Rescue Dawn

(2006)

Todd Says:

3.75 STARS

This is a movie about the capture and escape of a real American pilot, Dieter Dengler played by Bale, during the Vietnam war. Most of the story takes place in a prison camp somewhere in the jungle, where several American pilots and collaborators are being held. The scenes are done perfectly to convey the sense of helplessness and hopelessness that the prisoners where feeling. "The jungle is the prison" one of the other prisoners tells Christain Bale's character, and I think that the director did a great job at getting that point across.

This film does not over-glamorize war, in fact it does the opposite. There are no Rambo characters, invincible and afraid of nothing. Instead there is a group of tired, scared, nearly defeated men trying to survive under the worst conditions imaginable.

This movie is dark and gritty, yet hopeful at the same time. If you like war movies or true stories this would be a great choice, but I think that most people will enjoy this movie.

Alexissays:

3 STARS

Some of my favorite films about war and conflict are about Vietnam so I was pretty interested in this based on true accounts film about a U.S. fighter pilot shot down in Laos circa 1965. Unfortunately, I couldn't seem to get to the point of really caring about the main character. Dieter Dengler, portrayed byChristian Bale, who seems to be hit or miss to me, just seemed a little to over pompous and sure of himself. He wasn't really all that likable and knowing that this is based on the true accounts of a veteran I knew there wasn't really anything that could have been changed and kept the same true feel.

However, costars Steve Zahn and Jeremy Davies were exceptionable, especially Davies in his emaciated capacity after losing only 33 pounds to get into the role of a fellow camp prisoner. I have seen Davies in other roles but none as good or as moving as Rescue Dawn.

Overall, this was a good enough film, the characters seemed more than real as they are beaten down by their captors, the jungle, and the idea of a full on war with Vietnam. Werner Herzog set out to tell Dieter's true story and I can't fault him for not liking Dieter more.