Flight of the Intruder

Jim Page... I was on the Indy at the same time! It was my first time at sea, when they filmed the movie. I was eating "mid-rats" in the Officer's wardroom, when a movie crew guy asked me if I wanted to be in the movie. Next thing I know, I was on the Admiral's bridge in a scene with Danny Glover as the only "extra." The scene is early in the movie. Brad Johnson's BN was just shot and he's coming back to the carrier. Danny Glover is called to the bridge and watches as the A-6 lands on the deck. The shot is of Glover's left profile. I am the "officer of the deck" right behind him. You can just see the left side of my face. It was a lot of fun and great stuff to write home about.

I served as a dental officer on the Indy from 1989 until 1991. I moved with the Indy to Yokosuka. Six weeks later, I separated from the Navy.

Why would anyone watch this type of flick if they didn't want to see a war movie? I read the other review online and was dumbfounded. Rarely in war are their racy love scenes, that's why it's a ware movie! If anything, the fact that some scantily clad bimbo's weren't running all over the deck of an aircraft carrier in the middle of a war zone lent to the authenticity of the film. I mean really, what do you want Demi Moore in her "A Few Good Men" dress uniform? Please!!! (BTW... I liked that movie too.) This movie delivers exactly what an action adventure war buff wants to see. A lot of adrenalin laced action, big guns with big explosion, and the possibility of the main characters dying in the end. It was a good story and a good movie. Willam DeFoe was awesome. But a harlequin novel it's not. So if you're looking for a love story, check out "An Officer and a Gentleman", cause this is not for you.

Recommended viewing, especially for those who have not read the book. The flying scenes are great, with ferocious sound to match. While parts of the story will seem quite familiar, the raid on Hanoi is an unusual focal point of the film, and terrific. Danny Glover and Willem Dafoe have the best developed characters, but overall the acting is fine. The motivation of the different characters is quite interesting and adds to the excitement. Dialog varies from profound to hokey. The film is is recommended as one of the better Vietnam War movies. There is plenty of action, and "Flight of the Intruder" certainly exceeds expectations as entertainment. - MERK

Named for the Grumman A-6 Intruder and based on the Stephen Coonts novel of the same name, featuring his major protagonist Jake "Cool Hand" Grafton (Brad Johnson), "Flight of the Intruder" is a Vietnam War-era fighter pilot movie, featuring Naval aviators rather than Air Force pilots. It is reminiscent of Top Gun, though a much more under the radar film. It shouldn't be, because this is as good a film about aviators as there is. Sure, it's a little gung-ho, which is not how we generally like our Vietnam War movies - think "Platoon", "Full Metal Jacket" or "Born on the Fourth of July" - but the action scenes are good, if a little low-budget, and it shines a light on a part of the war effort that hasn't really grabbed much Hollywood attention over the years.

Johnson is pretty good as Grafton, ably supported by the always-reliable Willem Dafoe as his bombardier, Virgil Cole, and Danny Glover (another always-reliable actor) as Frank Camparelli. Rosanna Arquette has what could be termed just a little more than a cameo as Callie, Grafton's love interest. (In the book universe, Callie ends up marrying Jake Grafton).

I found the movie interesting. It is probably loosely based on the exploits of Lyle Bull and Charles Hunter who on 30 October 1967 flew a solo flight over Hanoi and received the Navy Cross. Here is part of the citation for Bull: Lieutenant Bull assisted in the planning and execution of an extremely dangerous, single-plane, night, radar bombing attack on the strategically located and heavily defended Hanoi railroad ferry slip in North Vietnam. Although the entire Hanoi defensive effort was concentrated upon his lone bomber, he flawlessly assisted his pilot in navigating the aircraft to the target area and commencing an attack. Seconds before bomb release, six enemy surface-to-air missiles were observed to be tracking on his plane. Undaunted by this threat to his personal safety, Lieutenant Bull assisted his pilot in taking swift and effective action to avoid the missiles and complete the attack, releasing all weapons in the target area with extreme accuracy. After release, four more missiles were fired at his aircraft in addition to the intense anti-aircraft-artillery fire.