More About Rescue Dawn

My post last week about the new film “Rescue Dawn” focused on the resilience and determination to survive an ordeal. POW Paul Galanti offered some insight, and POW Mike Benge – who suffered many of the same conditions as the movie’s main character, Dieter Dengler – reviewed the film.

In my comments, I spoke to “the escapism of the 1973 Paris Accords, any still alive in Laotian communist hands were abandoned,” and provided some links.

Both Galanti and Benge, however -- although the focus of the post was on Dengler’s survival and the characteristics that help survival -- bring my attention to a critique of the film by a family member of one – of many -- who didn’t survive.

According to this critique of the film, “These liberties may be the stock in trade of Hollywood but they are an insult to the brave POW’s and their families.” Dengler’s role is enlarged in the film, and the actions and bravery of other POW’s lessened. The facts provided by the family member are important to accuracy and understanding.

Neither I, nor Galanti or Benge, intended to put the bravery and actions of other POW’s, including those many MIA’s perhaps even braver and more sacrificing, in any doubt.