This is about several pig headed and big headed people who have to work together to get something done. Even one of the villains comes around. It seems like a strange story, and it is, but it does have an elephant orphan and a human orphan in it, and that's what matters.

It also had a very strong theme about personal vs. professional vs. political requirements in life . . . in individual personality flaws, and in ways to handle situations NOT according to the book. There are other themes running through it, such as racial conflicts, and how to be the human in the way you handle them. Also how getting along with everyone is essential to survival.

I bought this for my son's 25th Bday. This was his favorite movie as a kid and watched it 100's of times. As a child he dreamt of becoming a soldier one day and at 18yrs old he did. He spent the next 5 yrs serving as a helicopter crew chief for HMH 463 out of KBay- the same Marine squadron that flew the helicopter to rescue the elephant in the movie- which is a true story. This movie is dear to his heart and now he gets to share it with his future kids. This is a great movie for all ages and it was shipped quickly

Although a comedy, this movie is based on events in a true story?! Only the 101st Airborne would perform such a mission and complete it with the Green Beret! The Vietnamese were instrumental in the success of such missions. The Vietnamese Boy Linh, with a cantankerous elephant were central in the success of this movie plus Danny Glover and Ray Liotta were outstanding. During the Vietnam War, the mountain tribes were real allies with the American military. This movie accurately demonstrated how covert the NVA were in their operations. In addition, the flights of military C-130 Cargo planes and helicopters were illustrative of actual military operations in the Vietnam War. The most outstanding feature of this Disney production was the humanitarian and civilized events that are so exceptional for a wartime movie. This is a superb family movie and worthy of the 5-star rating for the plus side of our involvements in South East Asia with good humor!

Loosely based on actual events during the Vietnam War, 5 American soldiers escort an Asian elephant to a remote village after it's original elephant is killed by North Vietnamese forces. Two of the Americans have a clash of ideologies but work together to finish the mission. Solid acting and a good message of compromise and understanding.

I can't say if others have experienced this, but playing the DVD on a BluRay player and a 60" TV is heartbreaking. First the quality is bad. I didn't expect BluRay quality, but in addition to lower res than I expected, the formatting is not adapted well for widescreen. So your options are to look at a horizontally stretched picture (which makes me crazy), or adjust the picture so the vertical is correct but cuts off a significant portion of the film (which also makes me crazy). I love love love the film, story, actors, etc. but it is frustrating to try and watch the DVD. I guess I'll be buying the BluRay.

Operation Dumbo Drop is a slightly funny, heart-warming tale of a group of American soldiers, fighting in the Vietnam War, trying to do the right thing.

The story revolves around two Special Forces Captains, Capt. Cahill (Danny Glover) and Capt. Doyle (Ray Liotta). Capt. Cahill is the older, more relaxed soldier who goes with the flow and isn't afraid to do things in an unconventional method. Capt. Cahill has assimilated into a local Vietnamese village while monitoring the Ho Chi Minh trail. Capt. Doyle is the younger, uptight, by the book soldier who is sent in to replace Capt. Cahill.

An unfortunate string of events tips off the Viet Cong to the fact the village is helping the Americans and kill the village's elephant in retaliation. The two Captains put together a small band of misfits to find a new elephant and deliver it to the village by the end of the week.

The movie is based on a true story. Violence in the movie is minimal. It is a refreshing change from the typical violent Vietnam themed movie. I think the movie is meant to be funny, but I would more describe it as "cute". Not much in this movie really made me want to laugh out loud. The acting in the movie wasn't bad. I thought Ray Liotta, Dennis Leary (Lt. Pool), and Dinh Thien Le (Linh) all did an excellent job with their parts. However, I wouldn't describe the acting by anyone as extraordinary.

The DVD lacks any extras on it. As mentioned by previous posters, there are no subtitles when the people are speaking Vietnamese.

This isn't one of those movies I'd recommend scrambling out to get. If you find a good deal on the movie or can find it at a video store to rent, by all means give it a try. However, I do not think the movie is worth $15.00. This movie is probably a good compromise between a chick flick to watch with a date and a violent action movie you watch with friends.

US special forces did nothing but PR projects during the war, they were a happy band of smiling folksy fellas just as pleased as punch to help the simple, smiling, natives get an elephant. They also helped orphans and widows and old ladies cross the rice paddies.
Most people miss the warm and fuzzy side of Special Forces training where they teach operators how to hug, to cuddle and to offer sage and caring wisdom to the local people in a war zone.

Based on a true story, this is an uplifting, entertaining movie about the rescue and return of an elephant during the Viet Nam War. This is a Disney movie (rated PG) with top actors.