Rent Rescue Dawn (2006)

Best War Movie of Recent Times!? - Rescue Dawn review by CP Customer

During the Vietnam War, German-born Dieter Dengler (Christian Bale), a U.S. fighter pilot, is shot down over Laos and taken captive by enemy soldiers. Interned in a POW camp, he and his fellow prisoners (Steve Zahn, Jeremy Davies) endure torture, hunger and illness while they await their chance to escape. Dengler has no intention of sticking around the nightmarish camp, so he begins to dream up an escape plan that takes his fellow prisoners by surprise with its savvy and audacity. Dengler doesn't even know where he is--but he knows with unwavering certainty that he must not stop fighting for his life. As he makes his way into the jungle, his journey will never let up, as it takes him from the bonds of fraternity to the brink of despair, to one of the most remarkable rescues in modern history. I found this movie to be utterly compelling and if you are a fan of this genre it's certain to hold your attention from start to finish!

Hard to believe its true - Rescue Dawn review by CP Customer

What with a German national by birth, with a name that probably is more appropriate in an adult film, finds himself fighting for the USA in the jungle. Again we have an excellent physical performance from Christian Bale as Dieter Dengler. A young pilot, facing extreme conditions, he refuses to give up and inspires those prisoners around him to wake and take control. Being a Herzog film it does not shy away from the hard hitting aspect and war itself. Highly recommended.

Write Down That You've Seen It - Rescue Dawn review by griggs

I really enjoyed this while it was on. A few hours later I needed reminding what I'd watched — still not sure whether that's on me or the film.

On paper it's Werner Herzog gone respectable: Vietnam War, studio money, Christian Bale. Underneath it's pure Herzog — one obsessive man versus a jungle that couldn't care less whether he lives. The snakes are real, nobody's suffering looks acted, and the cast visibly wastes away before your eyes. I'm surprised he didn't make them carry an aircraft carrier over a hill.

Bale commits to the point of concern, Steve Zahn does wonders with little more than hollow eyes and misplaced hope, and once the escape kicks in it really grips.

The trouble is the grip doesn't fully last. Thrilling at teatime, hazy by bedtime — and that gap is what keeps it shy of the top shelf for me.

Worth a watch. Just maybe log it immediately so you don't forget what you watched.