How did American POWs survive after capture in North Vietnam? What were their day-to-day experiences? That's the impetus behind this consistently fascinating doc, which blends archival footage (much of it from enemy propaganda reels) with first-person interviews. Senator John McCain, and less famous compatriots like Everett Alavarez and Robbie Risner, testify to the gruesome emotional and physical stress they endured, while recounting the various ways they resisted, secretly communicated, and kept the fire of hope alive for their safe return.