Pilot sues over Bosnian escape movie

Scott O'Grady survived on grass and water

A US Air Force pilot who escaped from Bosnia when his plane was shot down, is suing 20th Century Fox for making a film he believes was made about him without seeking his permission.

Scott O'Grady emerged from the Bosnian conflict a hero after surviving for six days on rain water and grass in 1995.

He believes the movie, Behind Enemy Lines, which starred Gene Hackman and Owen Wilson, was based on him and his war experiences.

Mr O'Grady is also taking legal action over a documentary, Behind Enemy Lines: The Scott O'Grady Story, which was made by 20th Century Fox and Discovery Communications, which owns the Discovery Channel.

He is suing them for film profits and damages.

Behind Enemy Lines, which was released in the US in November 2001, made $59m (£38.6m) during its run.

Commercial value

Mr O'Grady accused the producers of invasion of privacy through the misappropriation of his name, likeness and identity, false representation and false advertising, unjust enrichment and civil conspiracy.

He believes the commercial value of his name has been damaged by the drama and the documentary.

Owen Wilson played the downed soldier in Behind Enemy Lines

Mr O'Grady, who is now a children's author and motivational speaker, has also taken offence at the characterisation of what he believes is himself in Behind Enemy Lines as a pilot who disobeys orders and swears.

Mr O'Grady's F16 was blown out of the sky by a surface-to-air missile while he was on routine patrol in a Nato no-fly zone over Bosnia.

Promotion

He was forced to dodge Serbian soldiers for six days until he was rescued by the US Marines.

In Behind Enemy Lines, Wilson plays Chris Burnett, who goes out on a flying mission on Christmas Day but ventures outside of the no-fly zone and his plane is downed.

The movie then revolves around his quest to escape and the political manoeuvres required to go in and rescue him.

The documentary, The Scott O'Grady Story, was screened several times on the Discovery Channel, and Mr O'Grady accused Fox of using it to promote the film.