list http://www.spout.com/ Recent community activity around Little Dieter Needs to Fly on Spout Copyright 2005-9 Spout, LLC Spout RSS http://www.spout.com/images/SpoutLogoRSS.jpg http://www.spout.com/ 136 30 http://www.spout.com/films/Little_Dieter_Needs_to_Fly/114539/default.aspx Title: Little Dieter Needs to Fly
Year: 1997
Director: Werner Herzog
Plot: While growing up in desolated post-WW II Germany, all Dieter Dengler, the son of a Nazi slain during the war, dreamed about was becoming a pilot. At age 18, he left his country with only a few cents to his name and emigrated to the U.S. Landing in San Francisco, he worked odd jobs until he was accepted into the Navy and began pilot training. He was sent to Vietnam around 1966 and on his first mission was shot down and taken prisoner. There, the Vietcong tortured and starved him until Dengler engineered a hair-raising escape and eventually returned to the U.S. where his heroic life story has been forgotten until now. Sometimes blurring the lines between fact and fiction with his trademark recurrent themes, this documentary from Werner Herzog remembers the times of the heroic Dengler. The film is divided into four chapters, each representing a period from Dengler's life; the story is recounted via interviews with the Navy pilot, archival footage and new footage seamlessly spliced together. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Times Tagged: 6
Number of Lists: 10
Number of blog posts: 10
Number of discussion threads: 6
SpoutRating: 4
]]>Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:38:35 GMTLittle Dieter Needs to Fly1997Werner HerzogWhile growing up in desolated post-WW II Germany, all Dieter Dengler, the son of a Nazi slain during the war, dreamed about was becoming a pilot. At age 18, he left his country with only a few cents to his name and emigrated to the U.S. Landing in San Francisco, he worked odd jobs until he was accepted into the Navy and began pilot training. He was sent to Vietnam around 1966 and on his first mission was shot down and taken prisoner. There, the Vietcong tortured and starved him until Dengler engineered a hair-raising escape and eventually returned to the U.S. where his heroic life story has been forgotten until now. Sometimes blurring the lines between fact and fiction with his trademark recurrent themes, this documentary from <a href="/players/P____94214/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Werner Herzog</a> remembers the times of the heroic Dengler. The film is divided into four chapters, each representing a period from Dengler's life; the story is recounted via interviews with the Navy pilot, archival footage and new footage seamlessly spliced together. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide6Taggedy Taggged (6-10)101064http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/u14456cvix6.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Little_Dieter_Needs_to_Fly/114539/default.aspxFilm http://www.spout.com/groups/Movie_Polls/Which_of_these_documentaries_directed_by_Werner_He/657/42584/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: Risselada
Post To: Movie Polls
Post Date: 6/9/2009 11:38:35 AM
Body: Please reference this thread for the rules of this group. Whether documentary or narrative, Herzog states that he tries to find a kind of deeper truth in a constructed reality. Please vote only once in each poll. Movies referenced in this poll:Encounters at the End of the WorldDie große Ekstase des Bildschnitzers Steiner (The Great Ecstasy of Woodcarver Steiner)Grizzly ManLand des Schweigens und der Dunkelheit (Land of Silence and Darkness)Lektionen in Finsternis (Lessons of Darkness)Little Dieter Needs to FlyMein liebster Feind - Klaus Kinski (My Best Fiend)Wheel of TimeThe White DiamondJulianes Sturz in den Dschungel (Wings of Hope)
]]>Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:38:35 GMTRisseladaMovie Polls6/9/2009 11:38:35 AMPlease reference this thread for the rules of this group. Whether documentary or narrative, Herzog states that he tries to find a kind of deeper truth in a constructed reality. Please vote only once in each poll. Movies referenced in this poll:Encounters at the End of the WorldDie gro&szlig;e Ekstase des Bildschnitzers Steiner (The Great Ecstasy of Woodcarver Steiner)Grizzly ManLand des Schweigens und der Dunkelheit (Land of Silence and Darkness)Lektionen in Finsternis (Lessons of Darkness)Little Dieter Needs to FlyMein liebster Feind - Klaus Kinski (My Best Fiend)Wheel of TimeThe White DiamondJulianes Sturz in den Dschungel (Wings of Hope) http://www.spout.com/blogs/warmovieblog/archive/2009/5/23/42390.aspx Post By: WarMovieBlog
Post To: WarMovieBlog Blog
Post Date: 5/23/2009 9:01:21 AM
Body: Little Dieter Needs to Fly (1997) IMDB 2006's Rescue Dawn was the story of US Navy pilot Dieter Dengler, as he was shot down over Vietnam, and his successful escape from the POW camp, the only person ever to achieve such a feat.Little Dieter Needs to Fly is a documentary of that same story, told from the man himself, Dieter Dengler.  And if there was ever a more engaging, interesting, and just plain curious documentary, or individual, for that matter, I think I've yet to see it. Told entirely by Mr. Dengler, he revisits the locations involved in his story, and with amazing clarity and presence of mind, recounts the story in great detail.  To be quite honest, I was simply amazed at his ability to put himself back into those situations, back into shackles, and walking through the jungle.  All this while (at least for the camera) maintaining a bizarre and seemingly out-of-place sense of humor about the whole thing.In fact, in my review of Rescue Dawn, I noted that the movie seemed to be a little too light-hearted for the situation.  But after seeing "Little Dieter" I think I fully understand why it was this way.In any case, Little Dieter Needs to Fly will glue you to your screen, make you laugh, move you to tears, and introduce you to one of the real heroes of the Vietnam war.  Of course he would deny that, but I'll let you be the judge....Here's a little clip, I hope you can see what I mean from this one.... Little Dieter Needs to Fly (1997) on Spout.com Originally posted on:War Movie Reviews and News
]]>Sat, 23 May 2009 13:01:21 GMTWarMovieBlogWarMovieBlog Blog5/23/2009 9:01:21 AMLittle Dieter Needs to Fly (1997) IMDB 2006's Rescue Dawn was the story of US Navy pilot Dieter Dengler, as he was shot down over Vietnam, and his successful escape from the POW camp, the only person ever to achieve such a feat.Little Dieter Needs to Fly is a documentary of that same story, told from the man himself, Dieter Dengler.  And if there was ever a more engaging, interesting, and just plain curious documentary, or individual, for that matter, I think I've yet to see it. Told entirely by Mr. Dengler, he revisits the locations involved in his story, and with amazing clarity and presence of mind, recounts the story in great detail.  To be quite honest, I was simply amazed at his ability to put himself back into those situations, back into shackles, and walking through the jungle.  All this while (at least for the camera) maintaining a bizarre and seemingly out-of-place sense of humor about the whole thing.In fact, in my review of Rescue Dawn, I noted that the movie seemed to be a little too light-hearted for the situation.  But after seeing "Little Dieter" I think I fully understand why it was this way.In any case, Little Dieter Needs to Fly will glue you to your screen, make you laugh, move you to tears, and introduce you to one of the real heroes of the Vietnam war.  Of course he would deny that, but I'll let you be the judge....Here's a little clip, I hope you can see what I mean from this one.... Little Dieter Needs to Fly (1997) on Spout.com Originally posted on:War Movie Reviews and News http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/archive/2009/1/30/40091.aspx Post By: SpoutBlog
Post To: SpoutBlog on spout.com
Post Date: 1/30/2009 1:00:46 PM
Body: It was shut out of the Oscar race for Best Documentary Feature, but Blessed is the Match: The Life and Death of Hannah Senesh, now playing in New York City, could easily inspire a Hollywood film about the life of its heroic subject. And that dramatic version could potentially garner multiple Academy Award nominations. It wouldn’t be the first time a figure documented in a nonfiction film was later portrayed in an Oscar-nominated movie. In fact, one of this year’s Best Picture contenders, Milk, is almost like a remake of the 1984 Oscar-winning documentary The Times of Harvey Milk. Actual dramatic remakes of documentaries include Werner Herzogs’ Rescue Dawn, which revisits the subject of his earlier nonfiction film Little Dieter Needs to Fly, Michael Caton-Jones’ Memphis Belle, which fictionalizes the story of William Wyler’s doc The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress, and Martin Bell’s American Heart, which is loosely based on one of the subjects of his Oscar-nominated doc Streetwise. Also, the upcoming HBO dramatic film Grey Gardens was inspired by the Maysles brothers’ doc of the same name, and Hollywood has toyed with or announced remakes of the films The King of Kong, Murderball, Bra Boys and Sherman’s March. To carry on the tradition, we’ve selected nine nonfiction films in addition to Blessed is the Match that would make great dramatic features. Beyond the Call (2006) This little-seen documentary has played at a number of film festivals (I reviewed it at Tribeca) and seems to have been quite popular at each, yet it isn’t likely that it’ll ever come to a theater near you. It may never even be available for your Netflix queue. But you’ve just got to see the work of the three old men who call themselves Knightsbridge, even if it has to be in a fictionalized form. So pray that someone in Hollywood grabs onto their story, which is filled with dangerous humanitarian aid missions and lots of humor. According to the doc’s official synopsis, the film is “an Indiana Jones meets Mother Theresa adventure,” and that’s just the kind of tagline that would suit a summer blockbuster based on this true story. Blessed is the Match: The Life and Death of Hannah Senesh (2008) One of the few Holocaust-related docs to not garner an Academy Award nomination, Roberta Grossman’s film is about Hannah Senesh, a Jewish poet who became part of a dangerous rescue mission to save Hungarian Jews and was eventually caught, tortured and executed by the Nazis. A dramatic film, which would be far more Hollywoodized than the doc’s re-enactment scenes, might be like a cross between Oscar-nominated films Defiance and Sophie Scholl – The Final Days. Brother’s Keeper (1992) Fratricide has made for great stories, from The Bible onward, but mainstream audiences may not run out to see a movie based on Brother’s Keeper, even if it does hold onto the Biblically influenced title. However, while homosexual incest and illiterate old country folk are difficult subjects to sell to moviegoers, murder mysteries will always fascinate people, and anyway the story of the Ward brothers could be more like a male Grey Gardens meets Capote than a dark, depressing drama that would only appeal to Sundance crowds. Changing Our Minds: The Story of Dr. Evelyn Hooker (1992) Now that the life of Harvey Milk has been turned into an Oscar-nominated dramatic feature, Hollywood should take on a biopic about Dr. Evelyn Hooker, whose life and work are depicted in this Oscar-nominated documentary from Richard Schmiechen (who also won an Oscar for producing The Times of Harvey Milk). Hooker’s research in the 1950s led to the discovery that homosexuality is not a disease. And subsequent study and activism resulted in the eventual removal, in 1974, of homosexuality from the American Psychiatric Association’s manual of mental disorders. A remake of Changing Our Minds would be like a cross between Milk and Kinsey. (note: the video above is not from Changing Our Minds, but is the best available alternative I have to present a clip of Hooker). Crazy Love (2007) In the typical Hollywood romance, female audiences see the same old reinforced fantasy about finding a man: while most guys lie, cheat, etc., there are Prince Charmings out there. Well, a dramatized version of Crazy Love might be the perfect romantic comedy for men to drag their girlfriends to. No, not to show them that they’d better not leave or they’ll get acid in the face. Rather, to say, “Look, no matter what I do, at least I’m not the kinda guy who blinds and disfigures the love of his life.” (Or, in other words, a lie to your face is not as bad as lye in your face.) Besides the appeal to boys who will be boys, however, a romantic comedy in which the couple meet, fall in love, are separated when the guy goes to prison for having the girl crippled, are reunited many years later, and eventually marry, is just crazy enough to hit a chord with moviegoers tired of the usual Renee Zellweger/Reese Witherspoon/Drew Barrymore crap. Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008) In her review of this documentary, Karina writes that it “sets up a foundation which it knows it’s going to pull out from under us, and that makes it every bit as emotionally manipulative as a studio film.” Perfect, the film already offers Hollywood a structure for the dramatic version. Other than that, though, the remake would potentially focus on Shirley Turner, who murdered her boyfriend and then gave birth to his child, rather than on the character of Kurt Kuenne, who documents the story in the original. Then again, it could stick with Kuenne, and, though not be as personal as the nonfiction film, might be along the lines of an investigative drama, such as Zodiac. Either way, due to his name appearing in Karina’s review, M. Night Shyamalan has to direct it. Deliver Us from Evil (2006) With Doubt a big success as far as Oscar nominations go (if not as far as box office is concerned), it might be an okay time for Hollywood to make a film that’s more directly focused on the subject of pedophilic priests. It could hardly make less money than Doubt, and if a great actor were to portray Father O’Grady, it could be as popular with the Academy, which already nominated the original film for Best Documentary Feature. Golden Venture (2006) Another little-seen documentary that played Tribeca a few years ago (I reviewed the film then), Golden Venture depicts a failed attempt at an illegal alien smuggling operation and its aftermath. In its first ten minutes, the film offers enough action involving a sea voyage from China to New York City, during which there was mutiny, gang violence and ultimately a Coast Guard rescue, that a dramatic version might not even have time to get to the aftermath part. But as much as turning the doc into an action movie could work, the more interesting stuff relating to immigration and population control should be integrated, too. Like the original film, the dramatized version could separately follow the paths of four characters, each of whom has a different outcome. Tim Robbins, who narrated the doc, could direct it. Street Fight (2005) Newark Mayor Cory Booker’s name has been tossed about on news channels over the past few months due to his similarities with newly elected President Barack Obama. So, considering entertainment magazines predict the new administration will have an effect on pop culture, why not honor that idea by making a dramatic film about Booker’s battle with incumbent Sharpe James for City Hall. It would be a little like Milk, only without the gay rights angle or the tragic ending. And to make it more crowd-pleasing than Marshall Curry’s doc, the new movie wouldn’t end with Booker’s loss in 2002 but would see him all the way to the Mayor’s office in 2006. Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson (2004) Hollywood has never tired of boxing movies and it always loves a good civil rights struggle, so it’s amazing that no studio has tackled an official biopic about Jack Johnson, the first African-American Heavyweight Champion of the World. Sure, there’s The Great White Hope, which is somewhat based on Johnson’s life. And sure, if people want the truth they can check out this doc from Ken Burns (or, if it’s ever released on video, the earlier Oscar-nominated film Jack Johnson). But again, Hollywood never tires of boxing movies, and it always loves a good civil rights struggle, so perhaps it’s just a matter of time before we see this story dramatized for real. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog
]]>Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:00:46 GMTSpoutBlogSpoutBlog on spout.com1/30/2009 1:00:46 PMIt was shut out of the Oscar race for Best Documentary Feature, but Blessed is the Match: The Life and Death of Hannah Senesh, now playing in New York City, could easily inspire a Hollywood film about the life of its heroic subject. And that dramatic version could potentially garner multiple Academy Award nominations. It wouldn’t be the first time a figure documented in a nonfiction film was later portrayed in an Oscar-nominated movie. In fact, one of this year’s Best Picture contenders, Milk, is almost like a remake of the 1984 Oscar-winning documentary The Times of Harvey Milk. Actual dramatic remakes of documentaries include Werner Herzogs’ Rescue Dawn, which revisits the subject of his earlier nonfiction film Little Dieter Needs to Fly, Michael Caton-Jones’ Memphis Belle, which fictionalizes the story of William Wyler’s doc The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress, and Martin Bell’s American Heart, which is loosely based on one of the subjects of his Oscar-nominated doc Streetwise. Also, the upcoming HBO dramatic film Grey Gardens was inspired by the Maysles brothers’ doc of the same name, and Hollywood has toyed with or announced remakes of the films The King of Kong, Murderball, Bra Boys and Sherman’s March. To carry on the tradition, we’ve selected nine nonfiction films in addition to Blessed is the Match that would make great dramatic features. Beyond the Call (2006) This little-seen documentary has played at a number of film festivals (I reviewed it at Tribeca) and seems to have been quite popular at each, yet it isn’t likely that it’ll ever come to a theater near you. It may never even be available for your Netflix queue. But you’ve just got to see the work of the three old men who call themselves Knightsbridge, even if it has to be in a fictionalized form. So pray that someone in Hollywood grabs onto their story, which is filled with dangerous humanitarian aid missions and lots of humor. According to the doc’s official synopsis, the film is “an Indiana Jones meets Mother Theresa adventure,” and that’s just the kind of tagline that would suit a summer blockbuster based on this true story. Blessed is the Match: The Life and Death of Hannah Senesh (2008) One of the few Holocaust-related docs to not garner an Academy Award nomination, Roberta Grossman’s film is about Hannah Senesh, a Jewish poet who became part of a dangerous rescue mission to save Hungarian Jews and was eventually caught, tortured and executed by the Nazis. A dramatic film, which would be far more Hollywoodized than the doc’s re-enactment scenes, might be like a cross between Oscar-nominated films Defiance and Sophie Scholl – The Final Days. Brother’s Keeper (1992) Fratricide has made for great stories, from The Bible onward, but mainstream audiences may not run out to see a movie based on Brother’s Keeper, even if it does hold onto the Biblically influenced title. However, while homosexual incest and illiterate old country folk are difficult subjects to sell to moviegoers, murder mysteries will always fascinate people, and anyway the story of the Ward brothers could be more like a male Grey Gardens meets Capote than a dark, depressing drama that would only appeal to Sundance crowds. Changing Our Minds: The Story of Dr. Evelyn Hooker (1992) Now that the life of Harvey Milk has been turned into an Oscar-nominated dramatic feature, Hollywood should take on a biopic about Dr. Evelyn Hooker, whose life and work are depicted in this Oscar-nominated documentary from Richard Schmiechen (who also won an Oscar for producing The Times of Harvey Milk). Hooker’s research in the 1950s led to the discovery that homosexuality is not a disease. And subsequent study and activism resulted in the eventual removal, in 1974, of homosexuality from the American Psychiatric Association’s manual of mental disorders. A remake of Changing Our Minds would be like a cross between Milk and Kinsey. (note: the video above is not from Changing Our Minds, but is the best available alternative I have to present a clip of Hooker). Crazy Love (2007) In the typical Hollywood romance, female audiences see the same old reinforced fantasy about finding a man: while most guys lie, cheat, etc., there are Prince Charmings out there. Well, a dramatized version of Crazy Love might be the perfect romantic comedy for men to drag their girlfriends to. No, not to show them that they’d better not leave or they’ll get acid in the face. Rather, to say, “Look, no matter what I do, at least I’m not the kinda guy who blinds and disfigures the love of his life.” (Or, in other words, a lie to your face is not as bad as lye in your face.) Besides the appeal to boys who will be boys, however, a romantic comedy in which the couple meet, fall in love, are separated when the guy goes to prison for having the girl crippled, are reunited many years later, and eventually marry, is just crazy enough to hit a chord with moviegoers tired of the usual Renee Zellweger/Reese Witherspoon/Drew Barrymore crap. Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008) In her review of this documentary, Karina writes that it “sets up a foundation which it knows it’s going to pull out from under us, and that makes it every bit as emotionally manipulative as a studio film.” Perfect, the film already offers Hollywood a structure for the dramatic version. Other than that, though, the remake would potentially focus on Shirley Turner, who murdered her boyfriend and then gave birth to his child, rather than on the character of Kurt Kuenne, who documents the story in the original. Then again, it could stick with Kuenne, and, though not be as personal as the nonfiction film, might be along the lines of an investigative drama, such as Zodiac. Either way, due to his name appearing in Karina’s review, M. Night Shyamalan has to direct it. Deliver Us from Evil (2006) With Doubt a big success as far as Oscar nominations go (if not as far as box office is concerned), it might be an okay time for Hollywood to make a film that’s more directly focused on the subject of pedophilic priests. It could hardly make less money than Doubt, and if a great actor were to portray Father O’Grady, it could be as popular with the Academy, which already nominated the original film for Best Documentary Feature. Golden Venture (2006) Another little-seen documentary that played Tribeca a few years ago (I reviewed the film then), Golden Venture depicts a failed attempt at an illegal alien smuggling operation and its aftermath. In its first ten minutes, the film offers enough action involving a sea voyage from China to New York City, during which there was mutiny, gang violence and ultimately a Coast Guard rescue, that a dramatic version might not even have time to get to the aftermath part. But as much as turning the doc into an action movie could work, the more interesting stuff relating to immigration and population control should be integrated, too. Like the original film, the dramatized version could separately follow the paths of four characters, each of whom has a different outcome. Tim Robbins, who narrated the doc, could direct it. Street Fight (2005) Newark Mayor Cory Booker’s name has been tossed about on news channels over the past few months due to his similarities with newly elected President Barack Obama. So, considering entertainment magazines predict the new administration will have an effect on pop culture, why not honor that idea by making a dramatic film about Booker’s battle with incumbent Sharpe James for City Hall. It would be a little like Milk, only without the gay rights angle or the tragic ending. And to make it more crowd-pleasing than Marshall Curry’s doc, the new movie wouldn’t end with Booker’s loss in 2002 but would see him all the way to the Mayor’s office in 2006. Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson (2004) Hollywood has never tired of boxing movies and it always loves a good civil rights struggle, so it’s amazing that no studio has tackled an official biopic about Jack Johnson, the first African-American Heavyweight Champion of the World. Sure, there’s The Great White Hope, which is somewhat based on Johnson’s life. And sure, if people want the truth they can check out this doc from Ken Burns (or, if it’s ever released on video, the earlier Oscar-nominated film Jack Johnson). But again, Hollywood never tires of boxing movies, and it always loves a good civil rights struggle, so perhaps it’s just a matter of time before we see this story dramatized for real. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog http://www.spout.com/blogs/lmstanley/archive/2008/7/21/32841.aspx Post By: lmstanley
Post To: lmstanley Blog
Post Date: 7/21/2008 1:56:47 PM
Body: I've been thinking about this film for days now. It takes you through the journey of a U.S. fighter pilot, Dieter Dengler (Christian Bale) trying to escape a Vietnam POW camp. The most moving part of this film for me is watching Dieter's amazing resolve to survive against all odds. His positive outlook and ingenuity truly enabled him to plot against his captures. This being based on a true story makes me process this film differently, and ask myself if I could survive in that situation. I’ve struggled with thinking that I’m not sure how I’d handle a similar situation, and I pray that I’ll never have to. It’s a truly great film highlighting the mysterious depths of the human spirit when faced with great challenges. Now I want to watch the documentary on Dieter, “Little Dieter Needs to Fly”, to pay homage to this inspiring man.
]]>Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:56:47 GMTlmstanleylmstanley Blog7/21/2008 1:56:47 PMI've been thinking about this film for days now. It takes you through the journey of a U.S. fighter pilot, Dieter Dengler (Christian Bale) trying to escape a Vietnam POW camp. The most moving part of this film for me is watching Dieter's amazing resolve to survive against all odds. His positive outlook and ingenuity truly enabled him to plot against his captures. This being based on a true story makes me process this film differently, and ask myself if I could survive in that situation. I&rsquo;ve struggled with thinking that I&rsquo;m not sure how I&rsquo;d handle a similar situation, and I pray that I&rsquo;ll never have to. It&rsquo;s a truly great film highlighting the mysterious depths of the human spirit when faced with great challenges. Now I want to watch the documentary on Dieter, &ldquo;Little Dieter Needs to Fly&rdquo;, to pay homage to this inspiring man. http://www.spout.com/groups/Movie_Watchin_Wednesday/July_16th_Rescue_Dawn/624/32657/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: csprague
Post To: Movie Watchin Wednesday
Post Date: 7/17/2008 10:15:23 AM
Body: Directed by Werner Herzog. Starring Christian Bale, Galen Yuen, Jeremy Davies, Steve Zahn, Abhijati Jusakul. Watch trailer Acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog returns to direct his first feature since 2001's Invincible with this dramatic action film inspired by his own 1997 documentary Little Dieter Needs to Fly and detailing the escape efforts of a German-American pilot who was taken as a prisoner-of-war after being shot down over Laos during the Vietnam War. When U.S. fighter pilot Dieter Dengler (Christian Bale) escaped death after being shot down over one of the most intense front lines in the Vietnam War, his troubles were only beginning. Subsequently taken captive by the enemy and forced to endure a harrowing stint in a Vietnamese prison camp, Dengler and his fellow captives stag a death-defying escape that would later inspire one of German's most accomplished directors to capture the remarkable tale on camera. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie GuideAn Interview with Harry Knapp about Rescue DawnPaul interviews Harry Knapp (producer, Rescue Dawn) on The Red Carpet at Starz Denver Film Festival.(11/19/2006 Starz Denver film Festival) An Interview with Jeremy Davies about Rescue DawnPaul interviews Jeremy Davies on The Red Carpet at Starz Denver Film Festival before screening Rescue Dawn.(11/19/2006 Starz Denver Film Festival)
]]>Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:15:23 GMTcspragueMovie Watchin Wednesday7/17/2008 10:15:23 AM Directed by Werner Herzog. Starring Christian Bale, Galen Yuen, Jeremy Davies, Steve Zahn, Abhijati Jusakul. Watch trailer Acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog returns to direct his first feature since 2001's Invincible with this dramatic action film inspired by his own 1997 documentary Little Dieter Needs to Fly and detailing the escape efforts of a German-American pilot who was taken as a prisoner-of-war after being shot down over Laos during the Vietnam War. When U.S. fighter pilot Dieter Dengler (Christian Bale) escaped death after being shot down over one of the most intense front lines in the Vietnam War, his troubles were only beginning. Subsequently taken captive by the enemy and forced to endure a harrowing stint in a Vietnamese prison camp, Dengler and his fellow captives stag a death-defying escape that would later inspire one of German's most accomplished directors to capture the remarkable tale on camera. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie GuideAn Interview with Harry Knapp about Rescue DawnPaul interviews Harry Knapp (producer, Rescue Dawn) on The Red Carpet at Starz Denver Film Festival.(11/19/2006 Starz Denver film Festival) An Interview with Jeremy Davies about Rescue DawnPaul interviews Jeremy Davies on The Red Carpet at Starz Denver Film Festival before screening Rescue Dawn.(11/19/2006 Starz Denver Film Festival) http://www.spout.com/blogs/cinemarian/archive/2008/5/12/28612.aspx Post By: CinemaRian
Post To: CinemaRian Blog
Post Date: 5/12/2008 11:47:11 AM
Body: As a title, Little Dieter Needs to Fly only makes sense if in this context, "fly" means "to flee" instead of "to operate an aircraft." Although its protagonist is certainly interested in the latter, most of Werner Herzog's documentary focuses on Dieter Dengler, who was the only US soldier to escape a Vietnamese P.O.W. camp. Dengler is another classic Herzog subject- obsessed, eccentric but loving attention. Unlike some other Herzog characters, his goal is more reasonable than dragging a boat over a mountain or becoming a bear- he just wants to survive the prison camp and fly more airplanes. The story of Dengler, like all Herzog stories is devastatingly simple. Growing up in Germany during WWII, Dengler became fascinated with aviation and dreamed of becoming a pilot. Unfortunately, Germany had no air force or even commercial airlines for some time following the war, so Dengler emigrated to America and joined the Air Force- where he spent two years on K.P. detail. Refusing to give up on his dream, Dengler quit the Air Force, went to college, got a degree, and then joined the Navy- so he could serve on an aircraft carrier in Vietnam. While flying his first mission in 1965, he was shot down and taken prisoner, and kept in conditions so appalling that words cannot describe them. This story is fascinating, but because this is Herzog, there is an interesting twist- instead of using just found footage with new interviews and perhaps some limited b-roll, as 99% of other filmmakers would have done, Herzog takes Dengler back to Vietnam and has him reenact his captivity. Much of this footage, featuring emotionless Vietnamese natives who may or may not be aware of what they are actually doing, is very weird. Deiter finds the re-creation stressful (duh), and we wonder why he agreed to it. Perhaps its just because he likes telling his story so much. I think the reason why the soldier is so open with his story is because he probably had to replay it thousands of times in his mind, and would prefer to share it, with all its tragic and gory details, then have it be a private war story lost to history. Herzog unfortunately does not delver very much into Deiter's personal life. I wish we would have known more about his re-integration into society as well as his wife and children. This is not the great movie it could be because somehow it's more of an intellectual experience as opposed to an emotional one. Instead of a visceral account of survival, it's more about the oddness of Dieter Dengler himself. I wish I knew why Dengler was the he way he was. Perhaps Herzog did too, but he didn't find from this movie. Nevertheless, the details of the escape or so inherently interesting that this film surely merits a recommendation. Little Dieter Needs to Fly (1997)
]]>Mon, 12 May 2008 15:47:11 GMTCinemaRianCinemaRian Blog5/12/2008 11:47:11 AMAs a title, Little Dieter Needs to Fly only makes sense if in this context, "fly" means "to flee" instead of "to operate an aircraft." Although its protagonist is certainly interested in the latter, most of Werner Herzog's documentary focuses on Dieter Dengler, who was the only US soldier to escape a Vietnamese P.O.W. camp. Dengler is another classic Herzog subject- obsessed, eccentric but loving attention. Unlike some other Herzog characters, his goal is more reasonable than dragging a boat over a mountain or becoming a bear- he just wants to survive the prison camp and fly more airplanes. The story of Dengler, like all Herzog stories is devastatingly simple. Growing up in Germany during WWII, Dengler became fascinated with aviation and dreamed of becoming a pilot. Unfortunately, Germany had no air force or even commercial airlines for some time following the war, so Dengler emigrated to America and joined the Air Force- where he spent two years on K.P. detail. Refusing to give up on his dream, Dengler quit the Air Force, went to college, got a degree, and then joined the Navy- so he could serve on an aircraft carrier in Vietnam. While flying his first mission in 1965, he was shot down and taken prisoner, and kept in conditions so appalling that words cannot describe them. This story is fascinating, but because this is Herzog, there is an interesting twist- instead of using just found footage with new interviews and perhaps some limited b-roll, as 99% of other filmmakers would have done, Herzog takes Dengler back to Vietnam and has him reenact his captivity. Much of this footage, featuring emotionless Vietnamese natives who may or may not be aware of what they are actually doing, is very weird. Deiter finds the re-creation stressful (duh), and we wonder why he agreed to it. Perhaps its just because he likes telling his story so much. I think the reason why the soldier is so open with his story is because he probably had to replay it thousands of times in his mind, and would prefer to share it, with all its tragic and gory details, then have it be a private war story lost to history. Herzog unfortunately does not delver very much into Deiter's personal life. I wish we would have known more about his re-integration into society as well as his wife and children. This is not the great movie it could be because somehow it's more of an intellectual experience as opposed to an emotional one. Instead of a visceral account of survival, it's more about the oddness of Dieter Dengler himself. I wish I knew why Dengler was the he way he was. Perhaps Herzog did too, but he didn't find from this movie. Nevertheless, the details of the escape or so inherently interesting that this film surely merits a recommendation. Little Dieter Needs to Fly (1997) http://www.spout.com/blogs/fitzcarraldo/archive/2008/1/1/23386.aspx Post By: fitzcarraldo
Post To: fitzcarraldo Blog
Post Date: 1/1/2008 2:33:10 AM
Body: This film was like a book you just can't put down. What makes Dieter Dengler's story so intensely compelling is because it delivers a message that the human experience lived by an individual (and ultimately, those around us...including maybe people you would never suspect) can be unbelievable. Dream-like. Nightmarish. But yet unflinchingly real.And told from the voice of the person who experienced both the absolute horrors and unspeakable elation of life up until and possibly crossing into death makes it an important film to see In a way, Herzog is like some sort of prophet of the human condition, bringing into view life seen from impossible angles -- alien territory and indescribable depths of experience -- depicting human existence in a way many of us can and may never fathom.It's a great film
]]>Tue, 01 Jan 2008 07:33:10 GMTfitzcarraldofitzcarraldo Blog1/1/2008 2:33:10 AMThis film was like a book you just can&#39;t put down. What makes Dieter Dengler&#39;s story so intensely compelling is because it delivers a message that the human experience lived by an individual (and ultimately, those around us...including maybe people you would never suspect) can be unbelievable. Dream-like. Nightmarish. But yet unflinchingly real.And told from the voice of the person who experienced both the absolute horrors and unspeakable elation of life up until and possibly crossing into death makes it an important film to see In a way, Herzog is like some sort of prophet of the human condition, bringing into view life seen from impossible angles -- alien territory and indescribable depths of experience -- depicting human existence in a way many of us can and may never fathom.It&#39;s a great film http://www.spout.com/blogs/paul/archive/2007/12/21/23086.aspx Post By: paul
Post To: paul on spout.com
Post Date: 12/21/2007 4:16:00 PM
Body: I got five minutes to talk to Werner Herzog (it felt like an hour at the time). He’s here with his new documentary on Antarctica, Encounters at the End of the World. But when you get five minutes with a living legend, you don’t want to spend it on a movie synopsis you can read online. So, we talk about life, risk and how his mom quit smoking. Note: I reference Dieter Dengler of Herzog’s Rescue Dawn and Little Dieter Needs to Fly as well as a panel discussion he was on regarding Sean Penn’s Into the Wild. Werner Herzog interview John Krakauer, Sean Penn, Werner Herzog and moderator on a TFF 2007 panel discussion?? Werner Herzog, Encounters at the End of the World Originally posted on:SpoutBlog » Paul
]]>Fri, 21 Dec 2007 21:16:00 GMTpaulpaul on spout.com12/21/2007 4:16:00 PM I got five minutes to talk to Werner Herzog (it felt like an hour at the time). He’s here with his new documentary on Antarctica, Encounters at the End of the World. But when you get five minutes with a living legend, you don’t want to spend it on a movie synopsis you can read online. So, we talk about life, risk and how his mom quit smoking. Note: I reference Dieter Dengler of Herzog’s Rescue Dawn and Little Dieter Needs to Fly as well as a panel discussion he was on regarding Sean Penn’s Into the Wild. Werner Herzog interview John Krakauer, Sean Penn, Werner Herzog and moderator on a TFF 2007 panel discussion?? Werner Herzog, Encounters at the End of the World Originally posted on:SpoutBlog » Paul http://www.spout.com/blogs/paul/archive/2007/12/21/23071.aspx Post By: paul
Post To: paul on spout.com
Post Date: 12/21/2007 4:15:37 PM
Body: Origins of story: Interviewing Justin Evans about his new book soon to be a film, A Good and Happy Child. Rescue Dawn, Werner Herzog’s new movie opened this week starring Christian Bale. We interview actor Jeremy Davies and producer Harry Knapp. It’s the fictional portrayal of Dieter Dengler, the only man to escape a POW camp and be rescued during Vietnam. Herzog made a documentary on Dengler in 1997, Little Dieter Needs to Fly. Download FilmCouch #27 or subscribe in the iTunes store (search for “filmcouch” or click here to launch iTunes) and a new free episode will download every Friday. Join the FilmCouch group Originally posted on:SpoutBlog » Paul
]]>Fri, 21 Dec 2007 21:15:37 GMTpaulpaul on spout.com12/21/2007 4:15:37 PMOrigins of story: Interviewing Justin Evans about his new book soon to be a film, A Good and Happy Child. Rescue Dawn, Werner Herzog’s new movie opened this week starring Christian Bale. We interview actor Jeremy Davies and producer Harry Knapp. It’s the fictional portrayal of Dieter Dengler, the only man to escape a POW camp and be rescued during Vietnam. Herzog made a documentary on Dengler in 1997, Little Dieter Needs to Fly. Download FilmCouch #27 or subscribe in the iTunes store (search for “filmcouch” or click here to launch iTunes) and a new free episode will download every Friday. Join the FilmCouch group Originally posted on:SpoutBlog » Paul http://www.spout.com/blogs/risselada/archive/2007/11/9/21557.aspx Post By: Risselada
Post To: Risselada Blog
Post Date: 11/9/2007 1:06:40 PM
Body: Rescue DawnIt was interesting to hear Herzog say in an interview that he had always thought of the story of Dieter Dengler as a fictional or narrative film as opposed to a documentary. He said he always saw the movie Little Dieter Needs to Fly as a remake of a narrative film that had not yet been physically created.It's an answer to the question of why Rescue Dawn was eventually actually made. I'm not sure if the question needed an answer. I had already seen Little Dieter Needs to Fly when I heard the news that Herzog would be filming a narrative film version of it with Christian Bale, and didn't have any doubts that it would make a fantastic film.The movie is in fact extremely simple. Psychological often, but not overbearing.To concur with what must have been stated many times before, Steve Zahn is absolutely captivating. To peer into his eyes is a pure look at emotions rarely probed so deeply on screen. Fear, desperation, loss of hope.The movie works as one of the most fresh Vietnam war films I believe because of it's lack of epic quality, as opposed to most big Vietnam pictures with large casts, lots of action, drama, back story, wild editing, and ambitious staging. Even at the end of Rescue Dawn when Dieter is welcomed by the gigantic crowd, there is no false sentiment here. For one because if you have seen the original documentary you know this is Dieter's true remembrance of the events. And two because Dieter's reaction is not falsely sentimental or full of platitudes.It would also be important to research Herzog's philosophy that artistic truth comes from a melding of fact and fiction. This is why to me his documentaries often feel a bit manipulated and falsified and his narratives films feel like there is more documentary style truth to them. To Herzog in a way there is no difference to his approach of a documentary or narrative film. They are both a blend of both sides, which may account for his making this movie twice under the two different labels. I'm not sure.Rating: 9/10
]]>Fri, 09 Nov 2007 18:06:40 GMTRisseladaRisselada Blog11/9/2007 1:06:40 PMRescue DawnIt was interesting to hear Herzog say in an interview that he had always thought of the story of Dieter Dengler as a fictional or narrative film as opposed to a documentary. He said he always saw the movie Little Dieter Needs to Fly as a remake of a narrative film that had not yet been physically created.It&#39;s an answer to the question of why Rescue Dawn was eventually actually made. I&#39;m not sure if the question needed an answer. I had already seen Little Dieter Needs to Fly when I heard the news that Herzog would be filming a narrative film version of it with Christian Bale, and didn&#39;t have any doubts that it would make a fantastic film.The movie is in fact extremely simple. Psychological often, but not overbearing.To concur with what must have been stated many times before, Steve Zahn is absolutely captivating. To peer into his eyes is a pure look at emotions rarely probed so deeply on screen. Fear, desperation, loss of hope.The movie works as one of the most fresh Vietnam war films I believe because of it&#39;s lack of epic quality, as opposed to most big Vietnam pictures with large casts, lots of action, drama, back story, wild editing, and ambitious staging. Even at the end of Rescue Dawn when Dieter is welcomed by the gigantic crowd, there is no false sentiment here. For one because if you have seen the original documentary you know this is Dieter&#39;s true remembrance of the events. And two because Dieter&#39;s reaction is not falsely sentimental or full of platitudes.It would also be important to research Herzog&#39;s philosophy that artistic truth comes from a melding of fact and fiction. This is why to me his documentaries often feel a bit manipulated and falsified and his narratives films feel like there is more documentary style truth to them. To Herzog in a way there is no difference to his approach of a documentary or narrative film. They are both a blend of both sides, which may account for his making this movie twice under the two different labels. I&#39;m not sure.Rating: 9/10 http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/war/MemberTagFilms.aspxwar
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