MovieChat Forums > Behind Enemy Lines (2001) Discussion > Who was Picquet?

Who was Picquet?

posted 2 years ago by JohnMatrix (718)
2 replies | jump to latest

Sorry if it was said in the movie, but I saw this movie long time ago and now just caught only one scene on TV. The scene is where Piquet scolded Reigart (Gene Hackman). I always love Hackman and he is great here, but that Piquet character held great on his own. I love this scene because Hackman is such a great character here and how he was earnest and frustrated at the same time only to be let down by this higherup. I wonder who he was supposed to be, the admiral or something?

[–] Ilyathe2nd (169) 2 years ago

Piquet is a Vice Admiral (Vice-amiral) and the commander of NATO naval forces in the region, so he's senior to Reigart in position. He's the decider in principle.

However, the French rank of Vice-amiral is considered a two-star rank, or OF-7 in the NATO system, so he's in fact equal to Reigart in rank. This is why Piquet has to settle for asking the mission to end and threaten to go to Reigart's superior instead of issuing a direct order.

[–] JohnMatrix (718) 10 months ago

Thank you for the clear explanation. It all makes sense now.