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Deathwatch [2002]
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Director Michael J Bassett effectively wracks the tension, aided greatly by a wonderfully decayed set design and story, which may meander, but builds to a chillingly surreal finale. Bell is given strong support from Matthew Rhys and a psychotic Andy Serkis, while Bassett has a fine eye for lighting and composition, as well as the ability to deliver some horrifically effective set-pieces. Taking itself much more seriously than its comparable contemporary, Dog Soldiers (2002), Deathwatch was shamefully overlooked in the cinemas but is surely a future cult classic just awaiting discovery. On the DVD:Deathwatch is presented anamorphically enhanced at 2.35-1, and bar some compression artifacting in a few scenes looks fine. Likewise the Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is both atmospheric and powerful. The feature includes optional subtitles for hard of hearing. Extras begin with 15 minutes of interviews with six main cast members and Michael J Bassett. Also included are 14 minutes of filming footage and 16 minutes of alternate/extended/deleted scenes with text explanations as to why the material was changed or cut. There are three commentaries, with writer/director Bassett giving a serious account of realising his debut feature, then joining Jamie Bell and Lawrence Fox on a second commentary for more light hearted reflections. Finally Andy Serkis demonstrates his commitment to the project with an enjoyable reminiscence of his own. --Gary S Dalkin
RRP: £17.99
Our Price: £1.41 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
A small group of English soldiers find themselves in a labyrinth of abandoned German trenches in Deathwatch, a reworking of the classic British supernatural horror tale as a redemptive allegory amid the wider horror of the Great War. The very earth has had its fill of blood and this lost company may already be in hell: imagine the BBC TV film All the Kings Men (1999) crossed with Cube (1997), as realised by a young Ridley Scott. Only Charlie Shakespeare, an impressive Jamie Bell, is sufficiently innocent to realise the evil of the trenches is turning comrade against comrade, resulting in the gradually escalating carnage.
A horror or a horrible movie ?
Review date: 2008-11-15 Rating: 2 out of 10
The idea was brilliant, but the movie is ill-fated: slow, boring, with "low-cost" cast and scenes. More a psycological drama than a action thriller. Or, perhaps, the "unfortunate" effort of the director to simbolize the horrors of war.
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Reviews
Competent
Review date: 2007-07-13 Rating: 6 out of 10
There's really nothing new about this story as it uses ideas from plenty of other horror stories of something whittling down a group of people isolated from help, and the characters have been drawn straight from central casting, particularly the company psycho and the rod up his bum officer though there's also religious guy, dying guy, doing me duty sergeant, hard bitten sniper guy and others you'll recognise from many another war film.
There's little in the way of special effects, but what there is works well enough though most of the tension comes from atmosphere.
There's plenty of mud, rain, rats and body parts to give that 'authentic' trench feel. I was left wondering how come everyone managed to keep clean shaven with mud free faces and clothing. They were also pretty cavalier with their lamps and matches and I can't believe that anyone who'd been in France for any length of time would have dared show an open light.
The end is very predictable, but inevitable given what's gone before.
Good idea poorly executed
Review date: 2006-05-05 Rating: 4 out of 10
This film takes a nice idea, combines it with some really first rate acting, some pretty good directing and cinematography, and creates a poor film, thanks to a predictable plot, poor script, overt stereotyped characters and glaring anachronisms.
The film is saved by the actors' skill at turning comic-book level Tommy, Jock and ineffectual Officer charcater types into nearly real people. However, you cannot shine an inherently matt substance, and the film suffers as a result.
This film is also unduly hampered by a lack of attention to historical detail, resulting in a squad of British infantry looking like a bunch of ACF cadets, kitted out in a bizarre mixture of Second World War equipment, and using Vietnam/Iraq era military language.
For such a good idea, it was a real disappointment.
Suprisingly good
Review date: 2006-03-03 Rating: 8 out of 10
when i first saw this film i thought it wouldn't be that great but it is a really good film. There plenty of horror and plenty of suspence but a lack of special effects but this movie gets away with it. The films about a squad of english troops who come across what seems an abandoned trench but to discover 1 german troop. The events that follow will test every man in that squad where for once the nice guy comes first (survives).
Watch Deathwatch :)
Review date: 2005-03-17 Rating: 8 out of 10
This film is about a supernatural evil but mainly about the evil in humankind. It's as if all the bloodshed and horror of the war has manifested itself into... hmm, I don't know how to explain it.
I really like Deathwatch. The beginning is slow-ish, but as the story goes on it's clear that the soldiers are getting into something far more dangerous than the fighting they had left behind...
The only thing that let it down *IMHO* was the swearing throughout the film, I mean did they even have those swear words in those days? Anyway...
There aren't any named horrors or CGI wossits to mention of, except for a rather nasty bit involving barbed wire.
Jamie Bell (Billy Elliot) was superb in his role of Shakespeare, as were all the other actors. Especially that crazy dude (I've forgotten the actor's name) you could tell he enjoyed playing a real tough man.
I think the reason why people have given this film a poor rating is because it's meaning is hard to understand, and the ending is a little confusing. Though when you think about it becomes clearer, and what had happened to the men is... well I won't tell you that. You'll have to see it for yourself :P
4 stars. Give it a chance, it really is a good film.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Rúaidhrí Conroy
Mike Downey
Laurence Fox
Roman Horak
Jamie Bell
Creators:
Jamie Bell (Primary Contributor)
Rúaidhrí Conroy (Primary Contributor)
Mike Downey (Producer)
Michael J. Bassett (Writer)
Caroline Hewitt (Producer)
Dan Maag (Producer)
Frank Hübner (Producer)
Jan Fantl (Producer)
Michael Bischoff (Producer)
Director(s):
Recording label: Pathe Distribution
Manufacturer: Pathe Distribution
EAN: 5060002831328
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2003-06-16
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 95 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2002
Language: English (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired)
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: French (Original Language)
Language: German (Original Language)