Deathwatch (2002) Reviews

• Very Good Horror Story

  dbborroughs2004-11-01

  Set in the trenches of the First World War this is the first film I've seen set during that time that got the sense of place right. Its the got the entombed bodies in the ground, in the walls, and everywhere you look right. It is a bleak existence that the soldiers take almost matter of factly. The plot has a group of British soldiers getting lost during an attack and finding a German trench. The Germans are more concerned with something in the trench to pay the Brits any mind and try to send them away. All but one of the Germans are shot, but because of a language problem he can't tell them whats is lurking close by. Beautifully shot, excellently acted this is a very good little horror film. No, its not the be all and end all of horror films but its a damn good little thriller that rises about the typical thanks to its setting and the cast. This is a film worth putting a bit of effort into finding. I doubt that you'll hate it if you find it, at the very least you'll come away liking it. 8 out of 10.

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• Okay, I appear to be the only one to have understood this movie...

  dreamdayz2004-01-20

  I loved this movie, so I'm a little angry about everyone trashing it without understanding it. For anyone who has just watched it and is wondering, what the f*** I invite you to look at the tagline. "Deliver them from evil." What does that suggest to you? Could it have religious significance? What do the cast say of what is stalking them? "Its Death!" Yes. The film is in fact a bloody good horror film set in WWI but it is also a religious tale in as much as the trench is Purgatory and every man jack of that squad is already dead. I finished watching this movie and thought to myself "Damn that's clever!" I mean, not to spoil the film for anyone, but it ends with all but one of the group sat around a fire in the deepest darkest depths while the star runs away from them and climbs up into the light and the mist. If there this were to be a clearer heaven and hell metaphor they'd have to hammer it into your head with a shovel. As to the dark eyed German soldier calmly waiting for the next group of unfortunates to judge... give him a cowl and a sycthe somebody? Enjoy this for the brilliant gore-fest ghost story it is with swarms of rats, living barb wire, and sheer human brutality. But look also to the story beneath the story. The evil they are to be delivered from is inside of them.

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  Slice of LIfe2002-12-01

  "Welcome to hell," are the eerily prophetic words, complete with shells, atmospheric all-is-not-right music and the groans of dying men, a hint of what's to come. After the battle, out of the fog and into a German trench, the men of Y-company discover that's exactly where they've landed. First of all, the place is deserted. And strewn with (mutilated) corpses of German soldiers. All dead. Except one (Torben Liebrecht), who warns them desperately that there is "quelque chose de mal" in that place, and to get out as soon as they can. Naturally, they all ignore him, except for Shakespeare (Jamie Bell). Soon, it proves true when the men start turning against each other, or getting sucked into the earth with barbed wire, or tying each other up à-la-crucifixion. Well. After two years of watching this in the making, it hasn't disappointed (thank you, Mr, Bassett). Great set-up, with the rain, the rats, trenches and mud to make Spielberg weep with envy. While the script could use some work ("what's the matter with this place? What's happening?" asks one -rhetorically?), the acting keeps the characters from becoming walking clichés, especially Jamie Bell as the unwelcome greenhorn, or Hugo Speer as the duty-bound Sgt. Tate, to name a few. The suspense was average and wasn't so scary that there'd be lost sleep over it, nor was it anything over-original. But it's a great piece of ensemble casting (i'd pay the admission again to see Hugh O'Conor say the f-word), cool FX and steady directing make it a good viewing.

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• Atmospheric low budget horror.

  stormruston2006-04-05

  This was one heck of a good movie, I had read nothing about it and bought it based on the box artwork. This is a WW1 horror movie that takes place mostly in a set of "German trenches" This movie rarely nailed down the muck and horror of trench warfare in my mind. It is a creepy horrible looking place. The acting is very good and rarely over the top, and the movie maintains a sense of tension and controlled panic from beginning until the climax, where it goes into full panic and finally horrified understanding. The special effect are not too bad to pretty darn good,it has moments of gore too. This is a very worthwhile ghost story that should keep you on the edge of your seat, I recommend it as a top notch B movie.

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• Nice terror film upon a creepy confrontation in trenches during WWI

  ma-cortes2004-07-23

  The movie deals with an English soldiers group in First Great War ( 1914 to 1918 ). Perhaps it happens in Verdun , Tannenberg or Marne battle , the film is set on the trenches from one of them . At the squadron appears an evil which murders one by one the members of the team. It's an interesting movie , from the beginning until the end the frightening and scary action is unstoppable. The flick has an eerie atmosphere , it is in gaudy color , enhanced by the mud of trenches and with lights and shades that originates a ghostly setting . Set design is excellent , the movie is enough atmospheric , the dark sludge , the dirtiness and filthiness with the muddy trenches are very well designed . Runtime is adjusted , approx. one hundred minutes , but is a little bit boring because of it occurs limited adventures . However it is a lot exciting , amazing and entertaining. In the film there are suspense , horror, drama , tension , shootouts , frenetic action and a little bit of gore. Everybody actors are pretty well but specially there stands out Jamie Bell , Andy Serkis ( Gollun in The Lord of the rings ) , Hugo Speer and Mathew Rhys . The movie will appeal to the suspense , terror buffs and emotion lovers. Rating 6,5/10 . Good and well worth watching .

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