Rescue Dawn
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''Rescue Dawn'' is a 2006
epic Epic commonly refers to: * Epic poetry, a long narrative poem celebrating heroic deeds and events significant to a culture or nation * Epic film, a genre of film defined by the spectacular presentation of human drama on a grandiose scale Epic(s) ...
war
drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. The drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular ...
written and directed by
Werner Herzog Werner Herzog (; né Stipetić; born 5 September 1942) is a German filmmaker, actor, opera director, and author. Regarded as a pioneer of New German Cinema, his films often feature ambitious protagonists with impossible dreams, people with unusu ...
, based on the true story of Dieter Dengler (played by
Christian Bale Christian Charles Philip Bale (born 30 January 1974) is an English actor. Known for his versatility and physical transformations for his roles, he has been a leading man in films of several genres. List of awards and nominations received by C ...
), a
German-American German Americans (, ) are Americans who have full or partial German ancestry. According to the United States Census Bureau's figures from 2022, German Americans make up roughly 41 million people in the US, which is approximately 12% of the pop ...
pilot who was shot down and captured by villagers sympathetic to the
Pathet Lao The Pathet Lao (), officially the Lao People's Liberation Army, was a communist political movement and political organization, organization in Laos, formed in the mid-20th century. The group ultimately gained control over the entire country of ...
during an American military campaign in the
Vietnam War The Vietnam War (1 November 1955 – 30 April 1975) was an armed conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia fought between North Vietnam (Democratic Republic of Vietnam) and South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam) and their allies. North Vietnam w ...
. Steve Zahn, Jeremy Davies, and Toby Huss have prominent supporting roles in the film. In 1997, Herzog made a
documentary film A documentary film (often described simply as a documentary) is a nonfiction Film, motion picture intended to "document reality, primarily for instruction, education or maintaining a Recorded history, historical record". The American author and ...
about Dengler titled '' Little Dieter Needs to Fly''. ''Rescue Dawn'', which focuses on Dengler's experiences as a
prisoner of war A prisoner of war (POW) is a person held captive by a belligerent power during or immediately after an armed conflict. The earliest recorded usage of the phrase "prisoner of war" dates back to 1610. Belligerents hold prisoners of war for a ...
, began shooting in
Thailand Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand and historically known as Siam (the official name until 1939), is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. With a population of almost 66 million, it spa ...
in August 2005. It received critical acclaim, but was a box office failure.


Plot

In February 1966, while on a combat mission, Lieutenant Dieter Dengler, a German-born U.S. Navy pilot in squadron VA-145, flying from the carrier USS ''Ranger'', is shot down in his Douglas A-1 Skyraider over Laos. He survives the crash, only to be captured by the
Pathet Lao The Pathet Lao (), officially the Lao People's Liberation Army, was a communist political movement and political organization, organization in Laos, formed in the mid-20th century. The group ultimately gained control over the entire country of ...
. Dengler is offered leniency by the province governor if he will sign a document condemning America, but he refuses, so he is tortured and taken to a
prisoner of war camp A prisoner-of-war camp (often abbreviated as POW camp) is a site for the containment of enemy fighters captured as prisoners of war by a belligerent power in time of war. There are significant differences among POW camps, internment camps, ...
. There, he meets his fellow prisoners, some of whom have been captives for years: American pilots Gene DeBruin and Duane W. Martin, Hong Kong Chinese radio operator Y.C. To, Thai Air America freight employee Phisit Intharathat, and Procet. Dengler immediately plans to escape, but receives only grudging support from the other prisoners. All are suffering from malnutrition, unhygienic conditions, and abuse by the guards. After several months, the food supply worsens further, and the prisoners learn that the starving guards are planning to kill them and return to their homes, so they agree to put Dieter's long-prepared plan into action. This involves escaping through a weakened section of the perimeter fence, dividing into two groups, circling the perimeter fence in opposite directions, converging on the guard hut during the lunch hour to overwhelm the guards, and contacting the American forces for rescue. Due to one party of prisoners disobeying Dengler's orders, the escape does not go according to plan, and nearly all the guards end up being shot. With insufficient equipment and supplies, the prisoners disperse in the jungle. Dengler and Martin form one group, while Gene and To leave together to an uncertain fate. Dengler and Martin head towards the
Mekong River The Mekong or Mekong River ( , ) is a transboundary river in East Asia and Southeast Asia. It is the world's List of rivers by length, twelfth-longest river and List of longest rivers of Asia, the third-longest in Asia with an estimated l ...
with a plan to cross over into Thailand by fashioning a crude raft, but they run afoul of rapids and a waterfall. Martin gets progressively weaker as they wander through the jungle on foot, and, after Dengler fails to signal an American helicopter by starting a fire, he and Martin stumble into a small village, where a mob of angry villagers decapitate Martin. Dengler escapes and flees back into the jungle, hiding from the pursuing villagers. A few days later, he is finally rescued by an American helicopter and taken to a hospital in a U.S. compound, but kept isolated, as his mission was classified. Eventually, his squadron members are allowed to visit, and they arrange his escape back to his ship, where the whole crew welcomes him as a hero.


Cast


Production


Background and development

''Rescue Dawn'' is based on the true story of Dieter Dengler, a charismatic pilot who was shot down in Laos while on a covert attack mission for the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. A few months after being captured in 1966, Dengler and other POWs who were being held captive targeted July 4 for their mass escape. The prisoners had overheard the guards in mid-June planning to kill all of them and return to their villages because a drought had caused a severe shortage of food and water. The POWs decided they could not wait any longer to make their escape.Henderson, Bruce
"Dieter Dengler's great escape from Laotian POW Camp."
''HistoryNet.com'', July 12, 2010. Retrieved: December 13, 2015.
Dengler and fellow POW Duane W. Martin made their eventual run from their prisoner camp into dense jungle. Martin was killed by an enraged Laotian villager, but Dengler was able to continue on. Two rescue helicopters were scrambled to rescue Dengler, dropping a cable down to the human figure they spotted below. They winched him on board, but, fearful that he could be a
Viet Cong The Viet Cong (VC) was an epithet and umbrella term to refer to the communist-driven armed movement and united front organization in South Vietnam. It was formally organized as and led by the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, and ...
suicide bomber, the pararescue crewman, A1C Michael Leonard from Lawler, Iowa, pinned Dengler to the helicopter floor and searched him. Dengler told Leonard that he was a Navy pilot who had been shot down and captured and recently escaped. Herzog, fascinated by the cruelties of man and nature, became interested in Dengler's story and made the documentary '' Little Dieter Needs to Fly'' in 1997. When he chose to revisit the story in a cinematic theatrical version, he cast
Christian Bale Christian Charles Philip Bale (born 30 January 1974) is an English actor. Known for his versatility and physical transformations for his roles, he has been a leading man in films of several genres. List of awards and nominations received by C ...
as Dengler. Compared to ''Little Dieter Needs to Fly'', ''Rescue Dawn'' understates the suffering of the prisoners, including omitting some of the worst torture experienced by Dengler, as the film is rated PG-13.Winter, Jessica
"Re-orchestrated, scripted and rehearsed: How Werner Herzog handles the truth."
''Slate'', July 5, 2007. Retrieved: December 13, 2015.


Filming

Principal photography Principal photography is the phase of producing a film or television show in which the bulk of shooting takes place, as distinct from the phases of pre-production and post-production. Personnel Besides the main film personnel, such as the ...
took place over 44 days in
Thailand Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand and historically known as Siam (the official name until 1939), is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. With a population of almost 66 million, it spa ...
. In preparation for their roles, the actors playing the prisoners spent several months losing weight. Since weight gain is accomplished more quickly than weight loss, the film was shot in reverse, with Bale fully regaining his weight over the course of the shoot. The film includes the first major use of digital visual effects in Herzog's career, as the shots of Dengler's flight were created digitally, though the crash is live action. Herzog, Werner (Director). (2007). ''Rescue Dawn'' otion picture United States:
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (also known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, commonly shortened to MGM or MGM Studios) is an American Film production, film and television production and film distribution, distribution company headquartered ...
.


Music and soundtrack

The original motion picture soundtrack for ''Rescue Dawn'' was released by
Milan Records Milan Records is a record label located in Los Angeles, California specializing in film scores and soundtrack albums. In addition, Milan has an electronic catalog which features down-tempo, chillout, and eclectic electronic releases. In July 2 ...
on June 26, 2007. It features classical music, with considerable use of the cello and piano. The film's score was written by German composer Klaus Badelt, who had previously worked with Herzog on the 2001 film '' Invincible''. Original songs written by musical artists Ernst Reijseger, Patty Hill, Craig Eastman, and Jack Shaindlin, among others, were also used in the film. Peter Austin edited the music. Track listing: # "Dieter's Theme" – 3:23 # "Journey" – 1:22 # "Hope" – 5:28 # "Sign This" – 1:33 # "Gathering Rice" – 1:48 # "The Plan" – 2:24 # "After The Fire" – 1:56 # "Rain" – 2:58 # "Operation Rescue Dawn" – 2:43 # "It's Him" – 4:07 # "Keep Your Head Down" – 0:54 # "America Gave Me Wings" – 1:58 # "Mirror" – 1:46 # "Sleepwalkers" – 2:42 # "Rescue" – 4:45 # "Lights (Rescue Dawn Version)" – 4:20 # "Dieter's Theme Reprise" – 1:49 # "This Is How I Remember Him" – 2:35


Historical accuracy

In real life, Dengler spoke English with a heavy German accent, which was reduced in Bale's portrayal "to almost zero". The film depicts six total prisoners in Dengler's camp, while in real life there were seven. Herzog said he found the writing to be difficult with seven characters, and six was a more manageable number. Jerry DeBruin, brother of Gene DeBruin, created a website critical of Herzog and the film on which he claimed that several characters and events in the film are falsely portrayed. On the same website, Phisit Intharathat, the only survivor of Dengler's group of prisoners other than Dengler, also stated that the film contains inaccuracies. The site claims that during his imprisonment, DeBruin taught his cellmates English, shared his food, and even returned after escaping to help an injured cellmate. In the film, Dengler formulates the entire escape plan, along with uncuffing the prisoners' handcuffs with a nail. According to Jerry DeBruin, the prisoners waited for two weeks before telling him of the plan, which had been devised before his arrival. ''Rescue Dawn: The Truth''. Retrieved: July 10, 2010. Herzog acknowledged that DeBruin acted heroically during his imprisonment, refusing to leave while some sick prisoners remained, and probably would have written the character differently, but he was unaware of this information until after the film had been completed. Intharathat and Jerry DeBruin stated that they made multiple attempts to meet with Herzog to ensure the film's accuracy, but without success.


Release

''Rescue Dawn'' was distributed by
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (also known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, commonly shortened to MGM or MGM Studios) is an American Film production, film and television production and film distribution, distribution company headquartered ...
theatrically in the United States, and by
Pathé Distribution Pathé SAS (; styled as PATHÉ!) is a French major film production and distribution company, owning a number of cinema chains through its subsidiary Pathé Cinémas and television networks across Europe. It is the name of a network of Fren ...
, Hopscotch Films, and Central Film GmbH in foreign markets. It was originally scheduled to be released in the U.S. by MGM in December 2006, but was held back until 2007, with a
limited release __FORCETOC__ Limited theatrical release is a film distribution strategy of releasing a new film in a few cinemas across a country, typically art house theaters in major metropolitan markets. Since 1994, a limited theatrical release in the Unite ...
in New York City, Toronto, and Los Angeles on July 4, and a
wide release In the motion picture industry, a wide release (short for nationwide release) is a film playing at the same time at cinemas in most markets across a country. This is in contrast to the formerly common practice of a roadshow theatrical release in ...
on July 27.


Home media

The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray on November 20, 2007."Widescreen DVD: 'Rescue Dawn'."
''
Barnes & Noble Barnes & Noble Booksellers is an American bookseller with the largest number of retail outlets in the United States. The company operates approximately 600 retail stores across the United States. Barnes & Noble operates mainly through its B ...
''. Retrieved: December 14, 2015.
"Widescreen Blu-ray: 'Rescue Dawn'."
''
Barnes & Noble Barnes & Noble Booksellers is an American bookseller with the largest number of retail outlets in the United States. The company operates approximately 600 retail stores across the United States. Barnes & Noble operates mainly through its B ...
''. Retrieved: December 14, 2015.
According to the website The Numbers, it has earned an estimated $25,361,799 from DVD sales in the United States.


Reception


Box office

During its 17-week theatrical run, the film grossed $5,490,423 in the U.S. and Canada and $1,686,720 in other territories, for a total theatrical gross of $7,177,143. It ranked 178th at the 2007 box office. The film was considered a financial failure due to its $10 million budget, but was able to recoup its losses from DVD rentals and sales. Opening in six locations in the United States on July 4, 2007, the film grossed $110,326 its opening weekend. After expanding to 500 theaters on July 24, it earned $1,650,282, enough to finish in a distant 11th place at the weekend box office."July 27–29, 2007 Weekend."
''
Box Office Mojo Box Office Mojo is an American website that tracks box-office revenue in a systematic, algorithmic way. The site was founded in 1998 by Brandon Gray, and was bought in 2008 by IMDb, which itself is owned by Amazon. History Brandon Gray ...
''. Retrieved: July 10, 2007.
The film's revenue dropped by 66% its second week in wide release, earning $560,903 and falling to 18th place."August 3–5, 2007 Weekend."
''
Box Office Mojo Box Office Mojo is an American website that tracks box-office revenue in a systematic, algorithmic way. The site was founded in 1998 by Brandon Gray, and was bought in 2008 by IMDb, which itself is owned by Amazon. History Brandon Gray ...
''. Retrieved: December 14, 2015.


Critical response

Preceding its theatrical run, ''Rescue Dawn'' received generally positive critical reviews. On the film
review aggregator A review aggregator is a system that collects reviews and ratings of products and services, such as films, books, video games, music, software, hardware, or cars. This system then stores the reviews to be used for supporting a website where user ...
website
Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes is an American review aggregator, review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee ...
, 90% of 162 critics' reviews of the film are positive, with an average rating of 7.5/10; the site's "critics consensus" reads: "Director Werner Herzog has once again made a compelling tale of man versus nature, and Christian Bale completely immerses himself in the role of fighter pilot (and prisoner of war) Dieter Dengler.""Rescue Dawn (2007)."
''
Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes is an American review aggregator, review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee ...
'' (IGN Entertainment). Retrieved: June 13, 2024.
On
Metacritic Metacritic is an American website that aggregates reviews of films, television shows, music albums, video games, and formerly books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted average). Metacritic was created ...
the film has a
weighted average The weighted arithmetic mean is similar to an ordinary arithmetic mean (the most common type of average), except that instead of each of the data points contributing equally to the final average, some data points contribute more than others. The ...
score of 77 out of 100 based on reviews from 36 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.Rescue Dawn
Metacritic Metacritic is an American website that aggregates reviews of films, television shows, music albums, video games, and formerly books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted average). Metacritic was created ...
. CNET Networks. Retrieved: July 10, 2010.
Kirk Honeycutt, writing in ''
The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Cinema of the United States, Hollywood film industry, film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade pap ...
'', said actor Bale's performance was "most complex and compelling". He praised Herzog for his use of "lush jungle locations in Thailand, eloquent camera work and an unobtrusive but powerful music score", which brought to life the "story of a man in the wilderness battling the elements on his own terms".
Roger Ebert Roger Joseph Ebert ( ; June 18, 1942 – April 4, 2013) was an American Film criticism, film critic, film historian, journalist, essayist, screenwriter and author. He wrote for the ''Chicago Sun-Times'' from 1967 until his death in 2013. Eber ...
of the ''
Chicago Sun-Times The ''Chicago Sun-Times'' is a daily nonprofit newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Since 2022, it is the flagship paper of Chicago Public Media, and has long held the second largest circulation among Chicago newspaper ...
'' called ''Rescue Dawn'' "perhaps the most believable
ovie Ovie is a given name, nickname and surname. It translates to king in the Isoko language of Delta State in southern Nigeria. Nickname * Alexander Ovechkin (born 1985), Russian ice hockey player * Ovie Alston (1905–1989), American jazz trumpete ...
that Herzog has made", while exclaiming: "There is nothing in it we cannot, or do not, believe. I was almost prepared to compare it to the classic storytelling of
John Huston John Marcellus Huston ( ; August 5, 1906 – August 28, 1987) was an American film director, screenwriter and actor. He wrote the screenplays for most of the 37 feature films he directed, many of which are today considered classics. He rec ...
when I realized it had crucial Herzogian differences".Ebert, Roger
Rescue Dawn
''
Chicago Sun-Times The ''Chicago Sun-Times'' is a daily nonprofit newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Since 2022, it is the flagship paper of Chicago Public Media, and has long held the second largest circulation among Chicago newspaper ...
'', July 12, 2007. Retrieved: December 14, 2015.
In the ''
San Francisco Chronicle The ''San Francisco Chronicle'' is a newspaper serving primarily the San Francisco Bay Area of Northern California. It was founded in 1865 as ''The Daily Dramatic Chronicle'' by teenage brothers Charles de Young and M. H. de Young, Michael H. ...
'', Walter Addiego wrote that the film was "an old-fashioned prisoner-of-war movie that becomes much more because of writer-director Werner Herzog's admiration for the remarkable true story of its
protagonist A protagonist () is the main character of a story. The protagonist makes key decisions that affect the plot, primarily influencing the story and propelling it forward, and is often the character who faces the most significant obstacles. If a ...
, Dieter Dengler". He thought the director "found an actor capable of conveying the Herzog-ian hero—wounded, a holy fool, a crackpot, a dreamer of outsized dreams—in everyone." Scott Bowles of ''
USA Today ''USA Today'' (often stylized in all caps) is an American daily middle-market newspaper and news broadcasting company. Founded by Al Neuharth in 1980 and launched on September 14, 1982, the newspaper operates from Gannett's corporate headq ...
'' said the film was "cold and unforgiving and chilling to behold". He declared: "War stories don't get much more harrowing or detached than ''Rescue Dawn'', and that's both blessing and curse for the Werner Herzog film." The film was not without its detractors, however. Rick Groen of ''
The Globe and Mail ''The Globe and Mail'' is a Newspapers in Canada, Canadian newspaper printed in five cities in Western Canada, western and central Canada. With a weekly readership of more than 6 million in 2024, it is Canada's most widely read newspaper on week ...
'', felt that "The strangely hybrid result, half Herzog and half Hollywood, plays like its own battleground. Sometimes, the tension is fascinatingly productive; other times, all we get is the worst of both worlds". Equally unimpressed was Paula Nechak of the ''
Seattle Post-Intelligencer The ''Seattle Post-Intelligencer'' (popularly known as the ''Seattle P-I'', the ''Post-Intelligencer'', or simply the ''P-I'') is an online newspaper and former print newspaper based in Seattle, Washington (state), Washington, United States. Th ...
'', who called ''Rescue Dawn'' "a noble effort that can't quite make itself unique in a saturated genre", adding that Herzog "already has covered much of the tropical terrain of his long-delayed action film in his 1997 documentary ''Little Dieter Needs To Fly''".Nechak, Paula.
"Pilot's desperate jungle escape saga fails to take off."
''
Seattle Post-Intelligencer The ''Seattle Post-Intelligencer'' (popularly known as the ''Seattle P-I'', the ''Post-Intelligencer'', or simply the ''P-I'') is an online newspaper and former print newspaper based in Seattle, Washington (state), Washington, United States. Th ...
'', July 12, 2007. Retrieved: December 14, 2015.
Alternatively, J. Hoberman of ''
The Village Voice ''The Village Voice'' is an American news and culture publication based in Greenwich Village, New York City, known for being the country's first Alternative newspaper, alternative newsweekly. Founded in 1955 by Dan Wolf (publisher), Dan Wolf, ...
'', said the film "rivals '' Apocalypto'' as a jungle marathon, has all this and more". He also noted that "Bale even looks authentically starved (as in '' The Machinist''). But seeing Dengler's adventure staged hardly seems more real than hearing his account—although, as conventionally framed and lit as it is, ''Rescue Dawn'' is the closest thing to a 'real' movie that Herzog has ever made." Writing for ''
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...
'', Matt Zoller Seitz said the "story’s basis in fact doesn’t inoculate it against charges of predictability. Klaus Badelt’s score can be intrusively emphatic. And the triumphant ending—in which Dengler is welcomed back to his carrier with applause and speeches—is disappointingly conventional". Overall though, he did commend the film, stating, "'Rescue Dawn' is a marvel: a satisfying genre picture that challenges the viewer’s expectations".Seitz, Matt Zoller
"A Vietnam P.O.W. story, tangling with the vines of convention."
''The New York Times'', July 4, 2007. Retrieved: December 14, 2015.
James Berardinelli, writing for '' ReelViews'', called ''Rescue Dawn'' "a solid effort from Herzog that fans of the genre should actively seek out" and noted that "Herzog understood when he made ''Little Dieter Needs to Fly'' that the ex-pilot's story would make an excellent feature. It's surprising it has taken him so long to make that movie." Berardinelli also commented that "Christian Bale continues to amaze with his ability and range. He may be the most versatile under-40 performer today. No role seems to be beyond him, and he has worked with some of the best directors of his era".Berardinelli, James
"Review: 'Rescue Dawn' (United States, 2006)."
'' ReelViews'', July 2007. Retrieved: December 14, 2015.
Describing some pitfalls, Elizabeth Weitzman of the ''
NY Daily News The ''Daily News'' is an American newspaper based in Jersey City, New Jersey. It was founded in 1919 by Joseph Medill Patterson in New York City as the ''Illustrated Daily News''. It was the first U.S. daily printed in tabloid format, and rea ...
'' said there was "an odd emotional disconnect leading up to the climactic escape, which can be traced directly to the performances".Weitzman, Elizabeth
"Flawed movie, great escape."
''
NY Daily News The ''Daily News'' is an American newspaper based in Jersey City, New Jersey. It was founded in 1919 by Joseph Medill Patterson in New York City as the ''Illustrated Daily News''. It was the first U.S. daily printed in tabloid format, and rea ...
'', July 3, 2007. Retrieved: December 14, 2015.
Although quick to admit that "Herzog builds suspense from the start, and the movie is shot spectacularly", ultimately, Weitzman was disappointed, saying: "There is a great movie in Werner Herzog's Vietnam saga, ''Rescue Dawn''. Unfortunately, it's about 30 minutes too long. Although the rest of this based-on-truth adventure is woven with powerful moments, only toward the end will it hold you completely in its grip." Ann Hornaday of ''
The Washington Post ''The Washington Post'', locally known as ''The'' ''Post'' and, informally, ''WaPo'' or ''WP'', is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C., the national capital. It is the most widely circulated newspaper in the Washington m ...
'' called ''Rescue Dawn'' "an original addition to the war film canon. It's an instant classic of the form, a portrait of courage and sacrifice at their most stirring, but subversively resisting cant and cliche". She believed that "such a masterful depiction of American heroism and can-do spirit has been created by a German art film director known for considerably darker visions of obsession is an irony Herzog no doubt finds delicious", and also emphasized how "There's a sense of austerity underlying ''Rescue Dawn'', all the more admirable for being so rare in Hollywood storytelling."Hornaday Ann
"Review: 'Rescue Dawn'."
''
The Washington Post ''The Washington Post'', locally known as ''The'' ''Post'' and, informally, ''WaPo'' or ''WP'', is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C., the national capital. It is the most widely circulated newspaper in the Washington m ...
'', July 13, 2007. Retrieved: December 14, 2015.
Similarly, David Ansen wrote in ''
Newsweek ''Newsweek'' is an American weekly news magazine based in New York City. Founded as a weekly print magazine in 1933, it was widely distributed during the 20th century and has had many notable editors-in-chief. It is currently co-owned by Dev P ...
'' that "''Rescue Dawn'' is a Werner Herzog movie (and a true story), and though it's as taut and exciting as many edge-of-your-seat Hollywood escape movies, there's a mania about Dieter that sets him apart, a wild-eyed bravado that suggests the line between bravery and complete lunacy is a thin one." Michael Phillips of the ''
Chicago Tribune The ''Chicago Tribune'' is an American daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1847, it was formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper", a slogan from which its once integrated WGN (AM), WGN radio and ...
'', however, was not moved by the storytelling, writing: "''Rescue Dawn'' is Herzog's first English-language screenplay, and this is part of its problem: The hushed conversations between prisoners sound only fitfully idiomatic. Also – crucially – Herzog can't find a way to make his own big finish feel authentic, even if things did happen roughly this way." On the other hand, critic
Leonard Maltin Leonard Michael Maltin (born December 18, 1950) is an American film critic, film historian, and author. He is known for his book of film capsule reviews, '' Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide'', published from 1969 to 2014. Maltin was the film criti ...
praised the film, which he called a "Gripping reworking of Herzog's 1997 documentary ''Little Dieter Needs to Fly''", and an "edge-of-your-seat POW story". Various critics included the film on their lists of the top 10 best films of the year, such as V. A. Musetto of the ''
New York Post The ''New York Post'' (''NY Post'') is an American Conservatism in the United States, conservative daily Tabloid (newspaper format), tabloid newspaper published in New York City. The ''Post'' also operates three online sites: NYPost. ...
'', who called it one of the best films of 2007.


Accolades

For their performances in the film, Bale and Zahn were nominated for multiple awards, including, respectively, at the Golden Satellite Awards and the
Independent Spirit Awards The Independent Spirit Awards, originally known as the FINDIE or Friends of Independents Awards, and later as the Film Independent Spirit Awards, are awards presented annually in Santa Monica, California, to independent filmmakers. Founded in ...
. Bale won an award from the
San Diego Film Critics Society The San Diego Film Critics Society (SDFCS) is an organization of film reviewers from San Diego–based publications that was founded in 1997. Overview The San Diego Film Critics Society (SDFCS) is composed of print, television, radio and digit ...
for his "body of work" in 2007, which included this film, as well as '' 3:10 to Yuma'' and ''
I'm Not There ''I'm Not There'' is a 2007 musical drama film directed by Todd Haynes, who co-wrote the screenplay with Oren Moverman, based on a story by Haynes. An experimental biographical film, it is inspired by the life and music of American singer-so ...
''."Winners and Nominees."
''San Diego Film Critics Society''. Retrieved: July 10, 2007.


References


Bibliography

* Anton, Frank. ''Why Didn't You Get Me Out?: A POW's Nightmare in Vietnam''. New York: St. Martin's Press, 2000. . * Bailey, Lawrence. ''Solitary Survivor: The First American POW in Southeast Asia''. Lincoln, Nebraska: Potomac Books, 2003. . * Dengler, Dieter. ''Escape From Laos''. New York: Presidio Press: 1997 . * Henderson, Bruce. ''Hero Found: The Greatest POW Escape of the Vietnam War''. New York: Harper, 2010. . * Maltin, Leonard. ''Leonard Maltin's 2009 Movie Guide''. New York: Signet, 2008. . * Prager, Brad.''The Cinema of Werner Herzog: Aesthetic Ecstasy and Truth''. New York: Wallflower Press, 2007. . * Rowe, James. ''Five Years to Freedom: The True Story of a Vietnam POW''. New York: Presidio Press, 1984 . * Wilms, Wilfried. ''Bombs Away! Representing the Air War over Europe and Japan''. Amsterdam, the Netherlands: Rodopi, 2006. .


External links

* * *
Interview with Werner Herzog @ Fresh Air, w/Terry Gross-07-25-07
* ,
Pisidhi Indradat Phisit Intharathat (, sometimes translated as Pisidhi Indradat) is a Thai citizen who was retrieved during a successful prisoner of war rescue of the Vietnam War. After service as a commando in the Thai Border Patrol Police Parachute Aerial Resupp ...
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rescue Dawn 2006 films 2006 drama films 2000s war drama films American aviation films American epic films American historical action films American survival films American war drama films Lao-language films Vietnamese-language films American docudrama films Films scored by Klaus Badelt Films about prison escapes Films about shot-down aviators Films about the United States Air Force Films about the United States Navy Films directed by Werner Herzog Films set in the 1960s Films shot in Thailand Historical epic films Vietnam War films based on actual events Vietnam War prisoner of war films 2000s English-language films 2000s American films English-language war drama films