Metacritic Movie Ratings
Rescue Dawn Reviews

A sample of reviews from critics across the country.

• 91

  out of 100

  Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum

  Out of a harrowing story set in a foreign thicket, Herzog has found American beauty.

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• 90

  out of 100

  Los Angeles TimesCarina Chocano

  Aside from a riveting adventure story that Herzog tells in all of its terrifying, stripped-down simplicity, Rescue Dawn is a fascinating study of human particularity.

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• 90

  out of 100

  The Hollywood ReporterKirk Honeycutt

  Christian Bale plays Dieter Dengler and this is one of the actor's most complex and compelling performances.

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• 88

  out of 100

  Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert

  The movie is, indeed, perhaps the most believable that Herzog has made. For a director who gravitates toward the extremes of human behavior, this film involves extreme behavior, yes, but behavior forced by the circumstances.

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• 80

  out of 100

  Variety

  As far as establishing a sense of period goes, Herzog cleaves to a refreshing less-is-more philosophy. This may be the first Vietnam-set film in history not to feature a bar of Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones or indeed any other rock music on its soundtrack.

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• 70

  out of 100

  The New York Times

  For the most part, Rescue Dawn is a marvel: a satisfying genre picture that challenges the viewer's expectations.

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• 63

  out of 100

  USA Today

  This is all about escape. And as prison-break movies go, Rescue ranks among the best.

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See all Rescue Dawn movie reviews at Metacritic.com