Dieter Dengler, growing up in bombed out, postwar Germany, dreamed of flying, of being a test pilot. He made his way, penniless, to America, where he joined the military in pursuit of his obsession to fly. Cut to Vietnam, where on his first mission, Dieter is shot down and captured by Vietcong guerrillas. The details of his incarceration, eventual escape and rescue are explored while some sections of the narrative are reenacted.