Does anybody else believe Christian Bale should be awarded a special Academy Award for Excellence In Script Selection? Rescue Dawn is just his latest brilliant movie that goes all the way back to Empire of the Sun 20 years ago and it is one of the best prison films ever, right up there with Papillon and Midnight Express. Bale is, as always, a wonder to watch. He once again becomes the character he is playing without a false note. Rescue Dawn is well worth seeing just for the cinematography and score alone, add to that Steve Zahn's best performance to date and Christian Bale and it becomes a Must See!!… Expand

This is an amazing movie, a real artistic triumph. As with all Herzog's based-on-fact films it is largely fictionalized - which has lead the family members of one of the people a character is based on to go on the warpath - but expecting a dramatized movie to qualify as a history lesson is rather foolish. Christian Bale, Jeremy Davies and Steve Zahn all give excellent performances and the movie is an intense masterpiece. Highly recommended - and Herzog's earlier documentary on the same subject, Little Dieter Needs To Fly, is even better!… Expand

A tremendous movie. Bale's performance is impressive precisely because he makes choices that aren't "obvious" - he's odd and entirely convincing. Herzog does a first-rate job as a director. There's hardly a false moment to be found.

Movie or no movie, a torrential downpour is still a torrential downpour, live worms in your mouth are live worms in your mouth, and most daunting of all, that evidence of gravity Christian Bale and Steve Zahn heard as they hurtled down the rapids must've put the fear of God in their collective Hollywood hearts, because I'm sure they were thinking the same thing- I hope Herr Direktor doesn't ask us to test gravity. When Dieter Dengler(Bale) flags down that chopper, "Rescue Dawn" doubles as a momentary documentary, because I suspect Bale is flagging down that chopper down, too. Call it post-method. To himself, Bale seems to be thinking- I'm famous. Get me out of here. I'm scared. This man keeps calling me Klaus.- Bale and his fellow actors apparently survived a challenging shoot, but it was worth it. "Rescue Dawn" is a mostly extraordinary tale of survival in the bush. And best of all, I saw it in a mall with a real audience.… Expand

Great acting, great cinematography, great musical score, but bizarre, at times. And I didn't care for the ending. But overall, very good film.

So what if there was some artistic license? This was a brilliant if somewhat by-the-book classic POW movie that gets the job done. Herzog stretches the tension skillfully and Bale should be an Oscar contender for his performance. Stays with you.

Acclaimed for his rigid style and dedication to the details of nature, Werner Herzog captivates his viewers by capturing the beauty within any and everything he so chooses to film. His latest project, 'Rescue Dawn,' though exceptional, is no exception. Herzog, who writes and directs for the film, again focuses his lens on Dieter Dengler – also the subject of Herzog’s commended 1997 documentary, 'Little Dieter Needs to Fly' – and, with cinematographer Peter Zeitlinger ('Grizzly Man') at his side once more, creates an account as compelling and commanding as it is lusciously photographed. Taking place at the start of the Vietnam War, the film wastes no time before throwing Dieter’s plane over Laos, where it is shot down just minutes after his highly classified mission had commenced. After surviving the plane crash, Dieter finds himself being very closely pursued by Vietcong, and ventures out into North Vietnam’s unforgiving jungle, where he is eventually captured and bound. He is then taken to a POW camp where he meets two Americans, Duane and Gene (Zahn and Davies), and three other captives, who have been imprisoned in the camp for over two years. Over the course of many months, Dieter and his fellow prisoners of war devise a plan of escape, while enduring torture and starvation. However, once they’ve successfully fled the confinements of the camp, they face even more sever conditions in the jungle, where – with only a machete and a rifle – they must survive the climate, the hunger, and themselves. Christian Bale, who shredded over 100 lbs for the role, embodies his German-born subject with ferocity and fervor. His character, Dieter, has such a will to outlive the unbearable circumstances, and Bale exemplifies that will with chilling conviction. Strong supporting performances by Steve Zahn and Jeremy Davies – who’s character, Gene, is sitting on the brink of insanity – depict fearlessly the terrible state to which these men had been reduced to. With Herzog’s veteran hand at the helm and Bale’s further-progressing talent illuminating the film, 'Rescue Dawn' makes for one of this year’s most harrowing movie experiences that will inspire tears, smiles and, ultimately, an appreciation for what this man endured for the country he loved so much.… Expand

Thrilling and exhilarating. No going back for that refill on popcorn during this movie. If I was in this situation I want Dengler with me. Christian Bale earned himself better roles with his acting in Rescue Dawn.

One of the better movies based on the Vietnam war. This movie perfectly depicts the horrors of not only war, but also horrors of becoming a POW. Acting is almost top notch, no need to go Shakespeare on this one as it is about the reality of war, and in a situations like this, different people behave differently; so is the case in the characters in this movie. I enjoyed it a lot. Great film.

Not a great film; not a particularly bad one. Feels too long and scripted. But that said, respect to the real life guy who managed to escape.

What a strange film. The tone was just off from the first moment. The dialogue is amazingly wooden in many pars. The viewing experience left me quite perplexed. I can't recommend it.

A very engaging film with excellent performances by all, especially the three leads (Bale, Zahn, Davies). I was not expecting this good a movie. However (and this is alluded to in the DVD special features), the comment by MV below (regarding how his brother Gene is portrayed in the film -- "Gene from Eugene") is obviously a valid comment on Herzog's dramatic license. In fact, Herzog offers a brief apology for how the Davies character (Gene) is depicted in the DVD extras... still, it makes one think twice about these so-called "fact-based" movies. There seems little doubt about the raw heroism of Deiter Dengler. But watch closely the scene where Deiter is confronted by Gene as Dieter plans their escape, and think about the moral dilemma from his (Gene's) perspective.… Expand

This was a brilliant film. The best movie I've seen for a long time. The story is about the human spirit more than war. Christian Bale was outstanding as the lead actor, Dieter Dengler and the supporting cast was excellent, too. I hope everyone gets a chance to see this. It should be nominated for best picture, best actor, best supporting actor, best director. I'm anxious to see more Herzog films.… Expand

It wasn't that great.

I give this one a 6 for the great acting, Bale carries this movie on his back. Ther is no story in this movie, other then a few interesting situations Bale's charecter goes through as a P.O.W. in a very lame Veitnam. which is not a story, more like a "what if you were in this situation" script. Bale's acting shins more than the movie itself. Bale in Iraq would have been way more interesting! Better to watch this one on DVD, rather than the big screen.… Expand

If you read all the published reviews above, you'll see the word that most often appears is "harrowing' -- you best believe it. This was a bit too intense for me, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Bale, Zahn and Davies are beyond extraordinary. See this one on the big screen.

This is an intense, fascinating movie done with a degree of realism that will make you feel like you spent two hours in a jungle prison camp. Christian Bale, Steve Zahn and Jeremy Davies lived their roles more than played them. Davies deserves credit for 'getting into the role' because it looks like he brought his weight down to 100 pounds to look like an emaciated POW. One minor complaint I have is that the movie didn't make clear how much time elapsed from the time of Dengler's capture to his escape and rescue. Some quick research on different web sites indicates that he spent 5 months in captivity including 23 days roaming the jungle from the time of his escape to the time of his rescue. Approximately 500 people disappeared in Laos during the long Vietnam war, only Dieter Dengler made it out alive.… Expand

Did not like the ending.

Great Herzog flick, Bale is great in the role.

Werner Herzog's film captures the lush Southeast Asian land, where one man's determination overcomes imprisonment, malnurishment, and the defeatism of his peers. a classic war flick, but one we've never seen, with the ring of truth. Bale/Dingler's unflagging optimism seems superhuman, but must have been his ultimate salvation.

As a family member in the line of decendents from the DeBruin family, and having not yet seen the movie, I can see where people may create or alter events or characters when making a fictional movie, however, when one is admist the building of a film that is based on the TRUTH, I feel it is both important and necessary to seek out what really happened, especially when portraying such a sensitive subject. Had Dieter been alive to see the film, I think he would agree with me.… Expand

A very good film indeed. The ending was a bit silly, which is why I only gave it a 7...

An amazing movy with no special effects or grandiosity. It looks real and intens, as if you were risquing your life every second in the shoe of Bale, whose performance is impressive. I can't help thinking he should have won an Oscar !!! I don't put a 10 only because the first 20 minutes have no interest.

Wow was this movie good! Christian Bale once again proves how committed he is. And I am sorry for M V having to see is brother this way, but dude, the movie wasn't about him, way worse crap happened to Dwayne in this story. Besides how do you know what happened in this camp! You weren't there, he may have been a wonderful guy, but places like that mess with your mind, Herzog knows his facts, because he got them from a guy who survived it. My condolences to you for your brother, but you weren't the only victim from the Vietnam War.… Expand

I was very impressed with Christian Bale's performance and the story really inspired me.. It is amazing what the human body and mind can do. Congratulations Werner, Cast and Crew.

This movie sucked and was a waste of my time. Why the XXl flight suit in the beginning, why the stage like appearance at the end not true and very unprofessional.

Typical war movies, well acted cliche ending.

This film is a disappointment. It is a Hollywood rescue adventure film with Herzog quirks- good as those things go, which is not enough considering the legacy of films that have attempted to address either Vietnam or at least war in general from some sort of critical perspective.

Given the direction of the story, this surprisingly wasn't as slow as it could have been. Worth seeing at some point.

Hmm visuals are ok. Acting pretty good. Believability hard but true story so what the hay. All I know is it'd be tough to survive in the jungle for 23 days after being malnourished for 5 months, the arctic snow, desert, mountains, even tougher. I've studied survival and know about the play the jungle will have on the mind if you're ever stuck in there alone or at night with the animals. This is a movie, but the guy got lucky. He didn't do it all by virtue of his mind or "wit." It also helped that there was a war going on and helicopters/planes flying around for him to be rescued. Try surviving out there without all that then you've REALLY accomplished something.… Expand

Gene was my older brother (he was 4 yrs older) and was a wonderful guy. This is probably the only time that i am thankful that my parents are dead; it would be so horrible for them to see what Herzog has done with their son! Didn't he have the decency to check out the facts? And there are plenty! How would Herzog feel if someone did this to his son or brother? Or, for that matter, how would anyone feel? Think about it when you write your raving reviews.… Expand

Wow what a major disappointment! Not that i was particularly looking forward to the movie as i had no background knowledge of Dieter, instead i watched for the sake of Christian Bale. I continued to try and make myself beleive that this movie was worth while as i choked up words like "wow that rock is big" or "it must have been really humid". No use the movie sucked gracefully. I don';t know where the sucking began--if it was when Bale walked into the first camp and smiled--because being tied up, tortured, and forced along by non-english speaking foreigners always brings a smile to my face--or when he was told continually that Zane shits his pants every night. I couldn't help but laugh at the atrociousness of the writing, directing, and acting in this movie. Honestly i laughed more than once.… Expand

As someone who's life was strongly influenced by the Vietnam war I was thrilled to see a non-polemic story set in the period. Bale was excellent as was the supporting cast. The VC were painted as real people not as either villains or as simple victims. Taught, competent, spare and compelling.

Werner Herzog does an incredible job bringing home the reality of jungle war, torture and escape against all odds. Gripping movie and well done by Bale as well.

Wow...I bought the movie for one dollar at the store, and it was a wasted dollar. My expectation was to see a movie that sucks, mainly because Christian Bale was starring. I was right. Every movie he is in sucks, and he is the main reason. Throw in a director, Werner Herzog, who I really believe either has a twisted mind, or is on drugs all the time, or both, and you get a film that is truly...weird. It is unreal. Bale is a POW, yet he acts like he thinks it is all one big joke. After being captured, he is dragged around the jungle by his captors, for what ? There is not one scene in the movie that is believable, starting from when his plane crashes, and he strangely comes flying onto the scene from...the side...completely unharmed, to pretty much all of the dialogue, which simply makes you cringe. Howdy ? My god, that must be the stupidest thing ever said in a movie. The biggest problem with this film is the complete lack of intensity. It is simply boring. The second biggest problem is that none of the characters are developed, they have no depth, and they act unreal. Conclusion: I am not sure where Werner Herzog gets the money to make films, he really is not a filmmaker, he has no feel for making movies, whatever he does just nauseates the audience. As with many so-called artists, people gravitate towards the weird side because they think it has significance, which it has not. Weird is just that, weird. And yes, Christian Bale should have never become an actor...he ruins each and every movie he is in. Almost like Ben Affleck, I don't know which one is worse.… Expand