Dieter Dengler dreamed of flying since his childhood in wartime Germany, which is why he volunteered to become a Navy pilot after his family moved to America. The only place he ever wanted to be was in the sky, but now, on his very first top-secret mission over Laos, his plane is shot down to earth. Trapped in an impassable jungle far from U.S. control, Dengler is soon captured by notoriously dangerous Pathet Lao soldiers. Though he quickly realizes he is in the most terrifying and vulnerable of circumstances, he refuses to give an inch. After a shocking initial ordeal, he is taken to a small Laotian prison camp, where he meets two American soldiers already held captive for a stultifying two years--both nearly broken in spirit. Duane can only recommend keeping quiet to stay alive, while the barely sane "Gene from Eugene" insists they are all about to be released any minute now. But Dengler has no intention of sticking around the nightmarish camp, so he begins to dream up an escape plan that takes his fellow prisoners by surprise with its savvy and audacity. Dengler doesn't even know where he is--but he knows with unwavering certainty that he must not stop fighting for his life. As he makes his way into the jungle, his journey will never let up, as it takes him from the bonds of fraternity to the brink of despair, to one of the most remarkable rescues in modern history.

Director:
Werner Herzog	Director
Cast:
Christian Bale	as Dieter
Steve Zahn	as Duane
Jeremy Davies	as Gene
Marshall Bell	as Admiral
Craig Gellis	as Grunt
Pat Healy	as Norman
Toby Huss	as Spook
Abhijati Jusakul	as Phisit
Chaiyan Chunsuttiwat	as Procet
Kriangsak Ming-Olo	as Jumbo
Zach Grenier	as Squad Leader
Gq (Gq)	as Farkas
James Oliver	as Jet Pilot
Brad Carr	as U.S. Navy Pilot
Saichia Wongwiroj	as Pathet Lao Guard
Teerawat Mulvilai	as Little Hitler
Yuttana Muenwaja	as Crazy Horse
Somkuan Siroon (Kuan)	as Nook The Rook
Chorn Solyda	as Walkie Talkie
Galen Yuen	as Y.C.
Emmanuel O.	as Corporal
Richard Manning	as Helicopter Pilot
Evan Jones	as Pilot
Bonnie Z Hutchinson	as Nurse 1
Seneca Shahara Brand	as Nurse 2
Stefany Putnam	as Nurse 3
Katherine Roberts	as Nurse 4
Colin Crosby	as Fbi Agent 2
Chris Tallman	as Dj
Chris Butler	as Rigger
Francois Chau	as Province Governor
Andy Loftus	as Fbi Agent 1
Cinematography:
Peter Zeitlinger	Director Of Photography
Bernd Heinl	Director Of Photography (Alameda Crew)
Picha Srisansanee	Director Of Photography 2nd Unit (Thailand)
Erik Sollner	1st Assistant Camera
Sitthi Chemugsorn (Boy)	1st Assistant Camera
Jarin Pengpanitch	1st Assistant Camera
Wachirapan Nakata	2nd Assistant Camera
Vachilapan Nakata (Golf)	2nd Assistant Camera
Chanate Intarachub (Nate)	2nd Assistant Camera
Thomas Vandermillen	1st Assistant Camera (Alameda Crew)
Ann Lee	2nd Assistant Camera (Alameda Crew)
Ken Bazal	2nd Assistant Camera (Alameda Crew)
Ronnarong Pongjinda (Noom)	Epk Camera Operator
Reg Metcalf	Wescam 2nd Unit (Thailand)
Picha Srisansanee	Camera Operator
Atthawut Phulungga	Film Loader
Chanate Intarachub (Nate)	Film Loader
Writer:
Werner Herzog	Screenwriter
Susanna Lenton	Script Supervisor
Paula Frankel	Script Supervisor (Alameda Crew)
Producer:
Steve Marlton	Producer
Elton Brand	Producer
Werner Herzog	Producer
Harry Knapp	Producer
Freddy Braidy	Executive Producer
Elie Samaha	Executive Producer
Gerald Green	Executive Producer
Nick Raslin	Executive Producer
Michael Dounaev	Executive Producer
Kami Naghdi	Executive Producer
Jimmy De Brabant	Executive Producer
Adam Rosen	Associate Producer
Robyn Klein	Associate Producer
Jonathan Way	Executive In Charge Of Production
Editing:
Joe Bini	Editor
Ryan Delk	Assistant Editor
Jen Gillaspy	Assistant Editor
Maya Hawke	Assistant Editor
Sonny Pettijohn	Assistant Editor
Rick Souza	Post Production Avid (Go-Edit/Fortitude Editorial)
Chris Tayag	Post Production Avid (Go-Edit/Fortitude Editorial)
Che Brooks	Post Production Avid (Go-Edit/Fortitude Editorial)
Ryan Gardner	Post Production Avid (Go-Edit/Fortitude Editorial)
Music:
Caroline Dale	Featured Musician
Dave Hartley	Featured Musician
Craig Eastman	Featured Musician
Vic Fraser	Music Preparation
Klaus Badelt	Music
Robert Elhai	Orchestrations
London Metropolitan Orchestra	Orchestra
Jesse White	Score Tech Assistant
Andy Brown	Conductor
Florian Fricke	Song ("Mantram Der Erdberuhung Ii" ("Mantra Of The Touching Heart"))
Mildred J. Hill	Song ("Happy Birthday To You")
Patty S. Hill	Song ("Happy Birthday To You")
Jack Shaindlin	Song ("Martial Crisis")
Ernst Reijseger	Song ("Dangerous Games"), Song ("River In The Rain"), Song ("Monsoon"), Song ("Voice From Another World"), Song ("Phantom Of The Night")
Frances-Marie Uitti	Song ("Double 2 Bows")
Giacinto Scelsi	Song ("Alleluja" (From "Three Latin Hymns"))
Popol Vuh	Song Performer ("Mantram Der Erdberuhung Ii" ("Mantra Of The Touching Heart"))
Ernst Reijseger	Song Performer ("Dangerous Games"), Song Performer ("River In The Rain"), Song Performer ("Monsoon"), Song Performer ("Voice From Another World"), Song Performer ("Phantom Of The Night")
Frances-Marie Uitti	Song Performer ("Double 2 Bows"), Song Performer ("Alleluja" (From "Three Latin Hymns"))
Christopher S Brooks	Score Co-Producer
Stephen Krause	Score Mixer (Banana Hill)
Ian Honeyman	Arranger
Andrew Raiher	Arranger
Nick Wollage	Score Recorder
Stephen Mclaughlin	Score Recorder
Scrap Marshall	Assistant Recording Engineer
Kris Burton	Assistant Recording Engineer
Title Design:
Marc Fisher	Di Title Sequences
Assistant Direction:
Abhijati Jusakul	1st Assistant Director
Harry Knapp	1st Assistant Director
Tim Brenenstuhl	2nd Assistant Director
Santi Toiparn	2nd Assistant Director
Nukool Nhurod	2nd 2nd Assistant Director
Nick Newell	2nd 2nd Assistant Director
Zefania Preza	2nd Assistant Director (Alameda Crew)
Art Director:
Arin Pinijvararak	Art Director
Anusorn Musicabutr (Sorn)	Assistant Art Director
Animation:
Jason Donnelly	Animator (Cinemapixel)
Erik Courtney	Roto Artist (Filmworks/Fx, Inc.)
Visual Effects:
Krit Nuansri	Sfx Runner
Glenn Campbell	Matchmover (Cinemapixel)
Don L Mccoy	Matchmover (Cinemapixel)
Ricky S Hayner	Vfx Assistant (Cinemapixel)
Toby Rogers	Vfx Assistant (Cinemapixel)
David Alexander	Lead Vfx Artist (Filmworks/Fx, Inc.)
Yoshio Kohashi	Vfx Artist (Filmworks/Fx, Inc.)
James Chu	Vfx Artist (Filmworks/Fx, Inc.)
Owen Holdren	Vfx Artist (Filmworks/Fx, Inc.)
Brandon Perlow	Vfx Artist (Filmworks/Fx, Inc.)
Richard Piedra	Vfx Artist (Filmworks/Fx, Inc.)
Go Aoyama	Vfx Intern (Filmworks/Fx, Inc.)
Tom Clancy	Vfx Still Plates (Filmworks/Fx, Inc.)
Bob Gill	Vfx Telecine Operator (Filmworks/Fx, Inc.)
Heidi Graham	Vfx Co-Ordinator (Filmworks/Fx, Inc.)
Adam Howarth	Special Effects Supervisor
Watcharachai Panichsuk (Samson)	Vfx Supervisor (Thailand)
Daphne Dentz	Digital Intermediate Executive Producer
Anna Dinuovo	Digital Intermediate Producer
Adam Ohl	Digital Intermediate Producer
Christopher F Woods	Vfx Producer (Cinemapixel)
Wiroj Nuansri	Sfx Senior Technician
Po Ketkorn	Sfx Senior Technician
Sarawut Moonpol	Sfx Senior Technician
Ittipol Kaweprapurt	Sfx Technician
Kunakorn Sirisuwan	Sfx Technician
Santipab Moonkawe	Sfx Technician
Ken Locsmandi	Cg Supervisor/Artist (Filmworks/Fx, Inc.)
Tom Polson	Cg Artist (Cinemapixel)
Make-Up:
Conor O'Sullivan	Key Special Effects Makeup
R J Mccasland	Key Makeup Artist
Tanya Cookingham	Makeup Artist, Key Makeup Artist (Alameda Crew)
Danielle Lyn Saunders	Makeup Artist
Janette Nielsen	Makeup Artist (Alameda Crew)
Rob Trenton	Prosthetic Makeup Artist
Jennifer Owens Silva	Key Hair Stylist (Alameda Crew)
Costume-Wardrobe:
Annie Dunn	Costume Designer
Sunny Chayes	Costume Supervisor (Alameda Crew)
Andrea Cooper	Costumer (Alameda Crew)
Jen Power	Costumer (Alameda Crew)
Sophia Green	Wardrobe Pa
Jirada Dairoekngam	Seamstress
Waraporn Kheawnonchai	Wardrobe Supervisor
Preeyanan Suwannathda (Lin)	Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor
Art Department:
Nonjuree Obsuwan	Art Department Coordinator
Wichit Chuchuan (Ben)	Set Dresser
Wimol Hengmee	Painter
Peter Mayer	Set Decorator (Alameda Crew)
Darrin Denlinger	Storyboard Artist
Sound:
Peter Austin	Supervising Sound Editor
Kenneth D Young	Sound Fx Editor
Michael W. Mitchell	Sound Fx Editor
Marc Meyer	Sound Fx Editor
Paul Paragon	Sound Mixer
Scott Kinsey	Sound Mixer (Alameda Crew)
Charles W Hamilton	Stage Recordist
Todd Grace	Rerecording Mixer
Edward C Carr III	Rerecording Mixer
Edward Steidele	Foley Artist
Jerry Trent	Foley Artist
Chris Trent	Foley Mixer
Robert W Redpath	Adr Editor
Eric Gotthelf	Adr Mixer
Jay Petach	Adr Mixer
Thomas J. O'Connell	Adr Mixer
Karyn Foster	Dialogue Editor
Steffan Falesitch	Dialogue Editor
Catherine Flynn	Dialogue Editor
Casting:
Mitch Carter	Loop Group Casting
Eyde Belasco	Casting Director
Raweeporn Srimonju	Casting Director (Thailand)
Chayuti Janrakangtong	Casting Assistant (Thailand)
Beau Bonneau	Extras Casting (Alameda Crew)
Stunts:
Chris Carnel	Stunt Coordinator/Stunt Double (For Christian Bale)
Kim K. Kahana Jr.	Stunt Double (For Steve Zahn)
Production Companies:
Cameo Fj Entertainment	Production Company
Gibraltar Entertainment	Production Company
Thema Production S A	Production Company
Blue Rider Entertainment	Bridge Funding
Blue Rider Finance Inc	Post Production Funding
Hatch Catering	Catering Services
Go Edit	Post Production Avid Services
Fortitude Editorial	Post Production Avid Services
Banana Hill Studios	Score Mixing Facility
Abbey Road Studios	Orchestra Recording
Cinemapixel, Llc	Special Visual Effects (Malibu, California)
Oriental Post Co. Ltd.	Film Development
Deluxe Entertainment Services Group	Film Processing
Entertainment Post	Telecine Provider
Post Group, The	Telecine Provider
Rosen Feig Golland & Lunn, Llp	Legal Services
Anchittha 'Tan Tan' Phongchub	Work Permits
Consult Asia Ltd	Service Agency
Conquistador Entertainment Inc	Distribution Sales
Soonthorn Nimsanea (Add)	Cableman
Mgm Distribution Company	Domestic Theatrical Distributor
Pathe International	Foreign Theatrical Distributor
Hopscotch Features	Foreign Theatrical Distributor
Central Film Verleih Gmbh	Foreign Theatrical Distributor
Gibraltar International	World Wide Distribution Sales
Mgm Home Entertainment	Domestic Video Distributor
Spice Factory	Co-Financier
Werner Herzog Filmproduktion	Co-Financier
Film Production - Main:
Maeve Mannion	Production Accountant
Marc Albanese	Production Accountant
Narimon Atibaed	Production Manager
Fred Runner	Boom Operator (Alameda Crew)
Chris Atkinson	Boom Operator
Salee Thitgratork (Lee)	Best Boy Grip
Prasent Uthenloy (Chang)	Best Boy Grip
Gino Mifsud	Best Boy Grip (Alameda Crew)
Sruang Rongmarut	Sound Truck
Saaya Ruengnate	Grip Truck 1
Rundon Jundee	Utility Pickup
Surachate Chuman	Lighting Truck 1
Pleon Kraipetch	Lighting Truck 2
Prapas Geeta (Neon)	Lighting Truck 3
Bunjong Na Rairum	Lighting Truck 4
Chai Geeta	Lighting Skatebed
Sunun Thaiklang (Chow)	Generator For Facility
Chatanun Buachan (Buoy)	Generator For Lighting 1
Weerarat Puangkeaw (Tong)	Generator For Lighting 2
Berklerk Sampoo	Art Van
Bang Lek	Props Buyer Van
Samporn Wangshen	Swing Gang Pickup
Prayoot Mupung	Stand-By Prop Van
Too Samarai	Stand-By Prop Truck
Anun Kumbangprai	Make-Up Truck
Song Kruanklang	Special Effects Truck
Sakorn Chutcha (Sa)	Producer Motorhome
Akapong Wongsoonthorn (Toa)	Producer Van
Anuchart Namwong	Unit Van
Arthit Thaitae	Mobile Toilet Driver
Phut Thaitae (Doa)	Mobile Toilet Maid
Julian White	Gaffer
Danai Jansomwong (Chai)	Gaffer (Thailand)
Pongkarn Deeboonmee	Grip
Phanuwat Kongkarat (Ae)	Grip
Sitthipong Kaewmarach (Ko)	Grip
Apiwat Samanya (Rin)	Grip
Piyapong Boondachai	Grip
Supakarit Phondej	Grip
Sanya Ruengnead	Grip
Mark Pickens	Grip (Alameda Crew)
Jaruk Thatanarm (Tul)	Key Grip
Christopher Byers	Key Grip/Gaffer (Alameda Crew)
Sayan Ponploy	Key Rig
Mana Namvijit	Key Rig
Samak Ruenpetch	Key Rig
Lena Herzog	Still Photographer
Supachayawat Jiracherdnapaporn	Swing Gang
Wallop Chuachulak (Tol)	Swing Gang
Pornthep Chuenchulak	Swing Gang
Anthony Starr (Skip)	Transportation Coordinator (Alameda Crew)
Noppadol Jatukamnon (Jeab)	Transport Manager
Panupong Dangdej (October)	Military Coordinator
Supapong Wongsang (Lah)	Animal Wrangler
Film Production - Unit:
Harry Knapp	Second Unit Director (Thailand)
Jirasak Wongsaroj (Jirasak Wongsaroj)	Unit Manager, Unit Manager 2nd Unit (Thailand)
Jonathan Way	Unit Production Manager (Alameda Crew)
Amornwitz Em-Eam	Assistant Unit Manager
Film Production - Construction/Set:
Prasant Phetpong (Jeed)	Construction Manager
Kevin Chisnall	Head Armorer
Chring Teeko	Armorer
Pramoth Assakul	Armorer
Pornrisaln Ratanatham	Armorer
Surachet Sutisai	Armorer
Teera Tajandee	Armorer
Sanoh Noomkamnerd	Head Carpenter
Preeda Junsomdee	Carpenter
Wichien Somsuabsin (Dong)	Carpenter
Somwong Torchuer	Carpenter
Suwicha Numkumnerd	Carpenter
Wichet Thinmala (Chet)	Carpenter
Sutan Kawinram	Carpenter
Nimitr Sornsuebsilp	Carpenter
Piyanit Anthawat (Nok)	Set Production Assistant
Sakarin Petchdee (Beer)	Property Master
Michael Stephenson	Property Master (Alameda Crew)
Somchai Chinsirikul (Au)	Buyer
Film Production - Lighting/Electrical:
Prachom Syksamran (Tom)	Head Electrician
Surasak Sriumka (Rak)	Electrician
Somchai Mittjarem (Boy)	Electrician
Kronarat Watanakarunyap (Korn)	Electrician
Payu Jansri (Yu)	Electrician
Thanayuth Muhammad (Yut)	Electrician
Peerapol Boonruangkao	Electrician
Rungchai Yingsombat (Num)	Electrician
Prawit Hinkvang	Electrician
Daecha Chainok	Rig Man
Suthep Chubsri	Rigging Supervisor
Komson Phumai	Rigging Coordinator
Apinan Kabklangdon	Rig Builder
Amnaj Kamjadpai	Rig Builder
Manachai Chutom	Rig Man
Pradit Seleum	Rig Man
Apichart Kladklawdee	Rig Man
Pongnaret Seleum	Rig Man
Somkid Kumsawat	Rig Man
Withaya Seleum	Rig Man
Pongsak Kaewmookda	Rig Man
Manachai Chuthom	Rig Man
Patkasem Kijsanglong	Rig Man
Film Production - Arial:
Kiattipoom Saengthi	Wing Commander (Royal Thai Air Force, Sqdn. 203, Wing 2, Lopburi)
Boonchai Dananuphan	Wing Commander (Royal Thai Air Force, Sqdn. 203, Wing 2, Lopburi)
Kialpoom Sangdhi	Wing Commander (Royal Thai Air Force, Sqdn. 203, Wing 2, Lopburi)
Kanchanok Hunhaboon	Group Captain (Thai Air Force, Wing 53, Ao Manao)
Siripong Lowsuwan	Major (Thai Air Force, Wing 53, Ao Manao)
Konglar Toomphu	Commander (Royal Thai Navy)
Tanate Teerachaitunyasak	Captain (Royal Thai Navy)
Post Production:
Matt Adler	Loop Group Actor
Baoan Coleman	Loop Group Actor
April Tan	Loop Group Actor
Moosie Drier	Loop Group Actor
Steve Alterman	Loop Group Actor
Kathleen Largay	Film Recordist
Jan Yarbrough	Supervising Digital Intermediate Colorist
Mark Dinicola	Color Assist
Christopher Grandell	Digital Compositor (Cinemapixel)
Shannon Noble	Digital Compositor (Cinemapixel)
Kristin Johnson	Digital Compositor (Cinemapixel)
Location Manager:
Aud Kardsanikam (Oody)	Location Manager
Location Assistant:
Suwicom Yararit (Eddy)	Location Assistant
Kampanart Chantasirisarn	Location Assistant
Ron Don	Location Assistant
Misc. Crew:
Herbert Golder	Archival Footage
Nathan S Lewis	Personal Assistant (To Steve Zahn)
Phongphan Sitti (May)	Transport Assistant
Akapong Wongsoonthorn (Toa)	Transport Assistant
Jamie Bukowski	Assistant (To Klaus Badelt)
Saros Sabcharoen	Catering Manager
Robert D. Bailey	Digital Intermediate Consultant
Kevin Chaja	Data Management
Karina Desin	Data Management
Mike Becker	Software Engineer
Sompot Chitgasompongse	Crowd Organizer
Tanapol Chuksrida	Crowd Organizer
Glen P Jeep	Crowd Organizer
Taweerat Chokechaipermpoonpol	Crowd Organizer
Veerapong Saradhuldthat (Golf)	Water And Waste Manager

Nominated for the 2007 Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male (Steve Zahn).

Expanded Release in United States July 13, 2007

Released in United States July 4, 2007

Released in United States November 20, 2007

Released in United States on Video/DVD November 20, 2007

Released in United States Summer July 4, 2007

Based on Werner Herzog's documentary "Little Dieter Needs to Fly" (Germany/1997).

Hans Zimmer previously attached to produce through his company Media Ventures.

Shown at London Film Festival (Film on the Square) October 17-November 1, 2007.

Shown at Rotterdam International Film Festival (Maestros: Kings & Aces) January 24-February 4, 2007.

Shown at Toronto International Film Festival (Masters) September 7-16, 2006.

35mm

color

dialogue English and Vietnamese

rtg MPAA PG-13: some sequences of intense war violence and torture.

Released in United States July 4, 2007 (New York City and Los Angeles)

Released in United States Summer July 4, 2007

Expanded Release in United States July 13, 2007

Released in United States November 20, 2007

Released in United States on Video/DVD November 20, 2007