The film begins with Lieutenant Chris Burnett (played by Owen Wilson), a U.S. Navy pilot stationed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, frustrated with his lack of action during a reconnaissance mission over war-torn Bosnia. Despite being ordered to fly a routine reconnaissance mission, Burnett convinces his co-pilot, Stackhouse (played by Gabriel Macht), to deviate from their assigned course and investigate suspicious activity in a restricted area.
During their unauthorized reconnaissance mission, Burnett and Stackhouse witness a mass grave being prepared by Bosnian Serb forces. Before they can report their findings, they are spotted by Serbian soldiers and their aircraft is shot down.
Burnett survives the crash and manages to eject from the plane before it explodes, but Stackhouse is killed by Serbian soldiers. Alone and stranded behind enemy lines, Burnett must evade capture and navigate his way through hostile territory to safety.
Meanwhile, Admiral Leslie Reigart (played by Gene Hackman), the commanding officer of the USS Carl Vinson, receives word of Burnett’s situation and launches a rescue mission to retrieve him. Despite facing opposition from his superiors, who are hesitant to risk further escalation of the conflict, Reigart is determined to bring Burnett home.
As Burnett struggles to survive in hostile territory, he is pursued by Serbian forces led by General Miroslav Lokar (played by Olek Krupa), who are intent on capturing or killing him to prevent him from revealing evidence of their war crimes. Burnett uses his wits and resourcefulness to evade capture, relying on his training as a Navy pilot to outmaneuver his pursuers.
Back on the USS Carl Vinson, Reigart faces pressure from his superiors to abandon the rescue mission and return to base. Undeterred, Reigart defies orders and presses forward with the rescue operation, determined to bring Burnett home at any cost.
In a dramatic climax, Burnett is finally rescued by a team of U.S. Navy SEALs and safely evacuated from behind enemy lines. As he is airlifted to safety, Burnett reflects on his harrowing ordeal and the sacrifices made by his fellow servicemen to bring him home.
“Behind Enemy Lines” is a thrilling and suspenseful tale of survival, courage, and heroism set against the backdrop of war-torn Bosnia. Through its intense action sequences, compelling performances, and gripping storyline, the film offers a visceral and realistic portrayal of the challenges faced by military personnel in combat situations.