Review of Rescue Dawn (2007) by First L — 08 Sep 2009

Most Americans never heard of the Dutch director, Werner Herzog, but in my opinion, he can show signs of brilliance with his storytelling and filmmaking. With his world-renowned film, Aguirre, the Wrath of God and his take on the remake of the legendary 1922 classic, Nosferatu: The Vampyre, one can see Herzog?s artistic stoke of genius in a few of his filming sequences. Herzog has a remarkable understanding of the environment in which his story takes place (he loves to film landscape shots on location whenever he can) and the human emotional/physical interaction within the environment. Herzog does not like to push his stories along or fill them with unnecessary special effects, overdone bloody action, or repetitive musical scores, he wants us to experience what his characters feel at that very moment of environmental isolation; he wants us to become part of his jungle with his characters.

Rescue Dawn is based on the real life story of U.S. fighter pilot, Dieter Dengler. He is a German-American (German like Herzog) shot down while flying in a black ops mission over Laos during the Vietnam War. I do not want to give away anymore of the story, but this is a film about survival in a hostile environment; not a special effects driven cash cow. Dieter Dengler (played marvelously by Christian Bale) does not try to be the hero (therefore not in possession of power with vulnerability); he is forced to stay positive in order to stay alive and fly once again. There is nothing glamorous about trying to live by eating maggots, snakes, and leaves or having a personal bamboo container you hold all day long to shed your waste. This is a film true to its source material and to the real life horror of being a POW during Vietnam.

As for the acting, Christian Bale is, by far, the highlight of the film. This character fits Bales personality perfectly and Bale really got to show off his skills as a Hollywood actor while keeping his street cred (Bale chooses to act in both: Hollywood big budget and small independent films like this one). Though Herzog?s films are not normally dialogue driven, this film does not deviate from the path too far. Again, the environment takes precedence over the story and Bales acting becomes the rays of sunshine though the dense forest canopy. As for the rest, Jeremy Davies was casted perfectly as Gene from Eugene. This was one role I really liked him in. Also, Steve Zahn had a strong performance as Duane. He really helped round out Bales Dengler character farther in the film when isolation sickness could have kicked in more so.

Come Oscar time, do not be surprised if Bales name comes up for this role. This films character study is the perfect fit for the academy. The film, however, will sadly be over looked. The director, Werner Herzog, has crafted us a beautiful, visionary film with a great theme all people can relate to in one form or another. Surprisingly, this is a film from Herzog that is not a downer or does not have too dark of a theme for the general public. This is definitely a plus so all of us can appreciate such a gifted professional at work. If you miss old school filmmaking at its best, look no further.

Highly recommended!!!