Our Review:

On DVD:

Following up his work on the Dieter Dengler focused “Little Dieter Needs to Fly,” master documentarian Werner Herzog makes his strongest dramatical bid to date with heart-pounding performances from star Christian Bale and a surprisingly moving submission from comedian Steve Zahn.

We loved the film now how about the DVD?

Menus are basic and, perhaps some flashbacks from the film would have enhanced the presentation substantially, especially for the first timer. Still, there are very intuitive featurettes, deleted scenes and a still gallery within.

Features:

Commentary by Director Wener Herzog and Interviewer Norman Hill

Featurettes:

1. Unfinished Business: Telling Dieter’s Story – Herzog talks about the life and the ordeals of the character. Input also from Alexander Dengler, the son of Dieter, Christian Bale and Steve Zahn.

2. Strength of Character – “I met with Werner and I liked the questions that he had for me because they weren’t the ordinary questions that directors often asked” opens Bale who talks about the “curious questions” asked including biting the head off a snake and whether he’d like to sleep in the jungle and wake covered in leeches. Hertzog also talks about Bale’s qualities in capturing Dengler and more.

3. War Stories – Basically about Herzog’s dedication in capturing the story. Herzog talks about a digital effects plagued industry and how he wanted viewers to “trust their eyes again” with real performances. “I found it appealing to work with someone who is an adventurer” says Bale about Herzog.

4. What Would Dieter Do?

The character of Dengler is further explored and explained by Herzog as well as relevant scenes in the film. One such scene is the conflict between Jeremy Davies character Gene “From Eugene” and Dengler.

There’s nothing more that could be done with this indie dramatically war biography. Buy it today or if you’re not really into the heavy stuff, rent.

Original Theatrical Review:

Winner! Master filmmaker Werner Herzog pilots a powerful and riveting trial of the human spirit. Dramatic telling is based on the true story of Dieter Dengler (Christian Bale), a German born U.S. pilot shot down during a secret mission in Laos during the Vietnam War.

Intro tells of 1965, a time when few believed that the conflict in Vietnam would actually turn into a full scale war. One of the first signs of what lay ahead was America’s ‘secret’ mission bombing s of several targets in Laos. Real footage follows and moving to Dengler on the U.S.S. Ranger on the Gulf of Tonkin, 1965. Men are briefed on their undertaking and instructed to discard radios should they be within enemy reach for fear of the Vietcong using this as method to ensnare rescue workers.

Eager to finally get off the ground, Dengler’s first mission proves disastrous as his left wing is torn away after rolling in to shell his assigned target. After wisely (or unwisely?) hiding his radio and taking shelter for a brief time, Dengler is captured and drawn from place to place. He will endure brutal treatment including being tied in the middle of the town and left to soil himself. After refusing to label the U.S.A. as ‘imperialists,’ Dengler is savagely dragged behind a bull and later taken to a Laotian camp where he meets other POW’s. These men are bordering on starvation and have been stomaching harsh treatment for what seems like forever, some for over two and a half years.

From his first night, cheery personality Dengler starts conjuring up methods of escape. This is at first met with words of caution from his five fellow prisoners mostly from Gene ‘from Eugene’ (due to his hometown of Eugene, Oregon). At night, men are placed head to heels next to one another, latched onto wooden braces and handcuffed, much to the dismay of Gene who’s been subjected to Duane (Steve Zahn) sh#tting his pants every night (2,202 times to be exact). During the day six men guard them and barely keep them alive on diets of maggots, worms and more.

Through time Dengler’s resourcefulness and motivation inspires the men to band together and plan their escape before those who grow weary of watching them, decide to end their lives.

Christian Bale and Steve Zahn show true on screen fellowship. Both men reveal their remarkable contribution to their art with losing significant weight which one can pickup from beginning to end. Bale, who shredded down to the bone for “The Machinist,” is no stranger in this respect.

This is Zahn’s dramatic glory and his crowning moment as a truly versatile actor in many a genre. The great surprise is Jeremy Davies of “Manderlay.” The Michigan born actor delivers a sensational supporting act.

Dengler passed away on February 9th, 2001 of Lou Gehrig’s disease and was buried af the Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C. Before Dengler died, he was awarded the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, the Navy Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Truly, a man who has left his mark on the world of heroism.

How fitting that this be released on July 4th…

M.P.A.A Rating: Rated PG-13

Language/s:

Web Sites: Official Site

Directed By:

Werner Herzog

Written By:

Werner Herzog

Produced By:

Elton Brand, Steve Marlton

Starring:English

Christian Bale, Steve Zahn, Jeremy Davies, Pat Healy, Evan Jones, Galen Yuen, GQ, Mr. Garrett D. Melich

Synopsis:

In the annals of history's great escapes there is no other story like that of Dieter Dengler, the only American to ever break out of a POW camp in the impenetrable Laotian jungle. After months plotting his getaway from a harrowing prison and a death-defying journey through some of the world's fiercest wilderness, Dengler appeared at his first press conference looking like a dashing movie star and showing neither sentimentality nor bitterness - simply an indomitable will to survive that allowed him to triumph against impossible odds.

Now, from legendary director Werner Herzog ("Grizzly Man," "Fitzcarraldo") and starring acclaimed actor Christian Bale ("Batman Begins," "The Prestige") comes the incredible true story of a man who, from the depths of total darkness, blazed his own willful path to freedom. A blistering action-adventure and a stark epic of survival, RESCUE DAWN reveals how Dieter Dengler relied on the most primal qualities of evasion, endurance, tenacity and courage to find his way home.

Filming Locations:

Thailand

Alternate Title: There is no alternate title for this release.