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:

M.J. Bassett (as Michael J. Bassett)

Writer:

M.J. Bassett (as 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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The fight between Andy Serkis and Hugo Speer took four days to shoot.

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Goofs

There is not (and never has been) such a rank as Private First Class in the British Army, although it is possible to reach Class Three, Two and One within your trade

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Quotes

Pvt. Willie McNess: Shoot him!
Pfc. Charlie Shakespeare: Why?
Pvt. Willie McNess: Cuz he kicked me in the fucking balls!

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: What's the Worst That Could Happen?/Pearl Harbor/The Anniversary Party/Stanley Kubrick: A Life in Pictures (2001)

User Reviews

What's all the fuss about?

I was reading several of the reviews on this site as I was watching the movie. I agree with some and disagree with some. There have been several comments regarding the relatively low budget. What's wrong with that? I, for one, appreciate seeing a movie that is nothing but real actors filling the screen, rather than special effects and computer-generated action. I think relatively low budget aspect of not having special effects made it more "real". The acting I thought was fine. The only person I recognize, being an American, was Jamie Bell. He did his usual very good job here. I have absolutely no idea who the rest of the cast is, so I was not constrained in believability as several reviewers were who mentioned that when they see one specific actor, for example, they keep thinking of his role on a television show. With Bell being the only guy I've seen before, all the actors were, to me, able to settle into their roles as WWI soldiers.

I agree with a couple reviewers who commented that it was good that it was an all-British cast. As an American, it annoys the hell out of me when Hollywood makes movies that involve characters from other nations, and could very easily fill those roles with actors from those nations, but instead use American actors with horrible imitation accents, or worse yet, not even using an accent. Regarding what the movie was "really" about, I like the fact that it was left a little up in the air. This is one of those movies that allows heated debated after viewing it. It is good to have a movie that lets you think for yourself regarding what you just watched, rather than having it force-fed to you. I think this was a very good movie, one in which a low budget, all British cast, and completely unknown (for an American) actors other than Bell, all combine to equal an enjoyable viewing experience.

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

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,270,658

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