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Rescue Dawn

Play trailer Poster for Rescue Dawn PG-13 Released Jul 27, 2007 2h 5m War History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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90% Tomatometer 161 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
During the Vietnam War, Dieter Dengler (Christian Bale), a U.S. fighter pilot, is shot down over Laos and taken captive by enemy soldiers. Interned in a POW camp, Dengler and his fellow prisoners (Steve Zahn, Jeremy Davies) endure torture, hunger and illness while they await their chance to escape.
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Rescue Dawn

Rescue Dawn

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Critics Consensus

Director Werner Herzog has once again made a compelling tale of man versus nature, and Christian Bale completely immerses himself in the role of fighter pilot (and prisoner of war) Dieter Dengler.

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Critics Reviews

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Hank Sartin Time Out Rated: 3/5 Nov 18, 2011 Full Review Joshua Rothkopf Time Out Rated: 4/5 Nov 17, 2011 Full Review Derek Malcolm London Evening Standard What we miss is the real Herzogian touch that can translate tales of derringdo into something more than mere adventure and stir the soul as well as the heart and mind. Rated: 3/5 Nov 23, 2007 Full Review Ian Buruma The New York Review of Books Somehow his story, reenacted in the feature film, fails to catch fire in the way it does in the documentary. It looks oddly conventional, even flat. Aug 23, 2018 Full Review Brandy McDonnell The Oklahoman While Zahn and Davies offer amazing performances, Bale's starring turn often falls flat. Herzog doesn't give him much to work with: The writer-director is reluctant to allow his hero any flaws, even fear and despair, on his harrowing journey. Rated: 2.5/4 Aug 13, 2018 Full Review Kevin Carr 7M Pictures Unlike a traditional Hollywood movie, Rescue Dawn follows the pacing and irony of real life. It is far from predictable and far from formulaic. Rated: 3/5 Apr 28, 2014 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jack S Amazing movie about overcoming the worst situation! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/12/25 Full Review Ricardo B O roteiro desse filme já é, por si só, baseado em uma incrível história verídica de sobreviência de um piloto estadunidense à captura por soldados inimigos, durante a Guerra do Vietnã, mas é a direção do visionário e experimental cineasta alemão Werner Herzog que transforma essa história em algo muito maior. A dedicada atuação de Christian Bale nos prende na história do homem, mas é a exímia direção de Herzog que nos transporta para a selva de Laos, onde a natureza é a o maior inimigo do homem, e nos leva em uma épica jornada de luta pela vida, homem versus natureza e a implacável vontade de viver. E é isso que eleva "O Sobrevivente" de simples drama de guerra a arte narrativa e visual. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/04/25 Full Review William M Long and boring. Not factually accurate. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 01/15/25 Full Review Jelisije J A fantastic true story of a fighter pilot being taken as a prisoner of war before the time of the Vietnam War. Its a greatly acted depressing one and done type of film. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/17/24 Full Review Nol P It had been forever since I saw this, (my Blockbuster Video days), and I am glad I finally watched Rescue Dawn again tonight. Both Christian Bale and Steve Zahn were spot on excellent and they made it so very believable in their ultra weakened state of starvation. This is based on a true story too so this is a must see with some nice performances all around and fine directing. 8.5 of 10. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/22/24 Full Review Johannes S The acting is amazing, yet it doesn't spark something within me like other war or survival movies. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 06/11/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Rescue Dawn

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Cast & Crew

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Werner Herzog

Director

Christian Bale

Dieter Dengler

Steve Zahn

Duane

Jeremy Davies

Gene

Galen Yuen

Y.C.

Apichart Chusakul

Phisit

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Movie Info

Synopsis During the Vietnam War, Dieter Dengler (Christian Bale), a U.S. fighter pilot, is shot down over Laos and taken captive by enemy soldiers. Interned in a POW camp, Dengler and his fellow prisoners (Steve Zahn, Jeremy Davies) endure torture, hunger and illness while they await their chance to escape.
Director
Werner Herzog
Producer
Elton Brand, Steve Marlton, Harry Knapp
Screenwriter
Werner Herzog
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
Gibraltar Entertainment and Production LLC
Rating
PG-13 (Torture|Intense War Violence)
Genre
War, History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 27, 2007, Limited
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Jul 4, 2007
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 3, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$5.5M
Runtime
2h 5m
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