[cf100clunk]

That background may have informed Hackman's portrayal of a military character in ''Bat*21'', a suspenseful film set during the Vietnam War based on the real escape of USAF Lt. Col. Iceal "Ham" Hambleton after being shot down.

[MollyRealized]

And of course "Crimson Tide." Good God, was he good in that one.

[randycupertino]

He was a force of nature embodying his role in Mississippi Burning. Very physical and I never realized how tall he was until you see him face down some redneck racists! He plays the in-the-trenches tough guy who makes Willem Dafoe look like a comparative dweeb.

[skyyler]

I just looked into it and wow, that movie depicts him killing a farmer after failing to steal supplies from his family.

Kind of surprising. Might have to check that out.