THE times they are a-changin' as mordant German director Werner Herzog makes a hopeful and upbeat film. Sort of.

Set in 1965 in the early days of US involvement in Vietnam, Navy pilot Dieter Dengler is shot down on a black ops mission over Laos. Captured and taken to a prison camp with other servicemen, he is intent on escaping. But to where?

Galvanising the mentally-ravaged prisoners, he breaks out but then has to content with the physical and mental rigours of surviving the jungle. There are several shocks, some humour and a series of apposite observations on American military action in the modern world, as well as a fine turn from Bale in the main role.