German director Werner Herzog takes us on the harrowing adventure of Dieter a US pilot on a secret mission to Laos just before America?s involvement in the Vietnam War. The grit and grime of not only the Prison Camp but the Jungle is one of the main aspects of truth in this exciting film. Being filmed in Thailand adds to the films authenticity.

The aforementioned Dieter is played by Batman?s very own Christian Bale, who obviously has a penchant for loosing weight in the preparation of a film role (see the Machinist). Bale comes across as the most positive person the world has ever seen, and this at first is annoying, but as his character is revealed Dieter endures himself to us as the audience and his fellow captives. Fellow detainee Duane played coy & brilliantly by Comedic actor Steve Zahn is the films steady source of realism. When Bale?s character is concocting brilliant escape themes, Duane is quietly studying unlike the boisterous and insane Gene, played by Indie actor extraordinaire Jeremy Davies.

The look and Feel of the film is so un-movie like, it takes some getting used to, the pace is slow the camera moves are deliberate and the action seems to be taking place mostly off camera. In my opinion this method guides the viewer along as a participant rather than a viewer. The dialogue in this film is front and center and no amount of background noise ever encroaches on the most important part of this film- the speaking parts of brilliant actors.

The ending may throw an introspective viewer and may even illicit a ?BullShit!? to be screamed out loud, but upon viewing the films special feature documentary I was convinced that Dieter was portrayed fairly both at the beginning, middle and end of this masterpiece.