Rated PG-13 for some sequences of intense war violence and torture.

Rescue Dawn breaks little new ground for the repertoire of the brilliant filmmaker Werner Herzog, but in his case, that is not a negative remark at all. The most evident problem is that the film version of Dieter Dengler’s amazing story is not quite as lasting as the documentary featuring the man himself, entitled Little Dieter Needs to Fly. Nonetheless, if viewed back to back, it combines to make an unforgettable experience.

The unbelievable account takes place in 1965, and is based on the life of Dieter Dengler. Dengler (Christian Bale) was born in Germany, and traveled to America because he wished to be a pilot. After he entered the Navy, he became just that, and was ordered with a group on a top-secret mission to fly over Laos. He is shot down, but survives the crash only to be captured by the enemy and thrown into a prison camp. Upon arrival, he meets the fellow prisoners, and learns the ways of the area. Dengler’s only thought is to escape, but the others advise him that he should wait until the rainy season. While formulating the best plan, Dengler develops a friendship with Duane (Steve Zahn), who is one of the only people that share his desire to flee as soon as possible. After the two finagle their way out of the grounds, the quest for freedom has only begun. They must find a way through the thick jungle, eat enough food, and stay away from the enemy. As Duane and Dieter try to signal American aircraft, they begin to lose their grip on sanity.
Christian Bale goes to psychotic, even unhealthy lengths as a performer, but that is exactly why he is so impressive with each turn. As Dieter Dengler, Bale loses an ample amount of weight to fit the role. He did this once before in The Machinist, a slightly flawed, yet intense and excellent film. Bale is such marvelous choice as Dengler. In a career filled with superb performances for acclaimed and legendary filmmakers, Bale never looks back, and continues to charge forward exhibiting such invigorating versatility and acute devotion and perseverance. It might be a little early to bring up Oscar consideration, but in a few months when that becomes a regular phrase in critics’ reviews, I hope that Bale’s work here is not pushed aside. He is magnificent.

One fact that cannot be denied is the startling portrayal of Duane, put forth by Steve Zahn. At a quick glance, it could seem that Zahn is very basic and direct, but take a closer look at the expressions on his face as his character loses all hope and sense of reality. Zahn also slimmed down an incredible 40 pounds for his contribution. This is the same actor that was seen in such atrocities as Sahara and National Security. Now he proven to the world that his abilities extend a bit further that the comedy genre. Jeremy Davies is scary as Gene. The weight loss has been talked about already, but one must see Davies walking around as literally skin and bones.

The best way to describe Bale as Dieter is by referencing Johnny Depp’s perfect depiction as George Jung in Blow. Once moviegoers watch the real person in interviews, and then think back to the submission of the actor, only then will they fully appreciate the achievement. Bale channels the guts, determination, and high-spirited attitude of the Dengler I saw in Little Dieter Needs to Fly tremendously well. Though nothing can compare to observing the real Dengler recreating the encounters he had with the Viet-Cong. His extraordinary time in Laos is told with such legitimate passion that one could build a vision in their minds of his imprisonment.

So, what is wrong with Rescue Dawn? Nothing really, but since this is a prison escape adventure, the mountain that needed to be ascended to warrant four star reviews is a bit more difficult and steep. The genre has been mastered, so by judging this with only that in mind, Rescue Dawn is harrowing and poignant, but not on the level of say The Grand Illusion or The Shawshank Redemption.

I admire how Herzog spends time on both documentaries and features equally. Few do it better. The jungle is familiar territory for Herzog. He has explored it on numerous occasions in the past, but no one encapsulates this unpredictable and gorgeous part of nature like he does. The cinematography of Peter Zeitlinger is stunning as Dengler trudges through the misty thick grass, vines, and trees with scorching hot sun beating down below. Take the scene where Duane and Dieter are moving down a river on a raft, and they hear a noise in the distance. The shot of this perilous waterfall is exhilarating.

The fact that the cast and crew trekked through the sticky and dense jungle of Thailand is not the only exclusive Herzog trait to appreciate. The score is absent for three quarters of the picture, and when it does appear it does not prompt the audience to feel certain emotions, or stir up tears. That has never been Herzog’s style. He selects Klaus Badelt, with his moody and dark music that surrounds with a foreboding feeling, rather than a buoyant one. This does not pack as much penetrating punching power as Aguirre: The Wrath of God or Fitzcarraldo, but Herzog can bring his A-game without Klaus Kinski.

Werner Herzog reveals the internal struggle, dedication, trepidation, and lunacy of obsessive men more adeptly that any other filmmaker. With Dieter Dengler, he has now fulfilled the craving to bring his tale to the screen. This is not a dramatic epic with overwhelming good-byes or excessively preposterous action. Rescue Dawn has a believable heart to accompany its blunt madness. As far as Herzog’s offerings are concerned, this is another commendable entry, but in terms of Vietnam War films, this should have no trouble standing near the leaders of the pack.

Source: 411 Mania