Silent Hill (2006)

A woman, Rose, goes in search for her adopted daughter within the confines of a strange, desolate town called Silent Hill.

Director:

Christophe Gans

Writer:

Roger Avary

Stars:

Radha Mitchell, Laurie Holden, Sean Bean

8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Radha Mitchell	...	Rose Da Silva
Sean Bean	...	Christopher Da Silva
Laurie Holden	...	Cybil Bennett
Deborah Kara Unger	...	Dahlia Gillespie
Kim Coates	...	Officer Thomas Gucci
Tanya Allen	...	Anna
Alice Krige	...	Christabella
Jodelle Ferland	...	Sharon / Alessa
Colleen Williams	...	Archivist
Ron Gabriel	...	Old Mechanic
Eve Crawford	...	Sister Margaret
Derek Ritschel	...	Young Police Officer
Amanda Hiebert	...	Gas Attendant
Nicky Guadagni	...	Distressed Woman
Maxine Dumont	...	Christabella's Aide

Storyline

Sharon Da Silva wakes up every night screaming about "silent hill". Pursued by a police officer suspicious of her motives and swerving to avoid another child her adoptive mother crashes the car knocking herself unconscious. When Rose Da Silva awakens to find her adopted child is missing, she searches the fog and ash blanketed town for her beloved daughter.

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Plot Keywords:

ash fall | gothic | based on video game | first part | molestation | 

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Taglines:

Population. ZERO

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Fantasy | Horror | Mystery

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong horror violence and gore, disturbing images, and some language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Filming in Brantford, Ontario, Canada lasted four days. The decaying downtown strip that was used for most of the film is a section of Colbourne Street. This was picked as such because not many modifications were needed as that area of the downtown was already in a state of decay (but has since been cleaned up considerably) and consisted mostly of abandoned buildings that could be 'dressed' easily for filming.

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Goofs

As the miners are trying to break down the washroom door, the camera pans over the door frame from Rose's side to the miners' side. Just as it settles into its final position, you can see the sliding wall section they used to allow the camera to pan, sliding back into position on the left of the door frame.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Rose Da Silva: Sharon! She's not here! Oh, God. Christopher, can you see anything? Sharon! Sharon!

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Crazy Credits

The Davis Films logo is engulfed in fog and ash instead of the traditional sky.

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Alternate Versions

In Canada, there is rumored to exist an extended cut of the film which runs approx. 132 minutes. It is also said to be the full uncut version of the film itself, which to this day, has never been released outside Canada. This version, being the full version of the movie that was filmed contains longer, sometimes more explicit scenes, more disturbing features (as well as extended scenes that explain everything unlike in the American Theatrical Cut) that was possibly all cut to prevent an NC-17 rating in the USA.

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Connections

Featured in Phelous & the Movies: BloodPhayne 2: Deliverance (2012)

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Soundtracks

You're Not Here (SHF4)
Vocalist Mary Elizabeth McGlynn
Written and Performed by Akira Yamaoka
Courtesy of Konami
(plays during end title sequence)

User Reviews

A patient, intelligent, atmospheric horror film that doesn't go for cheap scares

I have been a fan of the first game since it came out. As with most video game adaptations, I expected this to be a piece of sh#@. Instead, I got an atmospheric, haunting thriller that slowly creeps into you and doesn't let go.

True, the game was scarier. Way scarier. And there was something appealing about the vagueness of the story - the fact that it was never fully explained. And some parts (especially in the third act) could have been edited down and made more intense. And I wasn't fully convinced by Radha Mitchell's acting. But seriously, folks, this goes above and beyond your standard fare horror flick.

Speaking visually, the film is breath-taking. Some of the best conceptual designs I've ever seen. The creature's design and effects are top notch. Pay attention to one very creepy scene that revolves around a flash-light. It is brilliant.

The score is perfect. Disturbing and melancholy at the same time, just like the themes the movie explores. It has depth and its meanings are relevant to our current existence.

One thing I wanted to see used more was the radio static that signifies when a monster is approaching. That was to me one of the scariest elements of the game, since you knew the monster is close, and yet you couldn't see it. Also, with such a tightly woven, dense atmosphere, some boo moments could have been super scary, although the movie doesn't use them. That is a plus and a minus. The result is more sophisticated, refined, working more on psychological horror rather than shock value. On the other hand, on a superficial level, the film is not as scary as it could have been.

To conclude, a very pleasant surprise. Hopefully this is not the last we've seen of Silent Hill.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [France] Sony Pictures [United States]

Country:

Canada France

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 April 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Centralia

Filming Locations:

Lister Block, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$20,152,598, 23 April 2006

Gross USA:

$46,982,632

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$100,605,135

Company Credits

Production Co:

TriStar Pictures, Silent Hill DCP Inc., Davis-Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min 132 min (Special Edition Blu-ray) (Canada only)

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1