My observations, even a a casual hiker, would be that this ten man attempt to conquer an unexplored mountain enveloped gully, was ill prepared and destined for trouble. The movie is structured around a military inquiry into the disaster, but to my dismay no conclusion as to guilt is reached. I realize the film is based on fact, so no decision may have been rendered, but from an entertainment standpoint, I expected some sort of resolution. The photography is gorgeous, the acting acceptable, and the sense of exploring the unknown is exciting. I could have lived without the flashbacks, which really seem unnecessary, and only serve to bog down the story. - MERK
5 Reviews
"The British Army at it's worst!"
dgrahamwatson2 March 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I don't know if this was based on a true event but it's an interesting film that tells a story of a bungled British army expedition of about 10 men in Malaysia (I think). The movie itself starts off with a board of inquiry and continues through flash backs as events unfold. What is more embarrassing is that not only is this is a none military operation but they are not in any danger from local natives or come under any hostile fire from i.e. local guerrillas or anything like that but are put in danger by themselves with poor decision making and incompetent planning. Inept leadership, arrogance, selfishness and poor communication between the men are all on display and to some extent, hubris or a total and utter disrespect for the of the jungle they are entering. They act as if they are out on a hike in North Wales rather than some of the most inhospitable jungles in the world.
Major. Carlson (known by the ranks as a "Rupert") puts together an ad-hoc team of men for some kind of expedition that has never been completed before partly because of the difficult terrain. Despite warnings from some of the locals of the dangers and suggestions that his team is not up to it Carlson shrugs of the warnings as just "silly local superstition".
However things start badly from the beginning as "just to make it interesting" they do not take the proper communication equipment nor have a the good sense to have a plan B or a rescue mission prepared in case of things get tough." Things will just take care of themselves" and "what could possibly go wrong"? Well plenty, it's obvious from the beginning that some aren't up to the task and when there was an opportunity for some to turn back at an earlier stage they decide to in the great British tradition just to "push on".
Some talk to Carlson and persuade him that it would be better to split up as they can move faster than the others can. It's unclear here if proper permission was given or if there is a misunderstanding but they do split up and it's here that they really put themselves in jeopardy.
After splitting up the team that is ahead are still not satisfied and want to move quicker, so one of the members of the team convinces them that Carlsons men must have turned back and that they should continue but leave a note just in case! Well the men left behind with Carlson did not turn back and when they find the note the penny drops --- they are in trouble! With dwindling food supplies they realize that they have not the strength to go back and are completely lost. They put their faith in the group that are ahead hoping that they will get out and send help, that is their only chance. It's at this point Carlson begins to reflect on his planning and decisions and realizes what he's done.
However, the lead group is not fairing any better and are also finding it hard going. Their food is running out and they too are disorientated. At this time panic sets in and the stronger members of the lead group realizing their predicament have concluded their best hope of survival is to convince the rest of the lead team that they too should split up. They suggest that they can move faster to find the illusive exit out of the jungle that legend says exists while promising to wait for the rest to catch up. They don't, and at this time it's every man for himself! Fine supporting roles from Ralph Brown, Simon Dutton, Dougray Scott and John Mcardle (the always down on his luck Billy Corckhill from Brookside.)
Major. Carlson (known by the ranks as a "Rupert") puts together an ad-hoc team of men for some kind of expedition that has never been completed before partly because of the difficult terrain. Despite warnings from some of the locals of the dangers and suggestions that his team is not up to it Carlson shrugs of the warnings as just "silly local superstition".
However things start badly from the beginning as "just to make it interesting" they do not take the proper communication equipment nor have a the good sense to have a plan B or a rescue mission prepared in case of things get tough." Things will just take care of themselves" and "what could possibly go wrong"? Well plenty, it's obvious from the beginning that some aren't up to the task and when there was an opportunity for some to turn back at an earlier stage they decide to in the great British tradition just to "push on".
Some talk to Carlson and persuade him that it would be better to split up as they can move faster than the others can. It's unclear here if proper permission was given or if there is a misunderstanding but they do split up and it's here that they really put themselves in jeopardy.
After splitting up the team that is ahead are still not satisfied and want to move quicker, so one of the members of the team convinces them that Carlsons men must have turned back and that they should continue but leave a note just in case! Well the men left behind with Carlson did not turn back and when they find the note the penny drops --- they are in trouble! With dwindling food supplies they realize that they have not the strength to go back and are completely lost. They put their faith in the group that are ahead hoping that they will get out and send help, that is their only chance. It's at this point Carlson begins to reflect on his planning and decisions and realizes what he's done.
However, the lead group is not fairing any better and are also finding it hard going. Their food is running out and they too are disorientated. At this time panic sets in and the stronger members of the lead group realizing their predicament have concluded their best hope of survival is to convince the rest of the lead team that they too should split up. They suggest that they can move faster to find the illusive exit out of the jungle that legend says exists while promising to wait for the rest to catch up. They don't, and at this time it's every man for himself! Fine supporting roles from Ralph Brown, Simon Dutton, Dougray Scott and John Mcardle (the always down on his luck Billy Corckhill from Brookside.)
A True Story...
Snowygooner16 April 2006
Warning: Spoilers
In a time gone by, there was said to be a powerful dragon guarding a beautiful pearl at the very top of Low's Gully. In the 19th Century a Chinese expedition attempted unsuccessfully to steal the gemstone from the mythical monster. The wise dragon then laid down a curse on the Chinese and anybody else that foolishly dared to set foot in the gully again - they would be doomed
In February 1994 a British Army expedition comprising of two officers, five NCOs and three Hong Kong Chinese soldiers set out to become the first to climb Mount Kinabalu and enter and conquer Low's Gully.
During the accent of the mountain the men split acrimoniously into two groups of five. The fitter soldiers pushing on up to the 13450 ft summit whilst the slower men including the two officers laboured far behind. On the summit, the advance party decided not to wait for the other group to catch up. They descended north into Easy Gully (a hanging (jungle-infested) valley above Low's Gully); to the edge of a 500 ft vertical rock face requiring an 8 pitch abseil down; before negotiating a mile long section of waterfalls and rapids (also needing abseils), just to reach the head of Low's Gully. Dropping 2000 feet in the process - there was no going back
The slower group, led by Lt. Col. Robert Neil also entered the gully, but by now they had been left to try and navigate out of the treacherous gorge by themselves
The expedition made world headlines when it ended in disaster, with all the men lucky to escape alive from the Place of the Dead
On September 20th 1994 Major General Patrick Cordingley took the unusual step of publicly announcing the findings of an Army Board of Inquiry into Operation Gully Heights. Lieutenant Colonel Robert Neil and Major Ronald Foster were both severely criticised. The Inquiry said their leadership and judgement had been "flawed and over-ambitious". Corporal Hugh Brittan, Lance Corporals Richard Mayfield and Yiu Keung Cheung each received commendations for their conduct, bravery and leadership in Low's Gully.
This film is a dramatisation of those events; which was shown on British television in 1997. A follow-up documentary titled 'Return to the Place of the Dead'. With two of the men, Richard Mayfield and Robert Mann returning back to the gully (by helicopter and with a local guide); to search unsuccessfully for lost video tapes they filmed during the expedition, was also aired a few days after the film.
In February 1994 a British Army expedition comprising of two officers, five NCOs and three Hong Kong Chinese soldiers set out to become the first to climb Mount Kinabalu and enter and conquer Low's Gully.
During the accent of the mountain the men split acrimoniously into two groups of five. The fitter soldiers pushing on up to the 13450 ft summit whilst the slower men including the two officers laboured far behind. On the summit, the advance party decided not to wait for the other group to catch up. They descended north into Easy Gully (a hanging (jungle-infested) valley above Low's Gully); to the edge of a 500 ft vertical rock face requiring an 8 pitch abseil down; before negotiating a mile long section of waterfalls and rapids (also needing abseils), just to reach the head of Low's Gully. Dropping 2000 feet in the process - there was no going back
The slower group, led by Lt. Col. Robert Neil also entered the gully, but by now they had been left to try and navigate out of the treacherous gorge by themselves
The expedition made world headlines when it ended in disaster, with all the men lucky to escape alive from the Place of the Dead
On September 20th 1994 Major General Patrick Cordingley took the unusual step of publicly announcing the findings of an Army Board of Inquiry into Operation Gully Heights. Lieutenant Colonel Robert Neil and Major Ronald Foster were both severely criticised. The Inquiry said their leadership and judgement had been "flawed and over-ambitious". Corporal Hugh Brittan, Lance Corporals Richard Mayfield and Yiu Keung Cheung each received commendations for their conduct, bravery and leadership in Low's Gully.
This film is a dramatisation of those events; which was shown on British television in 1997. A follow-up documentary titled 'Return to the Place of the Dead'. With two of the men, Richard Mayfield and Robert Mann returning back to the gully (by helicopter and with a local guide); to search unsuccessfully for lost video tapes they filmed during the expedition, was also aired a few days after the film.
Mountain Climb Gone Bad
marvelgirl1740227 November 2005
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.
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.
Dragons of Mount Kinabalu
ichocolat5 August 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Based on a true story, this film retraced the steps taken by British troops to Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in South East Asia. The mountain is situated in Sabah, a state in Malaysia.
Legend has it that the mountain is sacred, and those who ventured there without 'permission' will not return. And those who go there to do misdeeds, or speak profanity, will suffer from diseases or famine.
How true was it, I have no idea, really.
The story goes that a group of British soldiers returned to Mount Kinabalu to better understand the terrain and to obtain knowledge of the mountain and of the indigenous people living there.
The film portrays a scenic view of the majestic mountain, with the green trees, the sound of birds and waterfalls, and of the blue sky.
The acting is also believable, and quite good.
A solid 8 our of 10 for the film.
Legend has it that the mountain is sacred, and those who ventured there without 'permission' will not return. And those who go there to do misdeeds, or speak profanity, will suffer from diseases or famine.
How true was it, I have no idea, really.
The story goes that a group of British soldiers returned to Mount Kinabalu to better understand the terrain and to obtain knowledge of the mountain and of the indigenous people living there.
The film portrays a scenic view of the majestic mountain, with the green trees, the sound of birds and waterfalls, and of the blue sky.
The acting is also believable, and quite good.
A solid 8 our of 10 for the film.
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