Rescue Dawn
starring: Christian Bale, Steve Zahn, Jeremy Davies
directed by: Werner Herzog
directed by: Werner Herzog
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Product Description:
Incomparable director Werner Herzog takes another strange turn in his eclectic career with RESCUE DAWN--a major studio picture starring Christian Bale (BATMAN BEGINS). The film is an adaptation of Herzog's 1997 documentary LITTLE DIETER NEEDS TO FLY, which focused on Dieter Dengler, a pilot who was imprisoned by enemy forces during the Vietnam war. Dengler escaped and his incredible reminisces about this period in his life spilled onto the screen in Herzog's documentary. Here, Bale plays Dengler, while Herzog constructs a dark masterpiece around him, inviting his audience to observe a dramatic reconstruction of the events that beset the unfortunate soldier. Bale's Dengler is aided by fellow captive Duane (Steve Zahn), and a capable cast of characters who variously play prisoners and sadistic guards. The film is split into two parts, with the harrowing experiences of prison life taking the bulk of Herzog's screen time, followed by a desperate bid for survival in the jungle. Bale really gets a chance to demonstrate his acting chops as RESCUE DAWN unravels, with the actor heading on a rapid downward spiral as the film progresses. Herzog rarely allows the tension to drop throughout, and while most audiences may expect some relief as Dengler escapes his confines, things get much worse as he heads into the perilous Vietnamese jungle. Herzog presents plenty of raw emotion and a rough, at times barely watchable, portrayal of the human spirit, as Dengler's sanity is severely tested, and often only held together by his companionship with Duane. RESCUE DAWN requires a strong stomach, but it's a rewarding trip, and another wonderful addition to the Herzog canon.
Amazon.com:
In the tradition of The Great Escape and The Deer Hunter, Rescue Dawn is Werner Herzog's take on the pulse-pounding POW genre. Unlike most such efforts, however, his isn't just based on a true story, it's a remake of his 1997 documentary Little Dieter Needs to Fly. German-born Dieter Dengler (Christian Bale, who first made his mark in Steven Spielberg's prison camp drama Empire of the Sun) has longed to pilot a plane since he was a boy. When he joins the Navy during the Vietnam War, he gets his wish. Then he's shot down over Laos. Though he survives, Dengler is captured by the Pathet Lao. Through his internment, he meets Duane Martin (Steve Zahn in his finest performance), with whom he becomes fast friends. While Dengler is arrogant and resourceful, Martin is patient and humble. With Dengler's assistance, the prisoners escape, but the untamed wilderness turns out to be just as dangerous (cinematographer Peter Zeitlinger ably captures its cruel beauty). Those who've seen Little Dieter know how this tale ends. Suffice to say, Herzog's reenactment makes for rousing entertainment. If the film has a flaw, it's that the rah-rah finale plays like something from out of a mainstream sports movie. That quibble aside, the actors, including Jeremy Davies as a delusional campmate and Toby Huss as a fellow flyer, are aces. And Herzog, who's been concentrating on nonfiction, like Grizzly Man, proves he can direct a Hollywood-style action epic with the best of 'em. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Beyond Rescue Dawn
Stills from Rescue Dawn
Incomparable director Werner Herzog takes another strange turn in his eclectic career with RESCUE DAWN--a major studio picture starring Christian Bale (BATMAN BEGINS). The film is an adaptation of Herzog's 1997 documentary LITTLE DIETER NEEDS TO FLY, which focused on Dieter Dengler, a pilot who was imprisoned by enemy forces during the Vietnam war. Dengler escaped and his incredible reminisces about this period in his life spilled onto the screen in Herzog's documentary. Here, Bale plays Dengler, while Herzog constructs a dark masterpiece around him, inviting his audience to observe a dramatic reconstruction of the events that beset the unfortunate soldier. Bale's Dengler is aided by fellow captive Duane (Steve Zahn), and a capable cast of characters who variously play prisoners and sadistic guards. The film is split into two parts, with the harrowing experiences of prison life taking the bulk of Herzog's screen time, followed by a desperate bid for survival in the jungle. Bale really gets a chance to demonstrate his acting chops as RESCUE DAWN unravels, with the actor heading on a rapid downward spiral as the film progresses. Herzog rarely allows the tension to drop throughout, and while most audiences may expect some relief as Dengler escapes his confines, things get much worse as he heads into the perilous Vietnamese jungle. Herzog presents plenty of raw emotion and a rough, at times barely watchable, portrayal of the human spirit, as Dengler's sanity is severely tested, and often only held together by his companionship with Duane. RESCUE DAWN requires a strong stomach, but it's a rewarding trip, and another wonderful addition to the Herzog canon.
Amazon.com:
In the tradition of The Great Escape and The Deer Hunter, Rescue Dawn is Werner Herzog's take on the pulse-pounding POW genre. Unlike most such efforts, however, his isn't just based on a true story, it's a remake of his 1997 documentary Little Dieter Needs to Fly. German-born Dieter Dengler (Christian Bale, who first made his mark in Steven Spielberg's prison camp drama Empire of the Sun) has longed to pilot a plane since he was a boy. When he joins the Navy during the Vietnam War, he gets his wish. Then he's shot down over Laos. Though he survives, Dengler is captured by the Pathet Lao. Through his internment, he meets Duane Martin (Steve Zahn in his finest performance), with whom he becomes fast friends. While Dengler is arrogant and resourceful, Martin is patient and humble. With Dengler's assistance, the prisoners escape, but the untamed wilderness turns out to be just as dangerous (cinematographer Peter Zeitlinger ably captures its cruel beauty). Those who've seen Little Dieter know how this tale ends. Suffice to say, Herzog's reenactment makes for rousing entertainment. If the film has a flaw, it's that the rah-rah finale plays like something from out of a mainstream sports movie. That quibble aside, the actors, including Jeremy Davies as a delusional campmate and Toby Huss as a fellow flyer, are aces. And Herzog, who's been concentrating on nonfiction, like Grizzly Man, proves he can direct a Hollywood-style action epic with the best of 'em. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Beyond Rescue Dawn
 Little Dieter Needs to Fly |  Christian Bale Films |  More from MGM |
Stills from Rescue Dawn
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- VHS » DVD » Genres » Action & Adventure » General
- VHS » DVD » Genres » Military & War » By Theme » P.O.W. Escapes
- VHS » DVD » Specialty Stores » Custom Stores » Actors & Actresses » ( B ) » Bale, Christian
- VHS » DVD » Specialty Stores » Custom Stores » Actors & Actresses » ( D ) » Davies, Jeremy
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- A powerful, inspiring film, but...
I was disturbed to learn, after seeing and admiring Werner Herzog's "Rescue Dawn," that the surviving families of Dieter Dengler and other Vietnam-era POWs depicted in the film accuse Herzog of lying outright about these men and their histories. In particular, they say he desecrates the memory of Gene DeBruin, a far more positive, courageousand altruistic man in real life than as portrayed by Jeremy Davies in the film. In the DVD commentary, Herzog said he wished he had known the additional information ... Read More
Rating: 
- Perhaps I didn't get it, but lame acting
1.This is a great story that needs to be told.
2.However, when the movie was over, I was left with a feeling of disappointed / dissatisfaction.After thinking about it for a while, I guess the my main problem (s) with the film is that the Christian Bale's performance was odd vs unconvincing. I know that the pilot in real life was known for his positive attitude, but Christian Bale's performance makes him out to be a goofball... at times. Being former Navy and in the aviation community, ... Read More
Rating: - One of Christian Bale's best performances
Real tale of a Vietnam pilot who gets shot down, captured and escapes. Amazing performances from Christian Bale and the entire cast. It makes me want to watch the directors other movies that I've been hearing about ('Fitzcarraldo' and'Aguirre' are the most highly regarded, I'll have to see them sometime).
Rating: - GRIPPING AND INSPIRING!
A more psychological POW film than most with good performances through out.
Christian Bales hands in another gut-wrenching performance in this sad, but inspiring tale of a U.S. pilot who gets shot down over Laos during the Vietnam war. The film captures one's man's determination to survive and help his fellow prisoners to escape, but the time line for how long the main character was imprisoned is clouded.
Regardless of a few small flaws, this film will keep most people's interest and shows Bale ... Read More
Rating: 
- Laughable and Awful
The story behind this movie is a great one, too bad the movie is ruined by Bale's horrible acting.There are times this movie embarrassed me it was so bad. Bale was acting like he was in a comedy movie, not in a very dire situation.Tropic Thunder was more serious than this movie.I cant see how anyone can give this any good rating. It is just really awful.
- A powerful, inspiring film, but...I was disturbed to learn, after seeing and admiring Werner Herzog's "Rescue Dawn," that the surviving families of Dieter Dengler and other Vietnam-era POWs depicted in the film accuse Herzog of lying outright about these men and their histories. In particular, they say he desecrates the memory of Gene DeBruin, a far more positive, courageousand altruistic man in real life than as portrayed by Jeremy Davies in the film. In the DVD commentary, Herzog said he wished he had known the additional information ... Read More
- Perhaps I didn't get it, but lame acting1.This is a great story that needs to be told.
2.However, when the movie was over, I was left with a feeling of disappointed / dissatisfaction.After thinking about it for a while, I guess the my main problem (s) with the film is that the Christian Bale's performance was odd vs unconvincing. I know that the pilot in real life was known for his positive attitude, but Christian Bale's performance makes him out to be a goofball... at times. Being former Navy and in the aviation community, ... Read More
- One of Christian Bale's best performancesReal tale of a Vietnam pilot who gets shot down, captured and escapes. Amazing performances from Christian Bale and the entire cast. It makes me want to watch the directors other movies that I've been hearing about ('Fitzcarraldo' and'Aguirre' are the most highly regarded, I'll have to see them sometime).
- GRIPPING AND INSPIRING!A more psychological POW film than most with good performances through out.
Christian Bales hands in another gut-wrenching performance in this sad, but inspiring tale of a U.S. pilot who gets shot down over Laos during the Vietnam war. The film captures one's man's determination to survive and help his fellow prisoners to escape, but the time line for how long the main character was imprisoned is clouded.
Regardless of a few small flaws, this film will keep most people's interest and shows Bale ... Read More
- Laughable and AwfulThe story behind this movie is a great one, too bad the movie is ruined by Bale's horrible acting.There are times this movie embarrassed me it was so bad. Bale was acting like he was in a comedy movie, not in a very dire situation.Tropic Thunder was more serious than this movie.I cant see how anyone can give this any good rating. It is just really awful.
