Rescue Dawn

It's no secret that Werner Herzog is extremely interested in the life of Dieter Dengler, a pilot for the American Air Force who ended up in a prison camp during the Vietnam War. Perhaps it's because of their shared background: both men grew up in the ruins of post-war Germany, and both came from poverty. After making a documentary about Dengler's life entitled (1997), Herzog directed this feature based on the story of Dengler's escape from the camp in Laos. Once again, Hertzog highlights his subject's unconventional personality. His reasons for wanting to fly were remarkable: he was inspired as a little boy when he looked right into the eyes of a pilot who had bombed his city. “You're a strange bird, Dieter,” says his friend Duane. "A guy tries to kill you and you want his job." Dengler is always straightforward, optimistic, and he wears his heart on his sleeve. He's not afraid of verbally abusing the guards, even if his fate is in their hands. And as soon as he arrives at the prison camp, he declares his intention to make his escape. It’s an idea that’s barely conceivable for his fellow prisoners, who are on the verge of insanity after their long imprisonment. But Dengler's persistence is the only way out for them all.