One of the biggest strengths of the movie is the anachronistic way in which it is filmed and edited. Many war movies in recent years have adopted a frenetic high-action pace with frenzied camera action and quick scene cuts, but director Werner Herzog chooses to slow the pace of the film in a manner reminiscent of earlier war movies. The camera lingers unflinchingly when showing the horrible living conditions to which the POWs were subjected, and Herzog uses cutting techniques like fade-outs to simulate the mental state of his characters. The overall result is a film that is more personal and reflective, that—like its subject—comes from a different era.
Herzog’s choices in filming and editing also show his connection with his subject. This is his second attempt at visualizing Dengler’s story, having filmed a documentary about Dengler—entitled Little Dieter Needs To Fly—in 1997. Because of Herzog’s passion for Dengler’s story, Rescue Dawn avoids the problem of equating Dengler’s struggles with larger political or socio-economic issues. Herzog chooses instead to focus entirely on the immediate reality of the life of the POWs, allowing Dengler’s experience to stand as an example of basic human values such as courage, perseverance and friendship.
But the biggest strength of this film is the acting. Christian Bale has made a career out of crafting deep and complex characters, but he remains one of the more underrated actors in today’s movie market despite the success of movies such as Batman Begins and The Prestige. He completely inhabits the character of Dengler and masterfully endures the POW treatment, including eating worms and larvae and pulling off leeches. You knew Bale was good, but you didn’t know he was this good.
The supporting performances are also excellent. Steve Zahn plays Dengler’s fellow prisoner and escapee Duane, and Jeremy Davies—doing his best Charles Manson impersonation—portrays Eugene, a long-time POW who appears to have gone insane from his imprisonment and opposes Dengler’s schemes. Both Davies and Zahn find new depth in this film and really explore the minds of people who are slowly being driven to the ends of sanity.
Herzog’s directorial choices, the supporting performances of Zahn and Davies and Bale’s powerful performance—which should merit serious consideration in awards season—make Rescue Dawn one of the more worthwhile watches in a summer otherwise filled with disappointing and disengaged blockbusters. It is movies like this—and stories like Dengler’s—that need to be told and that deserve to be appreciated.
