Werner Herzog’s (Aguirre: Wrath of God, Fitzcarraldo) fiction version of his own career defining documentary Little Dieter Wants To Fly tells the story of Dieter (Christian Bale), a US pilot shot down over Laos during the Vietnam War.
Dieter’s harrowing imprisonment and subsequent efforts at escape are captured in visceral style by one of cinema’s visionary greats.
Whilst the documentary explores how Dieter’s strength lies in his madness, the fiction film suggests he may survive despite it.
In contrast to the documentary, Dieter is portrayed as a psychologically robust man placed in an extraordinary scenario which he survives largely through his military training and all-American heroic spirit.
Marking something of a departure for Herzog into big budget commercial filmmaking Rescue Dawn shows his absolute mastery of the medium resulting in a riveting film with yet another electric performance from Christian Bale.
