Van Diemen's Land (2009)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Jonathan auf der Heide

Writers:

Jonathan auf der Heide (screenplay) and
Oscar Redding (screenplay)

Release Date:

24 September 2009 (Australia)

Genre:

Thriller

Tagline:

Hunger is a strange silence.

Plot:

The true story of Alexander Pearce, Australia's most notorious convict. In 1822, Pearce and seven fellow convicts escaped from Macquarie Harbour...

Plot Keywords:

Convict | Murder | Escape | Cannibalism | Based On True Story

Cast

Oscar Redding	...	Alexander Pearce
Arthur Angel	...	Robert Greenhill
Paul Ashcroft	...	Matthew Travers
Mark Leonard Winter	...	Alexander Dalton
Torquil Neilson	...	John Mathers
Greg Stone	...	William Kennerly
John Francis Howard	...	Little Brown
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jonathan auf der Heide	...	Soldier in boat
Jason Glover	...	Lieutenant Cuthbertson
Adrian Mulraney	...	Logan
Ben Plazzer	...	Soldier in boat
Matt Wilson	...	Duty Soldier
Tom Wright	...	Thomas Bodenham

Also Known As:

Hell's Gates (Australia) (working title)

Runtime:

Australia:104 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English | Irish Gaelic

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:MA (2009)

Filming Locations:

Great Otway National Park, Victoria, Australia

Company:

Noise & Light

Movie Connections:

Follows Hell's Gates (2008)

Slow, but effective

This is based on a true story and although I'm not to fond when movies come along with tags like that, I really liked this one. It is slow moving though and I had a bit of trouble following the movie after 20 minutes. Actually I should say, I didn't know where it was moving to ... but this is a good thing!

So as you can imagine, I didn't know the true story behind this movie and if you can, don't read anything the movie or it's origin and just watch it to be surprised. Be prepared though, because not only is it slow moving, there isn't happening that much during the course of the movie. But besides being a weak point (for some), it also can be the highlight for others! I think the movie, wouldn't have worked, if it had been spiced up. I like how it creeps up on you ... So if you haven't watched it yet, either be warned or watch it to be "thrilled" (depending on what you like in a movie).