"Heroes" is an overlooked, appealing little combination of drama and comedy that deserves to be better known. It details the plight of one Vietnam vet, Jack Dunne (Henry Winkler) as he travels cross country to make his dream of starting a worm farm (!) come true. Among the assorted scrapes in which he finds himself, he end up hopelessly bound to a woman doing her own running, Carol Bell (Sally Field). Nicely written (by James Carabatsos) and directed (by Jeremy Paul Kagan), this is a movie that's just as much about its journey as its destination. It has an episodic nature, but the episodes are so compelling and entertaining that they really pull you in. Among other things, Jack escapes from a V.A. hospital, greatly annoys a bus driver (Val Avery), tangles with thieving thugs in a remote bar / motel, meets up with a reckless, macho old Army buddy, Ken Boyd, played with easygoing charm by Harrison Ford, and races Ken's car when Ken won't do it. Even at an hour and 53 minutes, this time almost flies by, with the actors all making the most out of the material. Wonderful music by Jack Nitzsche and Richard Hazard just adds to the enjoyment, as well as slick cinematography by Frank Stanley. The stars couldn't be better: Winkler shows that there was always much more to him than just Arthur Fonzarelli, and Field is at her most adorable (and sexiest). There are also fine contributions from such players as Olivia Cole (in her first film), Hector Elias, Dennis Burkley, Tony Burton, Michael Cavanaugh, John P. Finnegan, and Betty McGuire. There are even uncredited cameos for John Cassavetes and Stuart Margolin. By the time this has reached its finale, one can't help but feel sorry for the Jack character and be rooting for him to find the peace he desperately needs. Incidentally, it's amusing to note how Field is playing a character running from marriage, when she was doing something similar in "Smokey and the Bandit" from the same year. Eight out of 10.

This movie was excellent, at a time when some friends of mine were going into the service. The movie showed compassion, and understanding to a Veteran, I think the plot was good, real determination on the side of Jack, following the dream him and his buddy had. There was a love in the movie that you don't see very often, part way through and to the end. Coming back from a war that was more or less misunderstood, Jack was looked down upon, he only did what he was told and trained to do. For the most part the general public of the time didn't know him or what he stood for, they only saw where he came from, and what he did there. Another movie with the same background was Rambo, only Rambo ended with violence, but there was still mention of a friend in the movie that died, and a dream that couldn't take place. Both movies showed sides of a man, coming back from a place we will never see, eating things we would never eat. I loved the movie Heroes, even after coming back from Nam, Jack still had good morals, he still did what was right. I would love to see the movie come out so we could buy it, either on VHS, or DVD, I definitely would buy it.

I remember seeing this movie when it came out in the theater. Tonight I got to see it at home on TV after all these years. The big surprise is the ending song of the movie was changed! "Carry On My Wayward Son" by Kansas was changed for some trivial song about Heroes. I don't understand why. That was one of best parts of the movie. Sally Field is one of the best dramatic actresses I have seen. She is right up there with Katherine Hepburn and Anne Baxter. Henry Winkler did OK but I think other actors could of done just as well. Harrison Ford was underused. The plot was very thin. What a shame not to use the talent they had available to a better use. They really could of developed the characters more and got rid of the fight scenes and racing cars. Sad

I'm glad I'm not the only person who remembers the closing scene of this movie as having the song "Carry on Wayward Son" as the music, instead of whatever dreck the edited-for-TV version used. That scene, and this movie, sticks in my mind now almost 30 years later. This movie which starts as a simple comedy gradually transforms into something that offers genuine pathos and commentary about life. You have to see this movie. This movie also features a young Harrison Ford in a small but compelling role.This movie was, sadly, heavily edited for broadcast and it changed the feeling of the movie in substantial ways. Seek it out in the original movie format and soundtrack and it's quite special.Just give it a chance and watch it until the end, no fast forwarding. I guarantee you will never listen to that song again without choking up.