Rescue Dawn
2006
Drama, Action
2h 0m
This film tells the real-life story of U.S. fighter pilot Dieter Dengler, a German-American shot down and captured in Laos during the Vietnam War. Dengler, to be played by Bale, organized a death-defying escape for a small band of POWs, including Duane Martin (Zahn). (imdb)
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Written by:
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Rescue Dawn
2006
Drama, Action
2h 0m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 56.55% from 2447 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews
(2447)
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Rated 07 Dec 2007
84
81st
Christian Bale turns in yet another brilliant performance as Dieter Dengler. Steve Zahn did surprisingly well also. Herzog's shots of the landscapes, and the intense and cleverly designed escape plans were extremely well executed. It is subtle, and yet very powerful in its symbolism. It is a little different from most of Herzogs work, but the same theme of survival common in Herzogs films was presented here as well. Also considering that Dengler actually went through this was amazing.
Rated 07 Dec 2007
Rated 22 Jun 2017
70
65th
One man's struggle to do whatever it takes to escape being confined with Steve Zahn.
Rated 22 Jun 2017
Rated 01 Jan 2008
80
72nd
No one films jungle like Herzog, shame about the Top Gun ending , though.
Rated 01 Jan 2008
Rated 15 Apr 2008
84
81st
A truly different POW/Vietnam story. Herzog does a good job and so does Bale, although i feel I didn't get to know his character as good as I wanted to. That said, the half-madness of the POW's was magnificently portrayed.
Rated 15 Apr 2008
Rated 11 Aug 2007
75
59th
Though I liked this, something about it left me a little cold. Herzog's photography is of course great, and the performances are strong (although a found Davies' Manson-esque character to be a bit much). I think the Dieter story is a great one, but the documentary version does a better job capturing his deep love of flying. Still, the movie is generally captivating and at times beautiful.
Rated 11 Aug 2007
Rated 19 Oct 2009
8
78th
(2nd viewing) Alhough I would've preferred to see a Bale one man show, this is a film of peerless humanity and way better than I'd remembered. Herzog captures the unpredictability and hostility of his exotic setting, they really go together like peas and carrots. Bale was magnificent as usual but Zahn even managed to outshine him at times. We sense the prisoners' fear and pray for their survival. One of Herzog's finest.
Rated 19 Oct 2009
Rated 16 Aug 2008
80
78th
Herzog proves that he can make an average Hollywood script worth filming, especially by casting the marvellous Christian Bale and the surprising Steve Zahn. They both, as well as Jeremy Davies, have put their mind and body - literally - into telling this story, and it shows.
Rated 16 Aug 2008
Rated 30 Jul 2007
74
68th
The most mind blowing aspect of this movie is probably the fact that fucking Steve Zahn can act. Hell, he may have even put in a better performance than Bale in this. Great movie, but very straightforward and simple. Don't expect the usual Herzog madness.
Rated 30 Jul 2007
Rated 31 Mar 2008
4
83rd
Best watched in conjunction with Little Dieter. It's pretty incredible to see how close Herzog stays to the source material. I didn't particularly care for the overdone ending, even when I consider the possibility that it may have just happened that way in Dieter's mind. Still highly recommended, classic Herzog.
Rated 31 Mar 2008
Rated 27 Nov 2008
80
69th
herzog's rescue dawn is a good little war flick. i really enjoyed the parts of the story where the captives were developing a plan to escape. christian bale gives another tremendous performance and steve zahn is impressive in a emotional dramatic role. jeremy davies has earned my respect. he continually challenges himself with characters that i can't stand and pulls them off realistically. rescue dawn is a war flick that is more about humanity and survival than about destruction and chaos.
Rated 27 Nov 2008
Rated 18 Apr 2012
82
68th
This is a folk legend re-telling of Herzog's documentary on the life of U.S. fighter-pilot Dieter Dengler, who escaped capture during the Vietnam War. There are a few creative liberties taken with the script, but they make for an incredibly tense and harrowing odyssey through the jungles of Laos. The landscape is beautiful, yet terrifying. Our weary heroes, Bale and Zahn, both invested themselves physically and mentally for challenging roles. An incredible story of the human will to survive.
Rated 18 Apr 2012
Rated 06 Nov 2009
85
94th
Fantastic adventure. A good Vietnam war movie of an escape middle in the jungle. Amazing pictures in South East Asian and very good performances of all actors. Nevertheless typically American ending of this movie but after all an awesome good movie.
Rated 06 Nov 2009
Rated 12 Sep 2007
93
94th
Rescue Dawn's brilliance is in its subtlety. It's a quiet and clever film. Bale's powerful portrayal of the semi-nutsy, and yet genius Dieter Dengler makes for constant and deep psychological entertainment. The cinematography, though sometimes a little simple in it's landscape shots, usually gives a great feel for the claustrophobic settings. Rescue Dawn is great for people who like to think and can appreciate a change of pace for war movies. Awesome!
Rated 12 Sep 2007
Rated 18 Jan 2008
70
76th
the last 2 minutes are way too hollywood...but i liked the rest of the film
Rated 18 Jan 2008
Rated 30 Jul 2007
80
76th
This is one of the most straight-forward films that Herzog has made, but I really enjoyed it. The cinematography is lovely, the score is nice and moody and uses a bit of Popol Vuh (well, one piece) and Ernst Reijseger along with the original score. The acting is impressive all around, and it does a fine job of showing what a strange and miserable situation this was. Some folks may be put off by the ending, but I'm OK with it.
Rated 30 Jul 2007
Rated 02 Aug 2008
90
79th
Exactly like a shakespearan tragedy. A touching drama about one man escaping and freeing many POWS from Laos during the Vietnam War. Herzog puts the movie on a Hollywood scale and still manages to stay original.
Rated 02 Aug 2008
Rated 31 Mar 2008
60
16th
A shockingly mediocre and forgettable film from Herzog. He put very little magic into this, and large stretches of it are actually kind of boring. I have yet to understand what everyone loves so damn much about Christian Bale... his performance here does absolutely nothing for me. Also it should be noted that Jeremy Davies needs to either get a new gimmick or get punched in the nuts. Fuck that guy, seriously. I can't say that this is a bad movie, but it sure isn't anything special.
Rated 31 Mar 2008
Rated 12 May 2008
85
88th
Great movie of Prisoner's war. Christian Bale shows why it is one of the great revelations of actors, in recent times.
Rated 12 May 2008
Rated 23 Dec 2007
84
77th
An excellent, harrowing tale with wonderful performances. Herzog's photography is very good and the jungle scenes make you feel like you're there. It is a bit straightforward and the ending doesn't fit the rest of the film, but well worth watching.
Rated 23 Dec 2007
Rated 21 Sep 2009
92
85th
Herzog's return to the grand-scale filmmaking he was known for still keeps the low-key intimacy of his later works. Delving into a story he knows well, (also the subject of his documentary Little Dieter Learns to Fly), Herzog's closeness to the material is evident and is helped immeasurably by Bale's strong performance. The film resonates on an emotional level and Klaus Badelt's fine score ties the knot perfectly. This went largely ignored to theaters, make sure you don't make the same mistake.
Rated 21 Sep 2009
Rated 18 Jan 2009
80
67th
Christian Bael is a real fine actor.
Rated 18 Jan 2009
Rated 01 Feb 2008
90
94th
Herzog is restrained, Bale is nuts and the locations are amazing. This is film at its best.
Rated 01 Feb 2008
Rated 27 May 2020
65
55th
Slow start, gets far better when Zahn is introduced. I was kinda annoyed how the last act played out, but I guess you can’t (or shouldn’t) rewrite a true story, so that barely feels like worthy criticism.
Rated 27 May 2020
Rated 21 Apr 2009
4
55th
I come away from this disappointed in Herzog, questionable on Bale, and with more appreciation for - of all people - Steve Zahn.
Rated 21 Apr 2009
Rated 04 Jan 2008
30
15th
Big disappointment. Considering its subject matter, Rescue Dawn is too cinematic and glaringly unrealistic. Everything told by the real Dengler in Little Dieter Needs to Fly has been watered down and softened up, and Rescue Dawn isn't anything as blood-curdling as that movie. Perhaps worst of all is the terrible Christian Bale, who comes off as a happy camper and a moron instead of acting tortured and starved. This is not the Herzog I have come to love and admire.
Rated 04 Jan 2008
Rated 28 Jul 2008
85
80th
Herzog and Bale are a match made in heaven. Both are willing to take risks and what comes out of it is a great, straight forward tale. It doesn't call too much attention to itself and makes Bale's surroundings the most intimidating character.
Rated 28 Jul 2008
Rated 09 Dec 2007
70
51st
It's a good film, but there just are not many signs of Herzog's "awesome" direction (that we've all seen in other films) in it. It could have been directed by anybody else. Solid acting from Zahn and Bale.
Rated 09 Dec 2007
Rated 28 Jul 2007
90
86th
Bitchin'. I had high expectations for this movie, and it delivered. A lot of "based on a true story" movies are pure crap, but the fact Dieter Dengler is a real guy who went through this shit makes this movie even more enjoyable.
Rated 28 Jul 2007
Rated 26 Nov 2007
80
83rd
Great survival story of POWs. All actors do convincing job and Herzog manages to do all this in almost documentary style.
Rated 26 Nov 2007
Rated 10 Jul 2011
70
56th
A very cool war movie/prison escape film. It looks beautiful, and the story is very compelling. As a big fan of Steve Zahn I like when he gets the chance to show how good of an actor he is, and he nailed it here. All in all, it's a very good movie with a head shakingly dumb Hollywood final scene. It doesn't kill the film, but it takes a bit off it.
Rated 10 Jul 2011
Rated 30 Jan 2014
61
71st
the food on set must have been abysmal, shame on the caterers
Rated 30 Jan 2014
Rated 26 Nov 2007
79
65th
If you forget that the movie is claimed to base on real events it's a great survival story. Christian Bale is awesome as always and Herzog's directing in the nature is brilliant.
Rated 26 Nov 2007
Rated 01 Dec 2007
87
89th
Capturing - in more than one meaning of the word
Rated 01 Dec 2007
Rated 26 Jan 2008
75
89th
Good film
Rated 26 Jan 2008
Rated 16 Dec 2008
78
82nd
Great! Herzog Does Hollywood and it works!
Rated 16 Dec 2008
Rated 16 Mar 2008
85
76th
Strong performances from Christian Bale and Steve Zahn in one of Herzog's most accessible films.
Rated 16 Mar 2008
Rated 29 Jul 2007
6
70th
Once Christian Bale and Steve Zahn get together in the prison, the movie really hits a stride. But I will say that the ending feels like a John Wayne movie and is way off the tone of the rest of the piece.
Rated 29 Jul 2007
Rated 19 Aug 2011
80
64th
Interesting perspective of the Vietnam war. Christian Bale gives a great performance like usual, but overall this movie is pretty forgettable, especially since there are so many Vietnam classics that outshine it. Herzog is 25 years late on this one.
Rated 19 Aug 2011
Rated 02 Mar 2008
80
89th
I both love prison escapes and Vietnam movies And this is one hell of an exciting, claustrofobic Vietnam/escape movie. The actual escape sequence was one of the most suspenceful scenes I've seen in a while. Bale and Zahn both do a wonderful job portraying the physically and psychologically exhausted POW's. And sometimes it's even funny too.
Rated 02 Mar 2008
Rated 03 Feb 2009
81
32nd
Powerful struggle of a man's escape from enemy terrority, Christian Bale shines in this movie and makes it worthwhile. Recommended.
Rated 03 Feb 2009
Rated 14 Jul 2008
90
84th
Expertly crafted, politically muted war drama.
Rated 14 Jul 2008
Rated 29 May 2008
79
70th
Great story, not-so-great in the implementing of that great story. Could have been better done in many ways.
Rated 29 May 2008
Rated 26 Apr 2009
78
71st
I'm not entirely sure what happened in this movie. It was fucking bat shit.
Rated 26 Apr 2009
Rated 08 Dec 2007
90
86th
Wow... this movie kept me on my toes the whole time.. So amazing... took me through a emotional rollercoaster.
Rated 08 Dec 2007
Rated 06 Dec 2012
80
83rd
Christian Bale as the prisoner of war during the Loas campaign just prior to the Vietnam war. True story of a pilots first flight that lead to being shot down, captured, imprisoned, survival and escape. The characters were nearly psychotic from the stress of hunger and mistreatment by the time they finally escaped. A gripping story full of action and the unexpected.
Rated 06 Dec 2012
Rated 21 Feb 2009
59
5th
The worst performance of Christian Bale's career. This movie, and especially Bale's performance are bewildering and directionless. This is perhaps Werner Herzog's worst effort too. Just a major disappointment.
Rated 21 Feb 2009
Rated 20 Oct 2007
88
68th
If you like this genre, this one is definitely worthwhile... The usual solid work from Mr. Bale. But the performance that's award-worthy comes from Jeremy Davies in a supporting role...
Rated 20 Oct 2007
Rated 20 Sep 2010
70
79th
Fairly brutal in parts, but I think it could have been a whole lot better. All in all still entertaining and Steve Zahn in one of his few tolerable roles.
Rated 20 Sep 2010
Rated 17 Aug 2008
75
85th
i really liked the film, there is just one point that is so wrong about it, not every single laotian/vietnamese/... out there would have killed someone just for being american, but i guess thats the price herzog had to pay to make money with this movie in the US
Rated 17 Aug 2008
Rated 12 Apr 2008
82
78th
A truly fascinating story with fantastic performances across the board. Christian Bale considers to show how much of a chameleon leading man he is.
Rated 12 Apr 2008
Rated 17 Aug 2011
10
5th
Worst third act ever?
Rated 17 Aug 2011
Rated 10 Dec 2008
80
71st
My first Herzog movie and when I saw it had no idea who he was. It wasn't until recently when I began getting into this incredible director that I connected the dots. It's a good prisoner of war movie and probably one of the better made Vietnam movies and most definitely the most human. Bale is outstanding and the movie is worth the time invested.
Rated 10 Dec 2008
Rated 03 Dec 2007
71
23rd
The acting and photography is great, but it lacks in too many places for it to come anywhere close to a masterpiece as many hold it to be.
Rated 03 Dec 2007
Rated 29 Jul 2007
80
60th
Rescue Dawn is a great collaboration between one of cinema's greatest directors and Hollywood. It's the first time this has really ever happened and it's great that it finally did. Bale and Zahn are great in their roles and it's truly incredible how physically strained they were.
Rated 29 Jul 2007
Rated 24 Aug 2009
50
23rd
Knowledge of the truth around this incident made this movie somewhat less enjoyable for me..... learning of the protests about alleged inaccurate portrayal of real people, and inaccuracy about incidents reduced it's impact. I am aware of "artistic licence", but in this instance, it ruined it for me. Christian Bale however, did a fantastic job....with weight manipulation not seen since Robert de Niro in Raging Bull.
Rated 24 Aug 2009
Rated 21 Jan 2010
33
44th
Slow but triumphant. The kidnapping was the best.
Rated 21 Jan 2010
Rated 15 Nov 2011
40
14th
By far the most superficial, generic, un-Herzog-like Werner Herzog film I've seen.
Rated 15 Nov 2011
Rated 10 Jan 2011
80
73rd
A terrific movie with outstanding performances.
Rated 10 Jan 2011
Rated 01 Aug 2009
77
78th
Excellent survival story, in which both Bale and Zahn put in top drawer performances. The pacing and direction from Herzog really suits the movie and there are some lovely shots as Herzog makes the most of the dense and claustrophobic surroundings. Recommended.
Rated 01 Aug 2009
Rated 04 Jan 2014
40
25th
Should have been named 100 ways to torture Christian Bale...
Rated 04 Jan 2014
Rated 29 Apr 2009
2
40th
Disappointing effort from Herzog, he pretty much sticks to all the conventions which he has always been critizising Hollywood for, and even gives us a big closure at the end.
Rated 29 Apr 2009
Rated 10 Jan 2010
49
46th
Not exactly the best introduction to Herzog I could have had.
Rated 10 Jan 2010
Rated 28 Nov 2007
70
56th
Decent POW survival movie. Bale is good, but it's somehow hard to watch Zahn in serious role.
Rated 28 Nov 2007
Rated 06 Nov 2008
77
15th
Just okay, nothing special. Actually I felt this was one of my least favorite Bale films. Steve Zahn was the surprising bright spot for me.
Rated 06 Nov 2008
Rated 24 May 2012
70
66th
I liked this movie, but I remember the white guy with the dark hair was a bad actor.
Rated 24 May 2012
Rated 18 Apr 2008
80
65th
I really dug this one a bit more than I thought I might. I love Christian Bale though, so my review might be stilted.
Rated 18 Apr 2008
Rated 04 Feb 2015
3
30th
didn't cut it for me. it's a stylistically awkward combination of herzog and hollywood, and somehow manages to be both sanitised and whitewashed, particularly the abysmal ending.
Rated 04 Feb 2015
Rated 19 Jan 2008
76
72nd
Christian Bale, Steve Zahn (seriously? I know) and Werner Herzog combine forces to deliver one interesting Vietnam story about imprisoned POWs. Think Rambo Part 2 without Rambo. The acting is pretty darn good and they do look physically starved and exhausted, it's quite an accomplished film.
Rated 19 Jan 2008
Rated 21 Jul 2007
93
89th
It's simply spectacular. I can't believe how good of an actor Christian Bale is, he's sensational. This film is breathtaking and gorgeous. You owe it to yourself to see it.
Rated 21 Jul 2007
Rated 04 Aug 2007
50
43rd
Doesn’t really measure up to the challenge of turning LITTLE DIETER NEEDS TO FLY into a feature film, and therefore comes across as an unnecessary addendum. Still, not awful.
Rated 04 Aug 2007
Rated 24 May 2015
70
39th
Overall pretty good, but there was more than one time where the Vietcong's decisions didn't make any sense and kind of ruined my immersion.
Rated 24 May 2015
Rated 26 Sep 2008
70
78th
I watched this only a couple of days after watching Little Dieter Needs To Fly. Some things were taken straight out of Dieter, and Batman added a few of his own things. I understood the character a lot better from the documentary, I don't think anyone could tell the story as vividly as the man himself but this is still a really good film.
Rated 26 Sep 2008
Rated 17 Jan 2010
75
71st
Somewhat disappointing effort by Werner Herzog simply because his documentary on Dieter Dengler was far superior than this effort. Some things can just never be dramatized. Christian Bale was adequate as Dengler but I feel that a less mainstream actor probably would have been a wiser choice for a role like this.
Rated 17 Jan 2010
Rated 11 Apr 2013
70
43rd
Very straightforward Vietnam prison escape movie. It's fine, but nothing special - maybe subsequent viewings will improve it?
Rated 11 Apr 2013
Rated 10 Nov 2013
4
91st
Especially liked the cliché-dodging group-dynamics in the camp, seemed like there were a couple of cuts there, a Directors cut would be most welcome.
Rated 10 Nov 2013
Rated 07 Apr 2015
4
72nd
Believable... And Christian Bale and his acting skills are starting to grow on me :-)
Rated 07 Apr 2015
Rated 24 Jul 2008
75
48th
Didn't love it, but Christian Bale was awesome as usual.
Rated 24 Jul 2008
Rated 03 Jan 2011
74
66th
An intense and unique war film.Christian Bale's performance was incredible to watch.The way he uses his eyes and body to express his emotions adds a lot to his character.I liked the way that the camera reminded us that the jungle was as much a prison as the camp they were in was.
Rated 03 Jan 2011
Rated 26 Oct 2011
30
78th
"Like his obsessed heroes, Werner Herzog continues to hear the call of the jungle." - Fernando F. Croce
Rated 26 Oct 2011
Rated 13 Aug 2009
64
43rd
Werner Herzog directed this? I definitely needed more proof of that.
Rated 13 Aug 2009
Rated 20 Nov 2011
73
31st
The movie seems stretched by 15 mins or so. Christian Bale in this movie reminds me of his The Machinist. A decent watch but I wouldn't say you missed a great deal if you didn't watch it. Good for those who like to see survival tactics in the jungle...
Rated 20 Nov 2011
Rated 19 Jan 2009
70
49th
Honestly, I was kind of disappointed. The first half hour isn't really all that interesting, but the hour in the camp and the escape is excellent. The last half hour isn't as strong, and gets a bit cheesy. The cinematography and acting are great, but all the parts didn't really come together in a satisfying way. An uneven experience.
Rated 19 Jan 2009
Rated 19 Jul 2010
75
76th
Excellent. The minimal use of music in this adds to the tension from the very start, as you watch Dengler's situation go from bad to worse again and again. Zahn was a great choice for his role as well, and Herzog predictably makes great use of the jungle setting. Some of the dialogue seemed too self-conscious and rather out of place to me, though.
Rated 19 Jul 2010
Rated 13 Apr 2011
2
37th
Good fugitive themed movie but nothing groundbreaking. Also C.Bale really fits into his role.
Rated 13 Apr 2011
Rated 18 Feb 2009
85
75th
Gritty and moving. This is a sad film to finish, but the message of keeping hope after we do all we can do is quite powerful.
Rated 18 Feb 2009
Rated 17 Jan 2011
5
0th
Rescue Dawn's late-coming Vietnam war story -- [Werner] Herzog's first American drama -- is his best film since his great 1970s period.
Rated 17 Jan 2011
Rated 03 Dec 2012
50
47th
There's a good story in here, but trying to cram all of it into a two-hour flick backfires somewhat. Characters, plot points and scene-setting experiences are all rushed through so fast you only get a taste of each, and can never settle down to immerse yourself in the story. Most glaringly, we're given virtually no time to get to know Dengler before his capture so we're unsure whether Bale's cocky performance reflects the guy or not. Not bad, but probably would work better as a TV mini-series.
Rated 03 Dec 2012
Rated 08 Sep 2008
29
10th
This film was too boring. Other than that, Christian Bale's performance was the best thing in this.
Rated 08 Sep 2008
Rated 06 Sep 2013
70
54th
One of Bale's best performances I've ever seen and great directing! An amazing true life story. Also, howcome almost 10 US helicopters didnt see him or think he was an enemy :D. Great feelgood ending
Rated 06 Sep 2013
Rated 13 Dec 2013
3
25th
Pretty decent escape/survival film. Nothing special.
Rated 13 Dec 2013
Rated 20 Jul 2007
91
90th
A masterpiece. The acting is astounding. The cinematography is breathtaking. It feels very different and is so much better than your typical Hollywood war docu-drama. Herzog wins again.
Rated 20 Jul 2007
Rated 23 Aug 2011
61
43rd
Oh, I miss ''old Herzog''!
Rated 23 Aug 2011
Rated 18 Nov 2014
80
47th
Herzogcuyuz.biz Hanimlar beyler, Herzog dedigimiz adam doga seven bir adam oldugu için filmin konusu siradan bir Vietnam savasi filmi degildir. Christian Bale oyunculugu görün. Adam bu filmde nasildi Batman serisinde nasil performans sergiliyor görün. Severiz bu filmi.
Rated 18 Nov 2014
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