Dieter Dengler appears to be a typical Herzogian protagonist: a fearless dreamer teetering on the edge of madness. But Dengler, a pilot in the Vietnam War, was a real person. Nine years after this documentary, Herzog would adapt his astonishing story into the feature film “Rescue Dawn.” 

The film unveils the remarkable tale of Dieter Dengler, a German pilot in the Vietnam War. Dengler grew up with the dream of becoming a pilot after an experience during World War II. Herzog takes viewers on a journey through Dengler’s life, from his childhood in the Black Forest to his harrowing experiences during captivity and torture in Laos. Herzog has Dengler reenact scenes from his captivity amidst Laotian extras. This surreal blend of fact and fiction offers a chilling narrative, heightened by Dengler’s matter-of-fact storytelling.