10 Massively Underrated War Movie Performances
1. Christian Bale As Dieter Dengler - Rescue Dawn
Christian Bale possesses one of the most formidable résumés in modern Hollywood. The lauded actor is particularly recognised for his stunning versatility; Bale utterly throws himself into his roles, undergoing shocking physical transformations for his bows in the likes of The Machinist and Vice.
Bale's notoriously underappreciated bow in 2006's Rescue Dawn stands as a cinematic testament to this state of affairs. Taking on the role of real-life Vietnam War POW Dieter Dengler, Bale's dedication to his craft within Werner Herzog's offering is breathtaking.
Losing a significant amount of weight to lend authenticity to his portrayal of the emaciated Dengler, Bale produces a raw and emotionally charged performance of the highest calibre. The star of The Dark Knight trilogy is shockingly convincing, imbuing his charge with mesmerising realism whether he is in the darkest pit of despair or demonstrating the resilience that ultimately led to his escape.
Despite receiving widespread acclaim, Rescue Dawn was a box-office bomb. Bale's stunning performance was somehow completely overlooked by the critics, failing to garner a single major accolade during an awards season dominated by entries such as The Departed and Pan's Labyrinth.