Adormidera

My quick rating - 3,9/10. I realize this is a Maltese film made on a shoestring budget BUT that doesn't mean I can set aside a poor story, really bad acting, cut scenes that appeared like they were editing out commercials, etc. I felt like the whole time I was watching it was more a group of adults got together, bought a damn nice couple of cameras and set out to make a movie, which is fine. Problem being what they churned out was just so poorly done (minus some nice scenery wherever these people live). I want to rate it higher, I really do, but even the points I am giving are down to a sheer decent ending after a whole lot of boring nonsense. I would be doing harm to you if I didn't point out the fighting in this movie is atrocious. Anyway, if you did become brave and see "The Night Crew" after reading my review, then you know the end of this movie as well (so not a spoiler, but more an eluded to spoiler). Either way, 1 minute out of 90 doesn't make up for the rest of the wasted time. Take a pass unless it is on cable for free (which you would assume it was made for anyway by how the movie looks and feels) Oh, if you feel the need to find this, it is also called Seventh Sword : Avenging the Throne.

The basis of the story is fine. You have a group of five soldiers who reunite after a long battle and decide to travel back to their town together. What's lacking at this point already is the back-story. We don't know who was in battle or even the reason they were fighting, all we know is that they are now returning home.

It's very clear even just through his mannerism during his first appearance on screen that Tristan is an army commander and thus he will be also leading his men back. A flawless and very enjoyable character interpretation by the young Maltese actor which in my opinion "saves" the movie, because although there is a lack of structure in the story itself, interestingly Tristan's character becomes the main subject where his inner conflicts begin to emerge when he comes face-to-face with a lord who prompts a memory of a very unpleasant past.

If one had to be realistic about the expectations of a historical movie made on a low budget, this one certainly deserves some credit. Although in my opinion it falls short in terms of story line and direction, the attention to detail doesn't go unnoticed.

Nevertheless, I found the story rather enjoyable, and particularly in the second half of the movie it became more engaging. Although a large part of the supporting cast seems to be made up of first time actors (judging by their IMDb credits) the remarkable performance by the lead actor, as well as his charm undoubtedly contribute to the movie's visual entertainment. The sword-fighting was also good, especially towards the end.

Overall, this movie is not a blockbuster but worth watching.

I find it fascinating how a strong leading actor, and yes in this case also very handsome can turn around a weak script. I only just watched this movie which is also titled Avenging the throne. The story itself is quite straight forward and to be totally honest is rather intriguing all the way to the end, however amongst other areas the script definitely falls short when it comes to details and linking all the scenes together. I would normally switch to something else if a movie doesn't grab my attention within the first ten minutes. Well in spite of the script's shortcomings and a low production value I carried on watching this one. I would have to give all the credit to the actor playing the role of Tristan for this though.

This work is sickeningly awfully in every aspect. Many people from Malta and friends of the team must have voted.

The script is poor, the plot lacks proper development, the dialogues are sickly, the acting is amateurish... I can go into more detail and cover elements such as filming techniques, colour and sound but I'll spare you all that.

The director also resorted to the idea of employing some kind of fake, working-class English accent which can be anachronistically and distastefully hilarious for a very short while but it gets overbearing and tedious right away.

How did that famous tenor Joseph Calleja accept a role in this Z movie? Has he lost all self-respect?

There should never have been a theatre release and the team should have reserved this film for their own personal use.