Operation Dumbo Drop is a 1995 American comedy-drama film directed by Simon Wincer and starring Danny Glover and Ray Liotta. It was inspired by the true story of American military personnel who, during the Vietnam War, transported an elephant from the Thai border to a village in western Vietnam.
The film follows a group of Green Berets, led by Captain Sam Cahill (Danny Glover), who are stationed in Vietnam in 1968. One day, the Montagnard villagers of Dak Nhe approach the soldiers with a request to transport an 8,000-pound elephant, Bo-Tat, to their village in order to replace their beloved elephant, Linh, who was killed by a land mine.
Cahill and his team reluctantly agree to the mission, knowing that it is risky and could jeopardize their safety. However, they also realize that it is an opportunity to win the trust and respect of the villagers, as well as to gain valuable intelligence in the war.
The team faces numerous obstacles along the way, including hostile Vietnamese soldiers, intense heat and humidity, treacherous terrain, and a shortage of supplies. Moreover, they are constantly at odds with their gruff and abrasive teammate, Captain T.C. Doyle (Ray Liotta), who is resistant to the idea of transporting an elephant and is more interested in completing his own mission of killing a notorious enemy general.
Despite the challenges, the team perseveres and eventually gets Bo-Tat to Dak Nhe, where they are welcomed as heroes by the grateful villagers. The film ends with Cahill and Doyle reconciling and enjoying a celebratory dinner with the villagers.
Operation Dumbo Drop received mixed reviews from critics and was a modest box office success. However, it has since gained a cult following for its humorous and heartwarming portrayal of American soldiers working alongside Vietnamese civilians during the Vietnam War.