The story revolves around a US fighter pilot who is on a secret mission to attack Vietnamese supplies. After his plane is hit by gunfire, he crash-lands in a jungle and is captured by Vietnamese troops. The pilot is taken to a prison camp where he meets other prisoners, including a man named Dengler.
The prisoners hatch a plan to escape, but their attempts are repeatedly thwarted. Along the way, they face numerous challenges, including hunger, illness, and encounters with hostile locals. Despite these obstacles, the pilot and Dengler eventually escape and make their way through the jungle, using a river to guide them towards the Thai border.
After many days of traveling, they are spotted by a plane and rescued. The pilot is taken to a naval military base, where he is greeted as a hero and reunited with his friends. The story concludes with the pilot reflecting on his experiences and the friends he made during his time in captivity.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The film begins with a bomb explosion in 1965.
2. The story is set at an American naval military base.
3. A plot of soldiers prepares a secret mission to attack Vietnamese supplies.
4. The protagonist, a United States fighter pilot, is assigned to the mission for the first time.
5. The pilot's plane is hit by gunfire, and he is forced to make an emergency landing.
6. The pilot is taken prisoner by Vietnamese troops.
7. The pilot is offered a release letter, which would mean he has officially joined and betrayed his country.
8. The pilot refuses to sign the letter and is subjected to torture.
9. The pilot meets other prisoners, including five men who have been detained for two years.
10. The prisoners plan to escape by digging a tunnel and stealing the guards' weapons.
11. The escape plan is put into action, but the prisoners are caught and punished.
12. The pilot and another prisoner, Tengker, come up with a new escape plan.
13. They use a nail to dig a hole and escape through the bamboo floor.
14. They take the guards hostage and make their way to the kitchen.
15. The prisoners are divided into several groups and try to escape through the forest.
16. They follow a river and use a makeshift raft to cross it.
17. They encounter a waterfall and are forced to swim to safety.
18. They meet a local boy who ignores them and continues on his way.
19. They are spotted by a group of people who shout at them and point guns.
20. The prisoners are attacked and one of them is killed.
21. The pilot and Tengker escape and continue on their journey.
22. They find food and shelter in an abandoned village.
23. They are spotted by a plane and rescued by two men in suits.
24. The pilot is taken to a secret base where he is interrogated by two men.
25. The pilot meets his friends and is reunited with them.
26. The pilot is taken to a naval military base where he is greeted by hundreds of people.
27. The pilot is given a hero's welcome and is hailed as a hero.