Uncommon Valor (1983)

Uncommon Valor (1983) is a war action film directed by Ted Kotcheff, starring Gene Hackman, Patrick Swayze, Fred Ward, and Robert Stack. The film revolves around a retired Marine colonel (played by Hackman) who gathers a group of Vietnam veterans to rescue his son, who has been missing in action since the Vietnam War. Believing his son is still alive in a Laotian POW camp, Hackman’s character leads the team on a covert mission into Southeast Asia to bring him home.
The film stands out for its gritty depiction of the camaraderie among soldiers and the emotional toll of the Vietnam War on veterans and their families. While primarily an action movie, Uncommon Valor also explores themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the haunting effects of war. It was one of several films from the 1980s that dealt with the lingering impact of Vietnam on American soldiers.