Review of Van Diemen's Land (2009) by Colin O — 27 Apr 2010
Based on the true story of Alexander Pearce, a dangerous and violent criminal in one of the Tasmanian prison colonies, who upon escaping found himself and his fellow prisoners battling a vicious terrain and a vicious hunger.
Anyone who's seen The Proposition will testify that a good western doesn't have to be set in the Old West. Here we have another Australasian film that further cements that. The fact that this film is set nearly 200 years ago and can still be filmed in the same place, shows you how desolate a place it really is.
Of course, the main point of interest here is the lengths Pearce goes to to survive. Eventually cannibalism is the only option to survive, showing desperate men at their lowest ebb. This really is heavy going but rewarding viewing.
Reminiscent of Werner Herzog's Rescue Dawn but with more despair.
This review of Van Diemen's Land (2009) was written by Colin O on 27 Apr 2010.
Van Diemen's Land has generally received mixed reviews.
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