Rescue Dawn - quite possibly, one of the most un-Hollywood-like war films you will ever see

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Randy Cordova

The Arizona Republic

The plot of Rescue Dawn sounds distressingly familiar.

It's the true story of Dieter Dengler (Christian Bale), a U.S. Navy pilot who is shot down over Laos at the dawn of the Vietnam War.

He is captured and placed in a POW camp with five other men. They are held in a bamboo cell, where they sleep in shackles. They are taunted by guards and fed a diet of rice that barely keeps them alive.

Dieter is obsessed with survival and hatches a plan of escape. The movie turns into a harrowing adventure, as he treks through the jungle with another POW, a beaten-down American named Duane (Steve Zahn of Joy Ride).

On paper, it sounds interchangeable with any number of movies. But on screen, under the direction of Werner Herzog, it's a thrilling, heartbreaking experience.

Herzog obviously feels a connection to Dengler, as he also made a documentary about his experiences 10 years ago called Little Dieter Needs to Fly. But Rescue Dawn feels so vivid and authentic, it often has a documentarylike quality to it.

In one sequence, Dieter is dragged on the ground by a cow; at another moment, he has an ants' nest tied to his neck. The sequences are shot claustrophobically, so we can see Bale's terrified face.

The realism is heightened by the sequences in the POW camp, which move at a deliberately slow pace. It is hard to depict monotony on screen without putting viewers to sleep, but Herzog does it brilliantly as the men search for ways to pass the time. Dieter comes up with a game in which they describe the food waiting in their refrigerators at home, and it's sad and funny at the same time.

Rescue Dawn is, quite possibly, one of the most un-Hollywood-like war films you will ever see. There is no triumphantly blaring musical score, no romance shoehorned into the plot.

Even the characters speak like real people. There are no John Wayne speeches; when Dieter is asked for words of wisdom, he offers, "If it itches, scratch it."

The stark realism gives the movie an edgy, overpowering intensity. You feel the heightening fear inside the POW camp, then you feel trapped in the sweltering jungle along with the starving men.

The performances are remarkable. Dieter is slightly crazed and obsessive, with his dreams of escape. He clings to his thoughts of freedom, and you see how Duane buys into the plan.

Zahn, best known for his comedic roles, is even more surprising. There is a hollow, terrified look in his eyes, but as he begins to fall under Dieter's spell, you see him grow in conviction. It is possibly the best work he has ever done.

Whenever a film is based on a true story, there is always a nagging feeling that the moviemakers must have concocted some of the most exciting parts.

But everything about Rescue Dawn feels real, and that is what makes it so powerful.

http://www.azcentral.com/ent/movies/articl...uedawn0727.html

[Yaads 0]

We really want to see this movie as well but it isn't playing in theatres where we live

Hopefully it will come around soon!

[Emancipation 2]

Thanks for that!! Hubby & I were just talking about going to see this movie.

This settles that!! I'll be bringing my Kleenex!!

[mawilson 2,133]

Sounds great.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

No "hooh-ahs!", slow motion shots of the stars and stripes flying in the wind; and classical music to scenes of horrific slaughter?

Christian Bale is a very good actor. Probably something I'll catch on DVD. Jersey is pretty bad for small release movies.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Looks good.

[sara535 15]

I love Christian Bale ( but shhh! dont tell my husband).....

I'll see this for sure, someone post a review after you've seen it!

[almaty 19]

sounds interesting...

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Here's a good version of the trailer for anyone interested!

I'm seeing it tonight!

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809419139/v...wmv-s.36318300-

[Jason-Sasha 1]

I'd certainly see it.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Wow...I didn't know that Christian Bale played the part in Empire Of The Sun!

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Yeah it was his first movie.

Probably be seeing more of that Daniel Radcliffe character after he finishes the Harry Potter flicks. That guy is starting to look like Elijah Woods.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Yeah it was his first movie.

Probably be seeing more of that Daniel Radcliffe character after he finishes the Harry Potter flicks. That guy is starting to look like Elijah Woods.

He does look a bit like Elijah Woods.

I'm amazed with Christian Bale's acting range...in the link I posted above, the second trailer has him being interviewed and you can hear his native, Welsh accent but it's very subtle. I thought he was American all this time.

Edited July 27, 2007 by Mister Fancypants

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Yeah it was his first movie.

Probably be seeing more of that Daniel Radcliffe character after he finishes the Harry Potter flicks. That guy is starting to look like Elijah Woods.

He does look a bit like Elijah Woods.

I'm amazed with Christian Bale's acting range...in the link I posted above, the second trailer has him being interviewed and you can hear his native, Welsh accent but it's very subtle. I thought he was American all this time.

Bale is known for being able to mimic almost any accent flawlessly – unlike Michael Caine who in interviews used to say much the same thing (but he always sounds the same in every movie he’s in).

Going back to that ridiculous Star Wars recasting of Roger Moore as Han Solo. What about…

Michael Caine as Obi-Wan Kenobi!

“Use the bottle of sauce Luke!”

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Yeah it was his first movie.

Probably be seeing more of that Daniel Radcliffe character after he finishes the Harry Potter flicks. That guy is starting to look like Elijah Woods.

He does look a bit like Elijah Woods.

I'm amazed with Christian Bale's acting range...in the link I posted above, the second trailer has him being interviewed and you can hear his native, Welsh accent but it's very subtle. I thought he was American all this time.

Bale is known for being able to mimic almost any accent flawlessly – unlike Michael Caine who in interviews used to say much the same thing (but he always sounds the same in every movie he’s in).

Going back to that ridiculous Star Wars recasting of Roger Moore as Han Solo. What about…

Michael Caine as Obi-Wan Kenobi!

“Use the bottle of sauce Luke!”

LOL You'd make a great casting director!