Rescue Dawn

In 1997, German director Werner Herzog documented the exploits of pilot Dieter Dengler and the man's lifelong love affair (and obsession) with flight—while also touching on Dengler's harrowing time as a Vietnam-era POW—in Little Dieter Needs to Fly. A decade-plus later, Herzog returns to the subject in Rescue Dawn, which dramatizes Dengler's horrific wartime ordeal. Relying on his most consistent cinematic theme—man vs. nature paralleled with man vs. his own nature—the film follows Dengler on that fateful first mission, after which he is captured and his human spirit is systematically crushed by isolation during the day-to-day trials of POW life (the film successfully avoids any false sense of bravado or awkward peacenik preaching). As Dengler ponders escape with fellow inmates, Herzog effectively conveys both the drudgery and the danger. Boasting stellar performances from Christian Bale as Dengler, and supporting players Steve Zahn and Jeremy Davies, Rescue Dawn presents a frank and honest portrayal of men surviving under the direst of circumstances. That Herzog manages to find the light within such darkness stands as one of the movie's many strengths. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director Werner Herzog and interviewer Norman Hill, a 44-minute “The Making of a True Story” multi-part behind-the-scenes documentary (which includes “Unfinished Business: Telling Dieter's Story,” “Strength of Character,” “War Stories,” and “What Would Dieter Do?”), three deleted scenes with optional commentary (6 min.), a photo gallery, and trailers. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a fine film.] (B. Gibron)