The War Zone (1999)

An alienated teenager, saddened that he has moved away from London, must find a way to deal with a dark family secret.

Director:

Tim Roth

Writers:

Alexander Stuart (novel), Alexander Stuart (screenplay)

Stars:

Ray Winstone, Annabelle Apsion, Kate Ashfield

9 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Annabelle Apsion	...	Nurse
Kate Ashfield	...	Lucy
Lara Belmont	...	Jessie
Freddie Cunliffe	...	Tom
Colin Farrell	...	Nick (as Colin J Farrell)
Aisling O'Sullivan	...	Carol
Tilda Swinton	...	Mum
Megan Thorp	...	Baby Alice
Kim Wall	...	Barman
Ray Winstone	...	Dad

Storyline

Suddenly, the moody 15-year-old, Tom, and his 18-year-old sister, Jessie, find themselves relocated from the hustle and bustle of urban London to the sullen silence of wind-swept rural Devon, at a little but neat cottage in the middle of nowhere. Dad is caring and kind, and very much in love with mum who has just given birth; however, an accidental glimpse of a disturbing and well-hidden secret in the family will bring Tom face-to-face with shock, denial, and ultimately, rage. What mystery could be so appalling that threatens to bring everyone in the family to their knees?

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Plot Keywords:

father daughter incest | nude photograph | male full frontal nudity | male pubic hair | family secret | 

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Taglines:

When the worst of men hides in a family with no history.

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexual content, some involving molestation, and for nudity, language and a scene of violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to director Tim Roth, the bunker scene was so difficult to film that the sound man almost ruined a take by crying into his microphone. Ray Winstone also found acting the scene upsetting and nearly left the production because of it.

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Quotes

Tom: I saw you.
Jessie: Saw me what?
Tom: In the bath...
Jessie: Yeah?
Tom: What were you doing?
Jessie: What do you think? I got in and he got out.
Tom: That's not what I saw.
Jessie: Well, that's all it was.
Tom: Where were you?
Jessie: It's a pretty weird thing you're suggesting if you're saying what I think you're saying. I haven't told you to f@ck off or anything, which I probably should've. Nothing happened, OK? I'd tell you.
[...]

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Alternate Versions

The R-rated US version has four minutes of footage, mostly involving incestuous acts, removed.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Man on the Moon/Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo/Cradle Will Rock/The Cider House Rules/The War Zone (1999)

User Reviews

Disturbingly Realistic, Incredible Acting, Sad.

Whew. At a loss for words. You really feel like your gut has been ripped out after watching this truly sad story. Lara Belmont definitely deserves some kind of award for this; her role of Jessie, the sexually abused daughter is amazing. I didn't know who to feel sorry for most, Jessie, her brother, or the mother.

The love between brother and sister through this dilemma is tear jerking. Rarely has a movie caught such realism in the expression of utter despair and hopelessness. My desire to reach through the screen and strangle the father was outweighed only by my desire to hug the daughter, and root for the brother. It's hard to believe this actually happens for real, but unfortunately the reality is, it does. I think part of the "penalty" for such a horrible thing as incest and child abuse is to watch "The War Zone".

The cinematography is outstanding and serves as almost a beautiful counterbalance to the main story's theme. I guess it takes some of the best scenery in the world to help balance _that_ out.

This film easily gets a 10, and deserves every bit of it.

Details

Official Sites:

Atlanta Films Official site

Country:

Italy UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 June 1999 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Tim Roth's The War Zone

Filming Locations:

England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$18,335, 12 December 1999

Gross USA:

$254,441

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$254,441

Company Credits

Production Co:

Channel Four Films, Fandango, Mikado Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1