The Place of the Dead (TV 1997)

A group of soldiers on a British Army expedition attempt to navigate an unexplored Malaysian gully. So inaccessible is the area, that they must ascend the highest mountain in Southeast Asia... See full summary »

Director:

Suri Krishnamma

Writer:

Jeff Pope

Stars:

Greg Wise, Simon Dutton, Dougray Scott

Cast

Cast overview:
Greg Wise	...	Corporal Hugh Brittan
Simon Dutton	...	Lt Colonel Robert Neill
Dougray Scott	...	Lance Corporal Richard Mayfield
John McArdle	...	Major Ron Foster
Ralph Brown	...	Sgt Bob Mann
David Nellist	...	Lance Corporal Steve Page
Phil McKee	...	Lance Corporal Peter Shearer
Craig Shai Hee	...	Lance Corporal Yiu Keung 'Kevin' Cheung
Augustine Lau	...	Private Wai Keung
Raymond Ong	...	Private Lam Wai Kee
Timothy West	...	Chairman of the Inquiry
Anna Bolt	...	Kathryn
John Alansu	...	Park Ranger
Sue Collie	...	Kathryn's Mother
Dane Carson	...	Major Carlsen

Storyline

A group of soldiers on a British Army expedition attempt to navigate an unexplored Malaysian gully. So inaccessible is the area, that they must ascend the highest mountain in Southeast Asia just to reach the entrance. The initial climb proves to be difficult for some of the party. Against strong objections, they are allowed to catch up and rest, rather than being turned back. Things don't improve the next day, however. With rations going more quickly than expected and time running out, a decision must be made. Should the lead group wait even longer and risk the entire mission, or save time by scouting the location ahead of them? Descending over "The Point Of No Return" could split the team permanently. Who makes the call?

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Plot Keywords:

expedition | mountain | head injury | hotel | exploration | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Thriller

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Details

Country:

UK Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 January 1997 (UK)

Also Known As:

Expedition in die Geisterschlucht

Filming Locations:

Mount Kinabalu National Park, Borneo, Malaysia

Company Credits

Production Co:

London Weekend Television (LWT), Queensland Government, Film Queensland

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min 95 min (edited)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

[first lines]
Chairman of the Inquiry: [bangs gavel] Bring them in, Private.
Private: Sir!
[soldiers enter]
Chairman of the Inquiry: Thank you gentlemen. I think we can now begin.
[Neill approaches]
Chairman of the Inquiry: Pick up the Bible and read aloud the oath.
LCpl. Robert Neill: I swear that the evidence I shall give before this court will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

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Connections

Referenced in Network First: Return to the Place of the Dead (1997)

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Soundtracks

"A Room Full Of Nothing"
Written by Terry Hall and Damon Albarn
Performed by Terry Hall
Published by EMI Music Publishers and MCA Music

User Reviews

Mountain Climb Gone Bad

The Place Of The Dead is based on a true story about a group of British soldiers along with three Hong Kong soldiers who in 1994 go on an expedition to attempt to climb Mt. Kinabalu in S.E. Asia and then go Low's Gully in Malaysia, a place where others have tried and failed.

Everything was planned, rations doubled up, and off they go. Lt. Colonel Robert Neill(played wonderfully by Simon Dutton) wants everyone call each other by their first names, he wants to make it a more "casual" environment and treat each other like buddies.

Things go wrong, food is running out, miscommunication,insubordination, some of the men are beginning to think Neill is crazy and obsessed with the expedition.

Neill and Mayfield(a great portrayal by Dougray Scott)lock horns. They decide to split into two groups and Neill tells Mayfield to wait for him no matter what. Mayfield said he'll wait until morning. That's not what Neill told him.

When the groups split up, Mayfield's men wait for Neill's team for a while. He did not listen to his superior's orders. He leaves a note and continues on with his men. When Neill's team finally climbs down, they find the note and know they are one their own, one of Neill's men is very weak and on the verge of death.

Great acting by Simon Dutton, Dougray Scott, Dane Carson, and Greg Wise.