Rescue Dawn
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Movie Reviews of Rescue Dawn
Movie Review: More than 90% Accurate
Summary: 5 Stars
Let me start this by saying that I was a personal participant in the rescue of Dieter Dengler. I was the loadmaster on the C-130 crew that spotted the fires he set and it was with a parachute from one of the flares he dropped that he signaled the pilot who finally saw him and effected his rescue. I am also an accomplished author and a frequent contributor to VIETNAM magazine.
With that said I must say that after reading Dieter's book and seeing the previous documentary, I am convinced that the criticims put forth regarding the accuracy of the movie are unfounded. Dengler makes it clear in his book that there was bad-blood between the Americans and the Thais and also makes it clear that it was he, in particular, who devised the escape plan. The movie version of his story condenses some events but that is what movies do. It also shows his fires being spotted by helicopters when it was actually a C-130 crew that he signaled, but so what? The movie was shot on location in Thailand using available resources and attention to detail is not possible in that kind of situation. What amazes me is that events depicted in the movie that I thought at the time were hookey actually happened, particularly the scene where his squadron mates spirited him out of the hospital and back to the carrier. As war movies go, this is probably the most historically accurate I've ever seen. As for how Gene DeBruin is portrayed, I would suggest that critics read Dengler's book. While he may be more kooky in the movie than in real life, Dengler implies that he was a little bit off his rocker.
Incidentally, as a fan of EMPIRE OF THE SUN, I don't think Herzog could have made a better choice than Christian Bale to portray a pilot in a survival situation.
Movie Review: A powerful, inspiring film, but...
Summary: 5 Stars
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, courageous and 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 about DeBruin before he made the film; DeBruin's surviving family members, however, say Herzog ignored their multiple attempts to contact him.
This news leaves me sad and uncertain what to think. Certainly Herzog's film, for the sheer quality of what's on screen, is powerful and inspiring. Herzog was so moved by Dengler's story that he filmed it twice: first as a documentary, "Little Dieter Needs to Fly," and then as "Rescue Dawn." The real Dengler--a Navy pilot who was the only Vietnam POW to successfully escape from the Viet Cong--had enough courage, grit, optimism and resourcefulness for a dozen Navy flyers, and Christian Bale gives the performance of his career so far as Dengler. So does Steve Zahn as Duane Martin, Dengler's fellow POW. The film is suspenseful, even harrowing--Herzog, as always, put himself, his cast and his crew through a myriad of extreme situations--and Peter Zeitlinger's photography of the Southeast Asian jungle is magnificent. So how am I to feel upon learning that such a brilliant film misrepresents the lives of some of the people it depicts? All I can say is, see this film for the excellence of its craft, but take the story with a grain of salt.
Movie Review: One of the better films of 2007.
Summary: 5 Stars
Christian Bale gives us yet another fantastic performance this time as U.S. fighter pilot Dieter Dengler whos plane gets shot down in Laos during the early stages of the Vietnam war, he then gets captured, tortured and then eventually sent to a remote P.O.W camp with some other prisoners from the U.S. where he gets held there for several years. This film was inspired by true events, I'm not sure how accurate it is since I didn't have a clue who this guy was before the film but it was quite an extraordinary war/drama film. Anyway the film was directed by Warner Herzog who is a brilliant and accomplished German director who is mostly known for his foreign films this was probably his first mainstream hollywood film, Rescue Dawn had some great cinematography over the vast landscapes and had some nicely shot scenes in the jungle which is really nice to look at not to mention it was visually stunning. The performances from the cast was excellent and definitely worth watching especially from Christian Bale and Steve Zahn as Duane Martin who later joins Dieter in an escape which leads them both to survive outside in the wilderness. I would say that the film was very good however there were a couple of scenes which I thought were a bit corny and lame, it happens towards the end which involves a speech about American patriotism and courage and whatever since I'm not American I just felt bored with this part but the rest of this film was great so I would give it 4.5/5 stars check it out.Movie Review: Give Bale an Oscar Already, and Klaus Bedelt!
Summary: 5 Stars
Christian Bale has found a role and a movie that match his talent, finally. Never mind that it was not a popular theatrical success; this is one that will be watched and remembered for years to come. The criticism hat it offers nothing new in the genre of P.O.W. films is mistaken for one simple reason: the other films don't have Dieter Dengler as a central character. While some have read his behavior while prisoner as arrogant, I found him instead to be optimistic, even, at times, naive; for days after seeing this in the cinema, the scene that remained with me was the one when he first tries to flag down a U.S. helicopter flying over, and instead is shot at, mistaken for the enemy. Dengler, rather than sink into utter despair, shouts back, "Hey, you idiot! You almost hit me!" That, I think, underscores the uniqueness of his character, the irrepressibility that makes him, and Bale's masterpiece of a performance, so unforgettable. This film by the way, is only enhanced by watching the documentary "Little Dieter Needs to Fly," which should have been included in this DVD release. Kudos must also go to Klaus Bedelt, who in my opinion wrote a most poignant and appropriate soundtrack to this film. It brings a depth and dimension to the film, rather than merely hang as a supplement to it. And yet it stands completely alone as well, evocative of the film but not needing it to survive on its own as a stunningly well- wrought and lyrical piece of music.Movie Review: The jungle IS the prison!
Summary: 5 Stars
It's 1965. Dieter Dangler, an Air Force pilot, gets shot down 40 minutes into his first mission. Lost in the jungle, he soons becomes captive in a prison camp, where he leads the other captives on a revolt. Surrounded by jungle, however, escape from one prison soon leads to captivity in another...
Christian Bale is at his finest. He never lets the viewer down; in "Rescue Dawn," he gives you far more than what you ask for. You ask for great acting, he gives you reality (watch the making-of documentary; dear God, the things these actors put themselves through for their art...). Steve Zahn has been known for his comedic roles, but this film should put any doubts about his talent to rest; he is absolutely amazing. Jeremy Davies, too, amazes; the three of them have a certain troubled dynamic that could only come from a true-life story.
And that's the thing--this movie is based on a true story. A little overblown for Hollywood purposes, of course, but we can forgive the director his impulses for drama; he does it amazingly well. There is not one thing about this movie that will let you down (except for the ending, which DOES come off as a feel-good sports movie, but then again, who gives a fart?). If you like your movies honest, if you like your acting/directing raw, then watch "Rescue Dawn" with wide eyes and an open heart. You will be amazed.