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Rescue Dawn (2007) DVD Review
Rescue Dawn (2007) DVD Credits:
Rescue Dawn (2007) Directed by:
Werner Herzog
Rescue Dawn (2007) Written by:
Werner Herzog
Rescue Dawn (2007) Cast:
Christian Bale, Steve Zahn, Marshall Bell, François Chau, Jeremy Davies, Craig Gellis, Zach Grenier, Pat Healy, Toby Huss, Bonnie Z. Hutchinson, Evan Jones, Abhijati 'Meuk' Jusakul, Mr. Tony B. King, Mr. Richard Manning, Mr. Garrett D. Melich, Mr. Kriangsak Ming-olo, Mr. Yuttana Muenwaja, Teerawat Mulvilai, Somkuan 'Kuan' Siroon, Mr. Chorn Solyda, Mr. Saichia Wongwiroj
Rescue Dawn (2007) Released by:
Gibraltar Entertainment
Region:
1
Rescue Dawn (2007) DVD Release Date:
20th November 2007
Our Rating: Extras Rating:

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Rescue Dawn (2007) Synopsis:

Christian Bale and Steve Zahn will star in "Rescue Dawn," an action drama by Werner Herzog and based on the director's acclaimed 1997 documentary, "Little Dieter Needs to Fly". The film recounts the true story of German-born Dieter Dengler, who dreamed of being a pilot and eventually made his way to the United States, where he joined the military during the Vietnam War era. He was shot down over Vietnam and captured. Eventually he organized an escape with a small band of captives. Bale will play Dengler, and Zahn will play an ill-looking and bent POW.

Rescue Dawn (2007) DVD Review:

Beautiful, absolutely beautiful. What a story. What a cast. What a breath of fresh air from the bombardment of countless, current mediocre films. Rescue Dawn lives up to expectation and will no doubt be receiving nominations for a number of awards.

The director, Werner Herzog, says it best, “this is not a war movie.” It’s not. Yes, it takes place in Laos in 1965 when there was conflict between the United States and Vietnam. But this film is something so much more. It’s a story of survival, hope, injustice, camaraderie, and humanity. Shot on location in the northwestern corner of Thailand, this stunning masterpiece revolving around a U.S. Fighter pilot grabs the viewer by the heart and holds on tightly until the end credits.

Dieter Dengler (Christian Bale) has wanted to be a pilot since he was a young boy. There’s a special reason behind it but I won’t ruin it. His relationship with his fellow troops starts the film out on a lighthearted note that develops a surprisingly quick connection and bond between the viewer and the characters. Toby Huss, who plays Spook, delivers a spot on performance, even though he has a smaller role. Soon Dieter must embark on his first mission as a U.S. Fighter pilot. Before he and his friends fly into the sky, they engage in a unique ritual that shows the strong bond that develops between men in such situations. Not that soon after his dreams come true, Dieter is shot down into enemy territory and chased by the North Vietnamese. Seeing him fly out of the wreckage of the crash is so compelling, so riveting. The chase starts right away and you don’t even have a chance to think. You are in the scene. You realize that Dieter has literally fallen into a horrifying situation. Christian Bale is amazing from beginning to end. The character he develops is so original and real that you can’t help but attach your attention and emotions to him.

Later, Dieter is captured and he meets his second round of friends—other captured troops who have been in the camp for as long as two years. These characters are the ones that spend the most time with Dieter and show how intensely strong bonds can develop between men with one common goal: survival. Duane (Steve Zahn) and Gene (Jeremy Davies) along with a few others make up the memorable characters that join Dieter in escaping. Jeremy Davies is amazing not only because he lost a disturbing amount of weight but because of his ability to portray Gene as a hopeful scattered brain prisoner and then further develop those traits into something darker. Steve Zahn shows off his acting chops, playing the timid and lovable prisoner who is fully hopeful and trusting of a man he quickly builds a relationship with, Dieter.

Rescue Dawn completely captures your emotions. It’s heartbreaking, it’s funny, it’s horrific, and it’s beautiful. Whether it’s the torture that makes you feel completely sympathetic, the careful planning of the escape, or the way Dieter allows Jumbo (Mr. Kriangsak Ming-olo) to go off into the jungle as the only surviving captor of the camp, you experience the events with the characters and feel that deep connection that audiences yearn for rather than simply being an observer. You can touch the tension with your finger when the escape is in progress. You can taste and understand Duane’s vulnerable vomit. There is a surplus of truly beautiful moments in this film. You get to see multiple scenes of human beings coming together and connecting on a level that some people will never know. They are completely helpless and dependent on each other and yet the only connection they have is survival. Klaus Badelt’s score helps by carrying your emotions to great heights while not becoming too noticeable or taking away from the scenes.

The Special Features on this DVD are phenomenal. Herzog’s commentary throughout the entire film is very insightful. After going through this and the Featurettes, you will fall in love with Werner Herzog as a director and the real Dieter Dengler as a human being. All of the interviews with the cast and crew are heavily intriguing. You get a great inside look of where the story came from, how the film was made, and what it took to make Rescue Dawn so enjoyable.

Everything in Rescue Dawn adds up and produces a story that is impossible to forget. This is a complete DVD that delivers on a multitude of levels. Everything about it can be summed up in one word: beautiful.

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Rescue Dawn (2007) DVD review written by: Bryce Carlson

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