictable twist at the end. Will Owen escape the guerilla scum? Will you be able to hold onto your lunch (or meal of preference) after the director utilises his 30th high speed pan and his 10 billionth ultra-fast zoom to closeup? Will Brad get back with Janice now that she is carrying his baby? Do Village Cinemas do refunds? All this and more in one of the greatest movies of all time.