Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- tense
- earnest
- patriotic
- war movie night
- 1980s action marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film emotionally earnest but undermined by predictable, clichéd storytelling and an unfavorable overall execution.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Col. Cal Rhodes reunites former servicemen and redirects their lives toward rescuing imprisoned comrades.
The retired Marine colonel leads the mission because his son is believed to remain a prisoner of war.
Vietnam veterans confront PTSD, loss, and unfinished responsibility through the POW rescue attempt.
The first part follows Rhodes as he gathers and prepares a group of former soldiers for the mission.
Films like Uncommon Valor, and why
Missing in Action
Vietnam veteran rescue mission, action-driven war drama, and unresolved postwar trauma
Rambo: First Blood Part II
Vietnam War POW rescue premise with patriotic action and veteran-centered heroism
The Deer Hunter
Emotionally direct war drama focused on veterans, sacrifice, and family bonds
The War at Home
Vietnam veteran trauma and a father-son emotional core within a Hollywood war narrative
Movie Details
- Director
- Ted Kotcheff
- Release Date
- 1983-12-16
- Runtime
- 105 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (231)
Cast
- Gene Hackman
- Fred Ward
- Robert Stack
- Patrick Swayze
- Harold Sylvester
- Randall 'Tex' Cobb
- Tim Thomerson
- Lau Nga-Lai
- Kwan Hi Lim
- Kelly Junkerman
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Uncommon Valor about?
- A grieving Marine colonel assembles a band of Vietnam veterans for a perilous mission to bring imprisoned American soldiers home.
- What is Uncommon Valor like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Uncommon Valor as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Uncommon Valor violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Uncommon Valor as graphic.
- What did critics think of Uncommon Valor?
- Critics broadly found the film emotionally earnest but undermined by predictable, clichéd storytelling and an unfavorable overall execution.
- Which films are like Uncommon Valor?
- Films with a similar feel include Missing in Action, Rambo: First Blood Part II, The Deer Hunter, and The War at Home.
- How long is Uncommon Valor?
- Uncommon Valor runs 105 minutes.
- Where can I watch Uncommon Valor?
- In United States, Uncommon Valor is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
