Rescue Dawn

So I saw that Rescue Dawn is hitting US theaters soon. Starting a thread for this film since I've been seeing a ton of rave reviews, especially because my absolute favorite, Christian Bale, is starring in it, but if I'm being totally honest, I don't have the slightest clue what this movie is actually about...

Why isn't it in theaters yet, and is it even going to show up considering it was filmed back in 2006? Why is there so little buzz about it, even on major American sites? And how did they even get the title translated for the American market? Help me out here.
🤷 🤷

True story about an American pilot who gets shot down over Vietnam and ends up stuck in a POW camp, where he plots his escape.

I also read somewhere that Bale actually starved himself for this role, dropping maybe 20 or 30 pounds just to get the look... kind of similar to what he did for Disappearance.

Bale does this all the time😁

The film got great reviews (Herzog is back in top form and all that hype), but it bombed hard at the US box office. Honestly, we probably won't even see it hit theaters here. So, when is it hitting streaming? 🤷 . Only the distributors know, but hopefully soon since it's dropping in the States this week. Not like that matters much to us anyway 😂

Larry Cooper40 said:The movie actually pulled some great reviews—Herzog is clearly back in top form and everyone's raving about it—but it bombed hard at the US box office. Probably means we won't even see it in theaters over here...

Honestly, that’s what fascinates me about Christian Bale. I don't think he's ever made a movie that isn't a total blast to watch. I mean, he's got absolute masterpieces under his belt—Batman, The Prestige, Memento... the list goes on. But somehow, his films (unless there are a few outliers) constantly tank at the box office, just like this one is doing. 🤷

He's a low-key, happily married guy, so maybe he's just missing that flashy Hollywood glitz needed to actually make some bank...🤷 🤷

ruggedfox28 said:That’s actually one of the things I find most fascinating about Christian Bale. In my opinion, he hasn't made a movie yet that isn't absolutely worth watching—and honestly, he’s delivered several all-time classics, like the new Batman, The Prestige, Memento... but his films (unless there are rare exceptions) almost always struggle at the US box office, which is clearly what's happening here. 🤷

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Bale wasn't in Memento. Those films were directed by Nolan.

You're totally right, it was actually Guy Pearce in that one... my bad 👍

The DVD has actually been released already, though you won't find it in stores here in the States just yet! I actually stumbled upon a really fascinating article regarding this film.

Wait, isn't there that one scene where Bale is literally sucking up worms and then passing them off to another guy in the camp? I think it was mostly for the visceral impact, but man—those leeches weren't any easier on the eyes either.

Regardless, it’s a really solid film. Honestly, it feels almost textbook in its execution, especially considering who directed it and the subject matter involved.

John Hall said:The DVD is already out, just not here in the States yet. I actually stumbled upon a pretty interesting article about the film... I was just reading this piece about how much of an impact *Rescue Dawn* had on people... man, that movie really stays with you. It’s one of those stories where you can't help but feel the grit under your fingernails. Watching Christian Bale go through that transformation is just wild... he really committed to the role. The way Herzog handled the whole vibe of Vietnam was so raw, too. It didn't feel like some polished Hollywood production; it felt heavy. You could almost smell the jungle through the screen. And Guy Pearce? Absolutely incredible. He brought such a specific kind of desperation to the part... it's hard to watch sometimes, but you can't look away. It makes you wonder how many other films capture that level of pure, unadulterated tension without relying on cheap tricks... honestly, I haven't seen anything quite like it since.

I honestly don't even know where to start... 🙏 🙏 🙏 Honestly, the only thing left to tell him would have been to go ahead and snack on some earwax or maybe something from his nose if he was really that desperate for a solid meal... 🤣

Fantastic film—it seems Herzog hasn't lost his touch...