Review of Deathwatch (2002) by Kurt B — 16 Jan 2010

As a horror film set in the trenches of world war one I think immediately this is a fresh idea. The plot is a group of soldiers who survive a big offensive against the Germans and then regroup to find a practically unmanned German front line trench; they attempt to hold the trench until support comes but this trench isn?t what it seems.

I was first concerned that the leading role was Jamie Bell from the film Billy Eliot and I thought as he?s pretty much typecast for that film that it would be a major problem. Fortunately the way he plays the character is completely different and he actually puts on a rather good act. The film also has actor Andy Serkis who plays Smegal in the Lord of the Rings series.

The actor?s costumes and the trench in which the film is set are very realistic, the trench is full of rats and rotten corpses which makes this a brilliant setting for a horror film and brings a true meaning to ?the horrors of war?.

I think the story was well worked and the idea is totally unique especially with a surprise twist at the end of the film, it is written and directed by Michael J. Basset who is also the director of Solomon Kane. Summed up I think this is another great British horror film that just hasn?t got the recognition it deserves.