Deathwatch (2002)

In the middle of World War I, nine British soldiers caught behind enemy lines seek refuge in a complex network of German trenches. What they soon discover is that they aren't alone - and it isn't a German soldier that's hunting them down.

Director:

Michael J. Bassett

Writer:

Michael J. Bassett

Stars:

Jamie Bell, Rúaidhrí Conroy, Mike Downey

1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jamie Bell	...	Pfc. Charlie Shakespeare
Rúaidhrí Conroy	...	Pvt. Colin Chevasse (as Ruaidhri Conroy)
Mike Downey	...	Martin Plummer
Laurence Fox	...	Capt. Bramwell Jennings
Roman Horák	...	German soldier (as Roman Horak)
Dean Lennox Kelly	...	Pvt. Willie McNess
Torben Liebrecht	...	Friedrich
Kris Marshall	...	Pvt. Barry Starinski
Hans Matheson	...	Pvt. Jack Hawkstone
Hugh O'Conor	...	Anthony Bradford
Matthew Rhys	...	Cpl. Doc Fairweather
Andy Serkis	...	Pvt. Thomas Quinn
Hugo Speer	...	Sgt. David Tate
Pavel Tesar	...	Mudman

Storyline

In 1917, in the Western front, a group of survivors of the British Company Y reach the most forward German trench in a foggy night. They capture a German soldier that advises that evil is in the trench, forcing the soldiers to kill each other, and asks them to leave the place. Only the private Charlie Shakespeare listens and helps the prisoner, while a supernatural force scares and makes the soldiers insane.

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Plot Keywords:

soldier | german | trench | german soldier | british soldier | 

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Taglines:

Deliver them from evil

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | War | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence, language and brief sexuality

Details

Country:

UK Germany

Language:

English French German

Release Date:

6 December 2002 (UK)

Also Known As:

No Man's Land

Filming Locations:

Benesov, Czech Republic

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$208,740 (Hong Kong) (8 November 2002)

Company Credits

Production Co:

ApolloMedia Distribution, Bavaria Film, F.A.M.E. Film & Music Entertainment AG

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jamie Bell originally whistled "It's a Long Way to Tipperary," but the rights to this particular song proved to be too expansive so it was changed to "Silent Night, Holy Night" in post-production.

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Goofs

Near the beginning of the film, the company are moving through what they believe to be a gas cloud. They are wearing the "phenate helmet" type of respirator, which was rushed into service in 1915 and was used for only a few months. By 1917 the British Army was equipped with the classic Small Box type respirator, and in fact several of the characters can be seen wearing the canvas satchel in which Small Box respirators were carried. Also, by 1917, Mustard gas was in extensive use by both sides, and in the event of a gas attack troops would have donned rubberised Gas Capes as protection from blistering agents.

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Quotes

Pvt. Barry Starinski: Oh, this fuckin' rain!

User Reviews

Atmospheric low budget horror.

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.