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Amazon.co.uk Review
As unflinching and bleak as it is beautiful, Tim Roth's directorial debut The War Zone is remarkably accomplished filmmaking. Adapted by Alexander Stuart from his own novel, the film centres on a family that has just moved from London to the wind-swept seaside during winter. The relative isolation soon reveals an ongoing incestuous relationship between the working-class father (Ray Winstone) and his 17-year-old-daughter, Jessie. The middle-class mother (Tilda Swinton) has just given birth to their third child and desperately avoids knowing the truth, leaving Tom, the younger brother, with the horrific responsibility of exposing the family secret. Fearless in its hard-fought depiction of incest, The War Zone pulls no punches; this vivid portrayal of abuse within a family and the scathed consciousness that results is not for the faint of heart. True to his theatre background, Roth doesn't explain how or where such brutal choices were first taken, choosing rather to let the actors bear the ambiguities and anguish of a terrible knowledge in the their body language.--Fionn Meade, Amazon.com
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 5.1 ), English ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN (2.35:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Behind the scenes, Cast/Crew Interview(s), Interactive Menu, Scene Access, Trailer(s), SYNOPSIS: For 15 year old Tom, the war zone is at the heart of his seemingly happy middle-class family. When his family move from London to Devon, Tom finds his new family life lonely and boring. But nothing can prepare him for the terrible secret that binds his father and his eighteen-year old sister Jessie. Isolated, confused and consumed by adolescent anger, Tom is determined to reveal the truth. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: Berlin International Film Festival, British Independent Film Awards, European Film Awards, ...The War Zone ( Zona di guerra ) ( Tim Roth's The War Zone )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
34 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Fundamentally, The War Zone is a drama that follows the misfortunes of what first appears to be a functional working-class family, who have moved from London to a remote house in the country. From the outset the film is as real a piece of social documentation as you will find (I could compare it to the masterful ONCE WERE WARRIORS, or perhaps NIL BY MOUTH; maybe even something by Mike Leigh), penetrating the heart of one of our deepest taboos with a big barbed hook, and yanking it roughly out into the open for all to see. Ray Winstone (SCUM; NIL BY MOUTH; THE FINAL CUT; LOVE, HONOUR AND OBEY) gives a tour-de-force performance as the sexually abusive sweet-talker who suddenly finds his whole world falling apart around him when his son stumbles upon a shocking incestuous liaison that will change all their lives forever. From the car crash that heralds the arrival of baby Alice, to the final, gruelling conclusion, I was both wrapt and horrified by the no-holds-barred attitude of nascent director Tim Roth - formerly an actor of no little talent (MEANTIME; MADE IN ENGLAND; THE HIT; RESERVOIR DOGS; PULP FICTION) who seems to have turned his somewhat ruthless efforts to writing and directing. Creditable performances are made by the entire cast, but the prize goes to Mr Winstone, who we can always rely on to take us to the edge - in this case we get a helping hand by Mr Roth, and are consequently plummeted into the dark, dank recesses of the human condition with very little in the way of a safety net. I will definately be keeping a nervous eye out for what he comes up with next...
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Tim Roth's debut film as director is a claustrophobic family drama with an excellent cast and is memorably filmed around locations in Devon.
I came to this film knowing that the content of the plot (centering around a father abusing his teenage daughter) would mean it was likely to be a harrowing watch, and I was not wrong in that assumption. Ray Winstone and Tilda Swinton make a convincing if strange married couple, and the two young actors playing their children are revelations in their roles. The film is photographed brilliantly and scenes shot on the rugged coastline are excellent contrasts to the dark interiors. Ultimately, I am not sure whether anyone would come away from this film feeling uplifted in any way, but it does contain moments of raw drama which are worth seeing.
The transfer/picture is sharp and the extras include illuminating interviews on the casting and filming process from the actors.
Mildly recommended, but only if you can handle depressing films.
I came to this film knowing that the content of the plot (centering around a father abusing his teenage daughter) would mean it was likely to be a harrowing watch, and I was not wrong in that assumption. Ray Winstone and Tilda Swinton make a convincing if strange married couple, and the two young actors playing their children are revelations in their roles. The film is photographed brilliantly and scenes shot on the rugged coastline are excellent contrasts to the dark interiors. Ultimately, I am not sure whether anyone would come away from this film feeling uplifted in any way, but it does contain moments of raw drama which are worth seeing.
The transfer/picture is sharp and the extras include illuminating interviews on the casting and filming process from the actors.
Mildly recommended, but only if you can handle depressing films.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is one of the best films I have ever seen. The performances from all the cast are wonderful but I cannot praise Belmont and Cunliffe for their portrayals of the brother and sister. As Tom (Cunliffe) gives us our view of the drama, his performance is crucial but he truly excels. Jess (Belmont) has to go through some of the most difficult scenes in the film and express the most complicated emotions. These two young actors carry this film and make it the masterpiece it is.
Tim Roth's direction is also one of the best I have ever seen, especially considering this is his debut.
As others have said this film is not easy to watch, but it is very beautiful and contains some of the best performances I have ever seen.
Tim Roth's direction is also one of the best I have ever seen, especially considering this is his debut.
As others have said this film is not easy to watch, but it is very beautiful and contains some of the best performances I have ever seen.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A warning
Ilove Ray Winstones work.Nothing prepared me for this film,the subject matter is harrowing ,that said ,its one of his best,and i admire him for taking on such a disturbing role,not... Read more
Published 16 months ago by sueb
Disturbing - yet compelling.
This film troubled me - really troubled me!
The story-line is uncomfortable; as incest SHOULD be! Read more
The story-line is uncomfortable; as incest SHOULD be! Read more
Published 17 months ago by Ben Bottle
Very upsetting but impressive movie!
The War zone funnily enough was filmed not far away from where I live in Devon.The story involves a family,who locate from London to Devon. Read more
Published on 18 Jun 2009 by Mr. A. J. Ralph
Raw drama that will stay with you for a long time
This intense family drama got dark and horrifying to the point where it was almost too hard for me to keep watching. Read more
Published on 14 May 2009 by Flmfn
doesnt have alot of soul
the war zone is a very uncompromising film dealing with the last taboo subject of incest and offers no light and thats fair enough but the film offers little more than what you... Read more
Published on 23 Nov 2006 by sean paul mccann
A cowardly adaptation of a truly controversial book
If you want a by the numbers exploration of a seemingly average family hiding an abusive sexual relationship this is the film for you. Read more
Published on 8 Sep 2006 by Malcolm Lawn
my fav and worst film
There are no words to discribe how this film made me feel.. It has to be the best film I have ever seen.. but in many ways I wish I hadnt.. Read more
Published on 3 Dec 2005 by "vsd02c"
A Little Too Close To Home
I live only a few miles down the road from Hartland where this movie was filmed and is set. The town is notorious for inbreeding but even ignoring that, it has a hideously... Read more
Published on 1 Jun 2005 by Oh Daesu
BRUTAL BEAUTY.
This film is not going to appeal to everyone's taste so 'popcorn-pinheads'don't even bother! However, if you long to watch REAL drama with gut-renching emotion and the perfomances... Read more
Published on 10 May 2003 by RYAN OLIVER AKA RID_ICULE.
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