Operation Dumbo — Drop

: Released on July 28, 1995, it was a moderate financial success, grossing approximately $24.7 million. It is often noted as a rare example of a "family-friendly" Vietnam War movie, though critics often cite it for sanitizing the conflict's history. Key Cast and Characters Danny Glover Captain Sam Cahill Veteran Green Beret liaison Ray Liotta Captain T.C. Doyle By-the-book West Point replacement Denis Leary David Poole Resourceful Chief Warrant Officer Doug E. Doug Harvey "H.A." Ashford Nervous, "short-timer" specialist Corin Nemec Lawrence Farley Animal-loving Iowa farm boy Dinh Thien Le Young boy and elephant handler Cultural and Historical Context

: In real life, the elephants were tranquilized and airlifted using heavy-lift helicopters (CH-47 Chinooks) rather than parachuting out of a cargo plane as depicted in the film. Operation Dumbo Drop

: The elephants were intended to support a sawmill project to improve local living conditions and secure the loyalty of villagers near the Ho Chi Minh Trail , a vital North Vietnamese supply route. : Released on July 28, 1995, it was

: U.S. Special Forces were tasked with transporting two elephants, named Bonnie and Clyde, from the village of Ban Don to Tra Bong. Doyle By-the-book West Point replacement Denis Leary David

: The role of Bo Tat was played by an Asian elephant named Tai , who also starred in Water for Elephants . Eight fake elephants (two animatronic and six fiberglass) were used for stunts and close-ups.

: Unlike the movie's happy ending, the real story was tragic; the elephants were ultimately too small for the heavy labor required and were killed by the Viet Cong shortly after the operation. The 1995 Film