Rescue Dawn

You need to be in the proper mood to watch a film like Rescue Dawn. It’s not a popcorn film. Like Schindler’s List or The Passion of the Christ, it seems almost disrespectful to be wolfing down popcorn while historical figures are being tortured on the screen. For those who don’t know, Rescue Dawn is the based on the real-life story of Dieter Dengler, a German-American pilot who was shot down over Laos during the start of the Vietnam War and held as a POW before his daring escape with Duane Martin. This is a story of survival both physically and mentally. The audience is put through the ringer as we see Dengler and Martin break down trying to get rescued.

The survival story is compelling enough but the real reason to watch this film is to revel in its magnificent acting. Christian Bale stars as Dengler and despite his situation, still manages to be charismatic on the screen. Bale is able to go from seriousness to contemplation to joy to frustration and finally to madness in a matter of seconds. Why has this guy not been nominated for an Oscar? Bale’s turns in American Psycho, Batman Begins, The Machinist, and The Prestige should be ample for an Oscar nod. Hollywood is wondering too. But I’m thinking Rescue Dawn might give Bale the recognition he so richly deserves. This man is one of the greatest actors working in the industry today. Feel free to quote me on that. But Bale doesn’t give the only powerhouse performance in this movie.

Steve Zahn’s riveting portrayal of POW Duane Martin shocked me to the core. I expect greatness from Christian Bale, but I didn’t think Zahn was capable of this caliber of acting. Zahn is usually relegated to the sidekick or comic relief in films, just look at Sahara, Saving Silverman, Joyride and Daddy Day Care. In Rescue Dawn, Zahn’s emotional turmoil is almost too much to take. His pain and madness almost overshadow Bale’s performance, which is pretty impressive. Jeremy Davies (Saving Private Ryan) is also chilling as Gene, a gaunt POW who has his own agenda. Rounding out the fine acting is Toby Huss (Carnivale, Reno 911) who provides some fun audio commentary for a survival film early on in the movie.

I found Rescue Dawn to be very compelling. I rarely watch films having to do with the Vietnam War, so I am intrigued with the politics and even the concept of POWs. The action also plays nicely throughout the film. The beginning is like The Fugitive with all the running, then it goes into a primitive Prison Break, and it wraps up with a kind of Tears of the Sun vibe. But of course, the content is much more serious and life-altering in this story. The film was written and directed by Werner Herzog, a well-respected director, who seems to have an uncanny ability to remain calm in stressful situations. During an interview for Grizzly Man, Herzog was shot by a sniper but continued his interview saying, “It was not a significant bullet. I am not afraid". He also made a film of himself eating a shoe called Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe making good on a bet he made with a young filmmaker named Errol Morris. After hearing about these incidents, Herzog seems like the perfect director to capture the determined attitude of Dieter Dengler.

If you like to see great acting, go see this film in the theatre. But, I wouldn’t blame you if you waited until the DVD. At least make sure you see this film before Oscar time, cause I’ll be shocked if Rescue Dawn doesn’t get some nominations. C’mon Bale and Zahn!