Dieter!

This is coolbert:

Here with a movie review.

“The best preparation for being a soldier is poverty!” - - Napoleon.

The movie being reviewed is “Little Dieter Needs to Fly”

The story of Dieter Dengler, told in the first person. Only captured American pilot from the Vietnam War to escape from a communist prison camp and survive.

A documentary movie by the world-famous German movie director Werner Herzog.

Herzog is one of the most prominent and renowned directors of the modern time. Somewhat unique in that half of his works are of the documentary style. As is with “Little Dieter”.

"His [Herzog] films often feature heroes with impossible dreams or people with unique talents in obscure fields."

THIS IS A MUST SEE MOVIE!! Very well done, with interesting eclectic music score, to include Tuvan throat singers [throat singers give the movie an exotic Oriental flair!!].

Dengler, a naval aviator, WAS SHOT DOWN ON HIS FIRST COMBAT MISSION! Held captive first by the Pathet Lao and then the North Vietnamese/Viet Cong.

Held captive under barbaric and inhuman conditions. Those Senators such as Dick Durbin who want to know what REAL mistreatment of prisoners and torture is should watch this movie!! Those villainous jihadis being held at Gitmo have to endure a “NOTHING” compared to what Dengler and his compatriots had to put up with!!

[continuous confinement with handcuffs and blocks, starvation, wallowing in your own filth, exposure to the elements, etc.]

Dengler and six other prisoners did manage a prison breakout and attempted to flee to Thailand. Of the seven, ONLY Dengler made it to safety. I do recall the stir this caused in the media when Dengler was repatriated.

EVERYTHING IN THE EARLY LIFE OF DIETER DENGLER SEEMED TO PREPARE HIM FOR THE ORDEAL HE HAD TO SUFFER!!

Dengler and Herzog both stress this point.

Dengler grew up in Germany during the post-war [WW2] period. A period where great privation was the rule. Hunger, cold, lack of EVERYTHING was the status of the common person.

While apprenticed as a blacksmith, Dengler would receive, DAILY, a hard punch in the face from his master, FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON!! Getting hit was not an uncommon experience for Dieter.

Dieter did enjoy a successful life post-Vietnam. Continued to fly as a test pilot and then as an airline skipper. Died a premature death just recently [2001] from ALS.

Rent this movie and see it. The more melodramatic version is now on the silver screen too. "Rescue Dawn", starring Christian Bales as Dieter.

coolbert.