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DVD Description
Three friends push the boundaries of trust in this hermetically sealed shocker from the creators of Trainspotting. Starring Kerry Fox (The Hanging Garden), Christopher Eccleston (Elizabeth) and Ewan McGregor (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace), Shallow Grave is a masterpiece of terror riddled with hairpin turns that takes you on a fantastic ride to the lowest depths of human nature. Juliet (Fox), David (Eccleston) and Alex (McGregor) find that their new reclusive roommate has not left his bedroom for days. After kicking in the door they discover his drug over-dose…and a suitcase full of money! Fatefully choosing to keep the money, they know they have to get rid of the remains. But the body won’t stay buried and a careless trail from the shallow grave leads the police – and two money hungry thugs – back to the trio. And as the stakes get higher, so does the body count, not to mention their paranoia which is quickly putting their friendships in jeopardy…forever!
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 5.1 ), English ( Dolby Digital Stereo ), English ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Commentary, Documentary, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, Special Edition, SYNOPSIS: Director Danny Boyle revisits a theme from his Shallow Grave and Trainspotting days -- greed -- but focuses on a much younger protagonist with this comedy drama. Millions opens with recent widower Ronnie (James Nesbitt) moving his two precocious pre-pubescent sons to the suburbs. Missing his mother and the comforts of his old neighborhood, the young Damian (Alex Etel) builds a cardboard-box fort on the outskirts of the suburb, where one day his placid introvert existence is literally crushed by a giant gym bag full of thousands of pounds' worth of cash. Less concerned with the origin of the money than with how to spend it, Damian and his older brother, Anthony (Lewis McGibbon), decide to keep it a secret from their father, which becomes an increasingly tricky proposition as the days pass. His conscience getting in the way of his spending, Damian debates the ethics of his ill-gotten gains with a handful of imaginary saints, and begins to try to spend his cash a little more altruistically. But his charitable deeds inadvertently attract the attention of a mysterious, threatening man who's desperate to get his hands on the money. Marking a distinct change of pace for Boyle after the horror film 28 Days Later, Millions world-premiered at the 2004 Toronto Film Festival. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: BAFTA Awards, Fantasporto Awards, ...Shallow Grave
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
For those who have yet to see it, Danny Boyle's Shallow Grave (1994) is a British horror/thriller that contains more laugh-out-loud moments than many co-called comedies. It is a very well written story of three Edinburgh flat-mates who rent out their spare room to Keith Allen, only for him to die in his bed shortly afterwards, leaving behind a suitcase full of cash. The flat-mates eventually decide to keep the money and bury the body. They think the loot will enhance their lives - but it doesn't, instead their world becomes a living nightmare.
Many would expect Ewan McGregor to be the star of this film - giving his current status as a Hollywood A-lister, but in fact Christopher Eccleston acts everyone else off the screen. He's superb as David the mild chartered accountant who slowly descends into madness. The scene in which he threatens to put a man in a bin bag is simultaneously hilarious and chilling (it's worth owning the DVD for this one scene alone). There are many other great moments, including Cameron's revenge on Alex in a toilet cubicle.
There are however several gaps in the storyline - for example, the flatmates never consider the obvious possibility of hiding the money then reporting Hugo's death to the police, and it is never explained how the two bad guys traced Hugo's disappearance to the flat. The film may not be perfect, but it has definitely stood the test of time. And I think having a low budget works to the film's advantage, as it is very lean, with no unnecessary scenes. The running time is just under 90 minutes, which is about right for this film.
As for the DVD itself, there are no problems at all with the sound and picture quality. Although this DVD is a "Special Edition", the only extras are a commentary by Danny Boyle and a 29-minute BBC documentary called Digging Your Own Grave. The documentary is actually quite interesting. Whereas most "making ofs" are nothing more than a prolonged trailer or marketing device, Digging Your Own Grave does take us behind the scenes to show how the film was made. We get to see how the special effects were created, how the sets were built, we get to see actors rehearsing and producer Andrew Macdonald almost suffer a nervous breakdown as his film spirals over budget and over schedule and shady men in suits begin appearing on the set. I wish more DVDs contained documentaries of this calibre.
Interestingly, Danny Boyle has mentioned that the events in Trainspotting took place prior to those in Shallow Grave and Keith Allen's character was in fact the same person in both films.
Many would expect Ewan McGregor to be the star of this film - giving his current status as a Hollywood A-lister, but in fact Christopher Eccleston acts everyone else off the screen. He's superb as David the mild chartered accountant who slowly descends into madness. The scene in which he threatens to put a man in a bin bag is simultaneously hilarious and chilling (it's worth owning the DVD for this one scene alone). There are many other great moments, including Cameron's revenge on Alex in a toilet cubicle.
There are however several gaps in the storyline - for example, the flatmates never consider the obvious possibility of hiding the money then reporting Hugo's death to the police, and it is never explained how the two bad guys traced Hugo's disappearance to the flat. The film may not be perfect, but it has definitely stood the test of time. And I think having a low budget works to the film's advantage, as it is very lean, with no unnecessary scenes. The running time is just under 90 minutes, which is about right for this film.
As for the DVD itself, there are no problems at all with the sound and picture quality. Although this DVD is a "Special Edition", the only extras are a commentary by Danny Boyle and a 29-minute BBC documentary called Digging Your Own Grave. The documentary is actually quite interesting. Whereas most "making ofs" are nothing more than a prolonged trailer or marketing device, Digging Your Own Grave does take us behind the scenes to show how the film was made. We get to see how the special effects were created, how the sets were built, we get to see actors rehearsing and producer Andrew Macdonald almost suffer a nervous breakdown as his film spirals over budget and over schedule and shady men in suits begin appearing on the set. I wish more DVDs contained documentaries of this calibre.
Interestingly, Danny Boyle has mentioned that the events in Trainspotting took place prior to those in Shallow Grave and Keith Allen's character was in fact the same person in both films.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
Before purchasing this excellent British film individually, please note that it is also available as part of this 4-pack blu-ray collection:
The Brit Indie Collection (4-pack) [Blu-ray].
Having paid only fifteen pounds for four films (Shallow Grave, Sexy Beast, Trainspotting and Gangster No.1) I thought it worth mentioning.
The Brit Indie Collection (4-pack) [Blu-ray].
Having paid only fifteen pounds for four films (Shallow Grave, Sexy Beast, Trainspotting and Gangster No.1) I thought it worth mentioning.
Format:DVD
I always look out for Film 4 DVDs in the red box series and was happy to find this, the storyline looked good as well as the great director and a strong cast. Shallow Grave is one of my all time favourites, a great Scottish black comedy. There is a constant tension throughout and plenty of surprising twists and turns along the way. Although all three leads are great in this, Ewen McGregor's convincing and powerful performance as the young journalist is a stand out. I love Trainspotting, but personaly I favour this film a lot more.
Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Classic film
Classic film, seen it loads of times on TV so I thought I would but it as it is so cheap now and it still makes me laugh. Black Scottish comedy at it's best.
Published 15 months ago by L. Taylor
shallow grave dvd
i love the humour and the gore... and ewan mcgregor is a lovely bit of eye candy xxx
Published 21 months ago by hotlips
Absolutely gripping
The first film directed by the highly acclaimed Danny Boyle, Shallow Grave is a prime example of what makes Boyle such a success, however it is in this success that Shallow Grave... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Sasha Holborn
clever, thrilling and fun
It's been 10 years since I saw this and I thought I'd be disappointed. Absolutely not.
It's creepy, clever and will keep you gripped 'til the unexpected end. Read more
It's creepy, clever and will keep you gripped 'til the unexpected end. Read more
Published on 5 Sep 2009 by A. Stevenson
grave k
shallow grave a true classic long time no see now back on dvd for fans buy this en enjoy
Published on 17 July 2009 by orange tom
Decent set
Shallow Grave is a wholly decent film- great premise, a good cast and some fresh ideas- but its clear that Boyle, Macdonald and Hodge had yet to find that perfect mix of ideas,... Read more
Published on 18 Jun 2009 by Magnum Valentino
Better than Trainspotting?
I think this film is great - great storyline, great feel to the film and great actors. In my opinion, and I'm sure I'll be slated for this, it's better than Trainspotting... Read more
Published on 17 Jun 2009 by Christopher Osbeck
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