Rescue Dawn

2007
Directed by Werner Herzog
Starring Christian Bale, Steve Zahn, Jeremy Davies





     I expected to love Rescue Dawn, as I greatly admire Herzog and I enjoyed the documentary that it's based on, but I'm left lukewarm. It's quite straightforward: pilot is shot down, taken prisoner, plans escape. The true story is very moving, but Herzog's undying adulation for Dieter Dengler becomes an issue. There's a troubling lack of doubt or tension, Dieter should be wearing a cape and tights. The latter scenes have many nice touches, but the early scenes are fairly predictable and forgettable. The devoted performances are notable, writing's iffy, but it's worth a look. Better story than movie, though.