Severance (2006)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Christopher Smith

Writers:

James Moran (screenplay) and
Christopher Smith (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

25 August 2006 (Ireland)

Genre:

Comedy | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Another bloody office outing.

Plot:

A team-building weekend in the mountains of Eastern Europe goes horribly wrong for the sales division...

Plot Keywords:

Team Building | Eastern Europe | Pie | Bitten In The Neck | Lodge

Awards:

4 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Toby Stephens	...	Harris
Claudie Blakley	...	Jill
Andy Nyman	...	Gordon
Babou Ceesay	...	Billy
Tim McInnerny	...	Richard
Laura Harris	...	Maggie
Danny Dyer	...	Steve
David Gilliam	...	George
Juli Drajkó	...	Olga
Judit Viktor	...	Nadia
Sándor Boros	...	Coach Driver
Levente Törköly	...	Lodge Killer
János Oláh	...	Flamethrower Killer
Attila Ferencz	...	Head-squish Killer
Bela Kasi	...	Headbutt Killer

Also Known As:

P45 (UK) (working title)
Severance - Ein blutiger Betriebsausflug (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong bloody violence, language, drug content and some sexuality/nudity.

Runtime:

96 min | Canada:90 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

UK | Germany

Language:

English | Hungarian | Russian

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX

Certification:

UK:15 | Ireland:18 | Switzerland:18 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:18 (canton of Vaud) | Singapore:NC-16 | Germany:18 | France:-12 (with warning) | Malaysia:(Banned) | USA:R | Finland:K-18 | Argentina:18 | Norway:18 | Portugal:M/16 | Italy:VM18 | South Korea:18 | Australia:MA | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | New Zealand:R16 | Netherlands:16 | Italy:VM14 (DVD)

Filming Locations:

Hungary

Company:

Dan Films

Trivia:

Released in Spain as a double feature with Black Sheep (2006/I)

Goofs:

Continuity: When the land-mine that Richard is stepping from explodes you can clearly see that the explosion of it takes place in a completely different place in the forest (tree on the left side of the screen which wasn't there before, the soldiers balancing over the horizontal-tree are completely gone together with the tree from the screen, as well already before the explosion takes place).

Quotes:

Flamethrower Killer: [yelling at Jill in Hungarian than voice turns sarcastic] Palisade.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Goodbye Solo (2008)

Soundtrack:

Itchycoo Park

Clever, witty and scary!

I recently saw this film premiere in Manchester as part of the Sky Festival and I have to say, I was impressed. I went in expecting nothing much, having read the comments and other info on IMDb before I went. However, these do not do this film justice.

It was witty, clever, well written but managed to balance this perfectly with it's horror elements. The idea behind the story is seemingly unique within cinema, and therefore was interesting and kept the viewer gripped. The acting was of a high standard in particular, Andy Nyman. I would say that Danny Dyer's role was well-played etc etc, but I met him afterwards, (and there was also a Q+A session) and he was rather obnoxious, I didn't like him (think Moff from Human Traffic... that wasn't method acting).

As for the direction, it is very commendable, in fact, the director Chris Smith, held a Q+A after the film and he definitely knew what he was talking about, as a big horror fan/geek, that was refreshing to see, particularly since none of his other films have approached this genre with any gusto. The film is reminiscent of Calvaire (the ordeal) and you can definitely see this in the direction - (he did say that Calvaire was one of his favourite films when I questioned him about the similarities).

Overall the film is definitely worth your hard earned £6. A wonderful example of GOOD contemporary British cinema, something which is difficult to find these days. However, I can't help wondering whether or not it's all an allegory to British rave culture...?!?!