ronhelf-24-613931 I really do love the smell of conspiracy theories in the morning. Sadly the post of jw_55767 proves once again that most people prefer their ideological myths to reality.So lets look more closely at some of JW's myths about this film. First, the theory that Hanoi Hilton disappeared because of a cabal of the rights favourite demon, "Hanoi Jane" and her media mogul husband Ted Turner. Turner. Wrong. Hanoi Hilton was released theatrically. It made, as IMDb notes less than a million dollars. All things being equal this means, if the market is always right as right wing apologists and polemicists usually maintain, Hanoi Hilton was voted down by American consumers and was not systematically hidden away by Ms. Fonda or her media mogul husband so no one could see it.Second, another favourite strategy of right wingers is to play up the atrocities of the enemy, which did occur, war after all is hell, and play down those of their own country. In reality, however, Americans committed atrocities in Vietnam just like the enemy did. One of many examples: My Lai. Atrocities, of course, have occurred in each and every modern war and they were committed by all sides.

khanley2244 After personally visiting the real Hanoi Hilton a couple weeks ago (or what is left of it), I had to watch the film. I must admit I was a little disappointed, though, but maybe not for some of the other reasons previously mentioned. I was disappointed primarily because the Hanoi Hilton depicted did not look like the real one from what I could tell. Admittedly, most of real HIlton was tore down in mid-90's, so I truly have no way of knowing what the original courtyard looked like, etc. If anyone on here was there, I would very much appreciate your thoughts.In addition, although the acting superb and definitely pulling at my heart, I felt the movie was a little watered down to the horrors of such a prison. Again, thankfully I wasn't there (and my tears well up for those who were), but seeing the real one made me think life there was much more depressed and brutal than this movie depicts.As a veteran who served two tours in Iraq/Kuwait (2004/2010), I would appreciate anyone who was there's opinion comparing this film to reality.Thanks, CPO Kevin Hanley [email protected]

jw_55767 Like anyone else who has seen this film, I stumbled across it quite by accident.I enjoyed it and considered it to be an historically accurate portrayal of the experiences of POW's in North Viet-Nam to the best of my knowledge from other accounts by POW's.I am a Viet-Nam veteran who has always been puzzled by the obscurity of this film. Why was it never released to theaters? I am not a conspiracy theorist by nature, but I have always wondered if the wealth and power of Hanoi Jane Fonda might have had something to do with the stifling of this movie. If I am not mistaken, I believe she was married to the media mogul, Ted Turner at the time. Any thoughts?

eklectech52 I felt it important to respond to the statement of the person from Minnesota re: The Hanoi Hilton. The torture tactics by the NVA were questioned in the motion picture. The idea that these horrid experiments were not employed is sheer liberal naiveté. I spent several days designing the sequence of the shots and making storyboards for (Lionel Chetwynd) the director based upon lengthy research and a grueling interview with a former (Congressional Medal of Honor recipient)American P.O.W. The distinguished officer described in great detail the many barbaric torture methods employed by his captors. It turned my stomach and revealed the dark evil side of humanity.