Behind Enemy Lines, the 2001 war thriller starring Owen Wilson and Gene Hackman, is airing on Film4 tonight at 6:55pm. Fans have called it 'the best war action movie' and one of the most underrated films of its genre.
Plot and Cast
The film follows Lieutenant Chris Burnett (Owen Wilson), a US naval flight officer weeks away from leaving the military, who embarks on a final mission over Serbian territory. His aircraft is shot down, and he must survive while uncovering a genocide during the Bosnian war. Meanwhile, Rear Admiral Leslie McMahon Reigart (Gene Hackman) fights to authorize a combat search and rescue operation. The cast also includes Gabriel Macht, Joaquim de Almeida, David Keith, and Olek Krupa.
Fan Reactions
Viewers have praised the film as 'absolutely incredible' and 'underrated'. One wrote: 'Behind Enemy Lines is one of the most underrated films of all time. Owen Wilson delivers a performance of a lifetime; Gene Hackman is his stalwart best.' Another said: 'It's one of the best war action movies. Must watch for war action movie lovers.'
Others described it as 'brutal, breathtaking, brilliant' and 'possibly the most underrated war movie ever'. One fan commented: 'This movie is the best I have ever seen,' while another called it 'the best war survival and escape film ever made'.
Owen Wilson's Perspective
In a past interview, Owen Wilson said: 'I couldn't really see myself playing a real action hero... But in this part, there's nothing superhero about my character, he's a normal guy. A fighter pilot, he's just trying to survive.' He added that the role involved 'running through the woods or digging through the mud', contrasting with his comedy work.
Broadcast Details
Behind Enemy Lines airs on Film4 on Monday, June 22 at 6:55pm.
