If you are interested in VietNam era history, "Rescue Dawn" might be of interest. Starring Christian Bale as pilot Dieter Dengler, a German born American citizen whose only wish was to fly airplanes. He finds himself assigned to a top secret bombing mission that must pass over Laos on a sortie to VietNam in 1965 before the conflict had been officially acknowledged by the US government.
As luck would have it, Dengler is shot down in Laos on this very secret sortie. The movie traces his capture, subsequent torture which is uncomfortable to watch...so I didn't, but Hubby managed. Eventually Dengler ends up in a Laotian prison with other foreign captives, an ill-assorted group of men, half-crazed from their lengthy treacherous confinement.
As time wears on Dengler decides their only salvation is to escape despite overwhelming odds against their reaching freedom alive. Most of the movie shows the hardships of the escape attempt. It really makes one admire the spirit of a man who is willing to endure such unbearable conditions to escape an unspeakable captivity.
The director Werner Herzog keeps the action moving at a fast pace all the time keeping the tension high. (I loved Herzog's hilarious spoof and mockumentary about the Loch Ness monster, a film with a totally different vibe.)
If this type of drama based on actual events in 1965 interests you, I highly reccomend this movie. Christian Bale does an impressive job as Dengler. He loses so much weight for this role to make his escape seem credible to the viewer that his chheks are sunken in and his neck is pencil thin. He must have lost sixty pounds to play this part. As he loses weight in the movie, it becomes alarming.
Do check out this film if such stories appeal to you.
Last edited on Sat Jul 28th, 2007 02:12 am by CleburneFan
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