Land of the Blind (2006)

A soldier recounts his relationship with a famous political prisoner attempting to overthrow their country's authoritarian government.

Director:

Robert Edwards

Writer:

Robert Edwards

Stars:

Ralph Fiennes, Donald Sutherland, Tom Hollander

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ralph Fiennes	...	Joe
Donald Sutherland	...	Thorne
Tom Hollander	...	Maximilian II
Lara Flynn Boyle	...	First Lady
Miranda Raison	...	Daisy
Marc Warren	...	Pool
Ron Cook	...	Doc
Robert Daws	...	Jones
Laura Fraser	...	Madeleine
Jonathan Hyde	...	Smith
Camilla Rutherford	...	Tania
Don Warrington	...	First Sergeant
Nigel Whitmey	...	Anchorman
Leigh Zimmerman	...	Anchorwoman
Mackenzie Crook	...	Editor

Storyline

A political drama about terrorism, revolution, and the power of memory. In an unnamed place and time, an idealistic soldier named Joe strikes up an illicit friendship with a political prisoner named Thorne, who eventually recruits him into a bloody coup d'etat. But in the post-revolutionary world, what Thorne asks of Joe leads the two men into bitter conflict, spiraling downward into madness until Joe's co-conspirators conclude that they must erase him from history.

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Plot Keywords:

prisoner | revolution | terrorism | government | execution | 

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, language and some sexual content/nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Official soundtrack site

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 October 2007 (Portugal)

Also Known As:

Confesión bajo juramento

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$18,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Avnet/Kerner Productions, Bauer Martinez Studios, Brooklyn Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min 110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title is taken from the saying "In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is King".

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Quotes

[first lines]
Anchorwoman: So many fond memories of Maximilian the First on the tenth anniversary of our glorious leader's death.
Anchorman: Many of course doubted that his son and heir, Maximilian II, could live up to the example of his charismatic father. But the man affectionately called Junior has valiantly continued against the pesky rebellion, led by the playwright turned terrorist, John Thorne.
Anchorwoman: Once derided as the playboy Prince more interested in the movie business, the President-for-life announced today that ...
[...]

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Connections

References Planet of the Apes (1968)

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Soundtracks

"E Flat Trio 2nd Movement"
Written by Franz Schubert

User Reviews

Can you spot all the totalitarian regimes?

This is a grim tale about how totalitarian regimes try to ban the free spirit out of the minds of their citizens. Performances by Ralph Fiennes, as the warden sympathetic to the cause, and Donald Sutherland, as the imprisoned rebel leader, are both splendid. I liked the satirical approach to the subject. Despite its harsh and eerie subject

• the cycle of violence concerning revolutions and contra-revolutions -

it is also very funny movie on a darker level. It's an absolute blast to spot the existing dictatorial regimes they mixed up to create the most horrible regime imaginable.

Another great movie getting a mediocre score. It's a shame. Though I do understand that this is not the material for your average escapism of everyday life. This grim and violent tale is perhaps only interesting for those with an interest in modern history.