- Actors: Jamie Draven, Grace Fulton, Vinessa Shaw, Chandra West
- Directors: Francesco Lucente
- Format: Dolby, PAL
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: 15
- Studio: Scanbox Entertainment
- DVD Release Date: 1 Nov 2010
- Run Time: 165 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B003M8ZG7E
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 62,319 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Product Description
Jerry is a Marine who was a young patriot and idealist when he served in the first Gulf War but when deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq, Jerry is an older man, a father of three and embittered by broken promises and unfulfilled desires. When Jerry returns home from his tour he has been transformed by the horrors committed that cannot be forgiven. He lives a life of poverty, his children afraid of him and his wife, Nora, unsympathetic and unhappy. When Jerry discovers that Nora has betrayed him, his anger and despair drive him to commit an act so heinous and irreversible that nothing he had experienced in combat could have prepared him for. BADLAND is a gut wrenching, poignant look at the aftermath of war on a returning Iraq war veteran and his family. It is the story of a man who loses his soul and how a daughters love and faith brings redemption to his unspeakable crimes.
Review
UK Actor Jamie Draven evokes memories of the classic performance of Robert Mitchum in Night of the Hunter --WNYX-tv
A gritty, beautiful, well-told story with a raw, powerful punch --Los Angeles Times
A gritty, beautiful, well-told story with a raw, powerful punch --Los Angeles Times
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Movies about the Iraq war have been popular over the past few years (The award winning The Hurt Locker, The Messenger, Brothers, etc). What these films have in common and so brilliantly do is capture the men behind the uniforms and delve into their minds. We've all seen the horrific news reports and the harrowing state of life in that tortured country but when these men come home how do they move on from what they have witnessed? Badland is an excellent portrayal of one such man and his struggles to adapt back into normal society. Jerry Rice is living an almost non-existent life working part time at a gas station and trying to keep a family of four with a baby on the way. His cold and un-loving wife is frustrated with the 'mental problems' he brought back with him from Iraq and reminds him on a daily basis what a waste of space he is. The one pure, innocent and loving thing in his life is his young daughter who adores him unconditionally and who constantly looks to him for the loving father she so desperately wants. Jerry though, is not the same man he was and before long we get to see the devastating results that such a tortured soul like himself commits.
The film is long (2 hours and 45 minutes) but you find yourself so emerged in the story and characters that you don't want it end, even when the credits roll. Jamie Draven is fantastic in the lead role and in my opinion we should be seeing a lot more of him in films like this and not just have him be remembered for the 'fit older brother' from Billy Elliot. Grace Fulton who plays his daughter Celina will break your heart, not just for her wide-eyed innocence but for the overwhelming closeness and commitment to her father. As the film progresses you feel that no one is going to win and that the outcome will only bring more pain and grief (which it does), but a slight twist to the ending surprises you - When I first watched it I didn't feel that that was the way to end the film but with all the darkness, some light at the end of the tunnel is what we needed.
Overall, a brilliant film tackling a difficult and still controversial subject which leaves you haunted for days.
The film is long (2 hours and 45 minutes) but you find yourself so emerged in the story and characters that you don't want it end, even when the credits roll. Jamie Draven is fantastic in the lead role and in my opinion we should be seeing a lot more of him in films like this and not just have him be remembered for the 'fit older brother' from Billy Elliot. Grace Fulton who plays his daughter Celina will break your heart, not just for her wide-eyed innocence but for the overwhelming closeness and commitment to her father. As the film progresses you feel that no one is going to win and that the outcome will only bring more pain and grief (which it does), but a slight twist to the ending surprises you - When I first watched it I didn't feel that that was the way to end the film but with all the darkness, some light at the end of the tunnel is what we needed.
Overall, a brilliant film tackling a difficult and still controversial subject which leaves you haunted for days.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
'Badland' is an Independent drama that released theatrically in America in 2007 and Direct-to-DVD in the UK in 2010. On its release the movie has been critically acclaimed but turned out to be a box-office failure mainly due to a limited release.
The film tells the harrowing story of an American soldier, Jerry Rice (Jamie Draven) who struggles with the realities of life and depression after he is discharged from his duties in Iraq.
The feature has a fantastic gripping start. The first ninety minutes, which makes the movie work, is spellbinding with touching emotions and award-winning acting. The vehicle then derails for most of the latter half due to erratic moments and long scenes, which fail to come alive or show a purpose. The movie does have a reprival in the form of an unexpected climax that in a way gives you a sigh of relief.
The main problem is the excessive length (2 hours 45 minutes), which causes a loss of interest during the latter stages. Also some erratic sequences/pointless sub-plot affects the engrossing feel of the movie.
The performance of Jamie Draven is what really makes the film work. His portrayal of a destitute soul is excellent. When you pay attention to his eyes and facial expressions, you'll literally feel the pain. Grace Fulton (Celina Rice) who enacts the role of Jerry's child is incredible. The sensitive father-daughter relationship is one of the highlights of the movie. Chandra West (Oli Danilou) looks the part but her acting is artificial. Joe Morton (Max Astin) is a good actor and initially is likeable. After a number of pointless long scenes he shares with Draven, his presence becomes annoying though.
The direction provided by Francesco Lucente is first-rate when it come to the acting of the lead actors, the haunting atmosphere and a moving story. Where he fails is the length of the movie, which could've been easily trimmed by 1 hour.
The background music score by Ludek Drizhal is very uplifting although not suitable in some scenes where something more serious/haunting would've been appropriate.
The film concentrates on Post Traumatic Street Disorder, lack of urgent support given to war veterans and that after war there are no winners. As an audience, the movie with its emotionally challenging events will raise more questions than answers. In the end there is hope though.
'Badland' is thought provoking quality cinema.
The film tells the harrowing story of an American soldier, Jerry Rice (Jamie Draven) who struggles with the realities of life and depression after he is discharged from his duties in Iraq.
The feature has a fantastic gripping start. The first ninety minutes, which makes the movie work, is spellbinding with touching emotions and award-winning acting. The vehicle then derails for most of the latter half due to erratic moments and long scenes, which fail to come alive or show a purpose. The movie does have a reprival in the form of an unexpected climax that in a way gives you a sigh of relief.
The main problem is the excessive length (2 hours 45 minutes), which causes a loss of interest during the latter stages. Also some erratic sequences/pointless sub-plot affects the engrossing feel of the movie.
The performance of Jamie Draven is what really makes the film work. His portrayal of a destitute soul is excellent. When you pay attention to his eyes and facial expressions, you'll literally feel the pain. Grace Fulton (Celina Rice) who enacts the role of Jerry's child is incredible. The sensitive father-daughter relationship is one of the highlights of the movie. Chandra West (Oli Danilou) looks the part but her acting is artificial. Joe Morton (Max Astin) is a good actor and initially is likeable. After a number of pointless long scenes he shares with Draven, his presence becomes annoying though.
The direction provided by Francesco Lucente is first-rate when it come to the acting of the lead actors, the haunting atmosphere and a moving story. Where he fails is the length of the movie, which could've been easily trimmed by 1 hour.
The background music score by Ludek Drizhal is very uplifting although not suitable in some scenes where something more serious/haunting would've been appropriate.
The film concentrates on Post Traumatic Street Disorder, lack of urgent support given to war veterans and that after war there are no winners. As an audience, the movie with its emotionally challenging events will raise more questions than answers. In the end there is hope though.
'Badland' is thought provoking quality cinema.
Format:DVD
If you have been brought up on films that seek a happy resolution at the end, then avoid this one. This film is set in the 'real' America, of trailer parks, poor diet, low incomes, and little hope for the future. A husband and father returns to this from traumatic experiences in the Gulf War. His wife has been unfaithful, his friends and employer try to cheat him, and his life is like looking down a black tunnel. Cue new job, new hope, reconciliation with wife and family , Stars and Stripes flying? Not a chance. Following a sequence of devastating events, he runs off with his young daughter to a new life and fresh start in small-town America. This proves equally disastrous, showing there is no escape from a tortured past.
This is a truly marvellous film. It does not look away, does not shirk its responsibilities. The scenery and cinematography is first rate, the understated performances from all the cast are excellent, with a standout tour-de-force acting lesson from a young girl who seems to be only seven or eight years old. It really deserves a wider audience. Warning though, do not watch if prone to depression!
This is a truly marvellous film. It does not look away, does not shirk its responsibilities. The scenery and cinematography is first rate, the understated performances from all the cast are excellent, with a standout tour-de-force acting lesson from a young girl who seems to be only seven or eight years old. It really deserves a wider audience. Warning though, do not watch if prone to depression!
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