El rey de la montaña (2007)

Two strangers run from unknown assailants that stalk them through the woods.

Director:

Gonzalo López-Gallego

Writers:

Javier Gullón (screenplay), Javier Gullón (story)

Stars:

Leonardo Sbaraglia, María Valverde, Thomas Riordan

4 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Leonardo Sbaraglia	...	Quim
María Valverde	...	Bea
Thomas Riordan	...	Hermano Menor
Andrés Juste	...	Hermano Mayor
Pablo Menasanch	...	Guardia Joven
Francisco Olmo	...	Guardia Mayor
Manuel Sánchez Ramos	...	Empleado Gasolinera
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Michael De La Torre	...	Quim - English Language Dubbing
Luis Fernández de Eribe

Storyline

Quim drives around an isolated rural area through a maze of lanes. When he drives into the woods, he gets lost. Trying to find his direction, he suddenly gets shot from the hill. On his escape from gunshots, he meets Bea, an attractive young woman, who apparently is lost as well. Suspicious of each other, they join forces to run away through the forest, unprotected, cold, hunted...

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Plot Keywords:

tire shot out | telescope sight | sniper | cat and mouse | first person perspective | 

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Taglines:

Shoot. Kill. Game Over.

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Genres:

Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, language and brief sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Wild Side Films [France]

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

12 September 2008 (Spain)

Also Known As:

King of the Hill

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$418,026

Company Credits

Production Co:

Goodfellas, Decontrabando, Telecinco

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

References Shadow of the Colossus (2005)

User Reviews

'Those Kids Ain't Right'

And his day got off to such a promising start. After stopping at a petrol station, a man finds himself propositioned to have a quick bit of nookie in the ladies toilet by a sexy young brunette. RESULT!! Unfortunately, he later discovers she's nicked his wallet and lighter. Oops. Still, on the road again, he sees her turn off and decides to pursue her vehicle... and before long, in circumstances too convoluted to explain, both are forced to team up as they find themselves stranded in the wilderness, being shot at by unseen snipers. Quite a turn-up for the books, eh?

Known as 'King Of The Hill' here in the UK (But with no connection to the TV show of the same name) this is a nail biting thriller with a very small cast, but an abundance of tension and realism. The aspect I most enjoyed was the way the participants were fleshed out, as despite being on the run for the most of length we discover a lot about them through their words and actions alone. Even the main 'villains', who we don't meet until late on, and their own unique perspectives. This is crucial to the movie's success as if it was a simple chase between two sets of caricatures with no discernible personalities, it wouldn't be half as absorbing as it clearly is.

People get hurt, tired and frustrated. Their very lives are on the line. They never know where the gunmen will crop up next. The terrain they have to trek through is inhospitable too, to say the least. It's all done with miraculous skill by the director, as the stakes are raised with every scene. Make sure you go to the bathroom beforehand... you're not gonna want to tear yourself away for a minute. A great thrill ride, and a smart one as well. 7/10