So, as days turn into weeks, and weeks into months, Dengler turns his hopes to a far-fetched escape plan that he and the other inmates prepare for daily. Relying on tricks he acquired as a tool-and-die worker in Germany, Dengler and the other POW's succeed in their escape and each goes their own way, with exception to Dengler and Duane, who partner up in their trial through the jungle.

Herzog had earlier made a documentary about Dengler, his superb Little Dieter Needs to Fly, showing the sort of commitment and intensity that would be required not only to endure a POW camp, but to be the only person to emerge from that hell-hole unscathed.

Like the other films in his repertoire - Aguirre, the Wrath of God, Fitzcarraldo, Lessons of Darkness - Herzog has crated a film out of atmosphere and tone, rather than pure story. But it's a visually-stimulating real world take on Dieter Dengler's mission. And then there's Bale, who delivers a remarkable lead performance.