Wolf Creek (DVD)

If you're planning on heading off for a backpacking holiday in the Austrailian outback sometime soon, then you might want to give this film a miss until you're back in the safety of your own armchair.

This Australian horror is based loosely on the events surrounding Ivan Milat who murdered backpackers in the 1990s, and at the end of the film, it does seem as though you've just watched something completely true. Unlike most horror films however, it's beautifully filmed with the cinematographer taking full advantage of the vast Australian scenery. However, this can also be a disturbing factor because you realise just how deserted this place is and there really is no escape.

Two British girls (Cassandra Magrath and Kestie Morassi) meet up with an Australian guy (Nathan Phillips) and they all head across the outback in a car to explore. On their journey they stop at Wolf's Creek, a massive crater caused by a 50 tonne meteorite in the middle of the desert. At the crater, the trio find the place eerie - their watches have stopped and the car won't restart upon their return to it. The menace is added to by the trio sharing spooky stories about UFOs. After a while Mick Taylor (John Jarratt) a sinister "Crocadile Dundee" type redneck turns up and offers to tow them back to his garage to fix their car. This is where the nightmare begins.

Although the story sounds very similar to that of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre", this film has more atmosphere than gore with it's shakey mockumentary style and extensive use of the outback environment. There is some very graphic violence and very strong language, but it is necessary and not over-done. The violence is grisly, but effective which makes the film all the more disturbing. It's often said that this film is slow to start, however the forthcoming onslaught is built up perfectly through the developing relationship between the three travellers against the beauty of the outback.

If you're the type of person who'd enjoy a more psychological twist on a traditional horror film formula, rather than full-on blood, guts and gore then see this film because it's more disturbing than nauseating. Highly recommended.

Of the batch of modern horror flic's this has to be one of the best. 3 teenagers are stranded in the outback when a kind aussie bloke just happens to stumble accross the trio when in his van. He offers them shelter and to fix their broken down car - this is when the fun starts. 'that's not a knife - this is a knife' - a line which you hear twice in the film gives you an idea of what lies ahead for you in this beast of a killer thriler.
Can the trio survive - is the aussie stranger just a softie at heart?

No. he isnt. But, you knew that anyway. Great film- go see it.

Brit backpackers Kristy (Magrath) and Liz (Morassi) have been doing the classic gap year thing, travelling up Australia’s west coast, drinking, meeting fellow travellers and generally having a hedonistic, fun-packed time. Somewhere on the road they have hooked up with Sydneysider Ben (Phillips) and the three plan the road trip of a lifetime, driving through the outback to Wolf Creek, a giant meteor crash site in the middle of the desert, before heading up to Cairns and Darwin. They celebrate in true English style by getting drunk.

The next day the trio sets off into the bush where they discover a different Australia. Inclined to treat it all as a bit of a Crocodile Dundee style joke, they are nevertheless startled by the casually offensive sexism that they encounter at a truck stop. Driving on through a desiccated landscape of bullet-riddled road signs and bright red earth, they arrive at the crater. Ben and Liz have been eyeing each other up for a while and during the afternoon they share a few sweet stolen kisses while Kristy dozes in the shade. Returning to the car as dusk falls, they are slightly spooked to discover that their watches have stopped and panicky when the car won’t start.

Preparing to hunker down and sleep in the car, they are relieved to see lights approaching. Their rescuer is Mick (Jarratt), a real Aussie larrikin. He inspects the car and offers to fix it – the only thing is, the spare parts are back at his camp, a disused mine, quite a long drive away. He offers to tow them and waves away any question of payment. Relieved, they gratefully accept. The drive to the camp takes hours; when they finally arrive they are glad to cook a meal and drink some of the fresh water that Mick thoughtfully provides; he gets to work on the car while his guests fall asleep.

When Liz wakes up the next day she is bound and gagged in one of the miner’s huts. She manages to free herself and, leaving the hut, sees the stripped car and Ben’s blood-stained sleeping bag. Then she hears screams coming from one of the other buildings and, peering inside, finds Kristy being tortured by Mick, the corpse of his last victim hanging on the wall. Liz rather cleverly starts a fire using meths from the camping stove and, while Mick is distracted, sneaks in to free Kristy.

A few weeks ago I was surprised and dismayed by how much I enjoyed The Devil’s Rejects. My reaction to Wolf Creek reassures me that I’m neither sick nor twisted. This is a nasty piece of filmmaking that leaves a horrid taste in your mouth. A fairly long preamble sets up Ben, Kristy and Liz’s characters; we see them hanging out, chatting and getting drunk, see the growing attraction between Liz and Ben – all quite enjoyable if slightly mundane. This serves to enhance the random nature of the nightmare they find themselves in later – without giving too much away, we grow to like the characters and identify with them, so watching Kristy being tormented and threatened with rape for what felt like ten minutes felt almost unbearable and exploitative. Later, in a scene involving a machete, most of the audience had their hands over their eyes. Kristy and Liz’s fear and terror is almost too real.

Excellent dvd had a great time watching it was delivered fast and on time thanks :) very pleased with the item.

Being based on a true story, or as much as it can be, this is possibly one of the most disturbing films you are likely to see.
It is brilliantly scripted, acted and directed and contains a minimum of gore, but the environment of the film is quite mortifying yet realistic.
A recommended film but not for the faint-hearted.

I purhcased this after I returned from a 5 week visit to Oz and am I glad I didn't watch it before hand! It is a real horror movie with great Character development and a gripping storyline. It is based on real life events which makes it even more chilling. A great movie to watch if anyone has ever done any travelling.

I decided to buy it because I thought it sounded like a thriller,it was but it was spoit for us by all the violence and blood. Gave it away having watched it once.

I ORDERED THIS PRODUCT BEFORE FROM E-BAY AND IT NEVER SHOWED UP SO RE-ORDERED FROM THIS E-BAY, TOOK OVER A WEEK TO GET HERE, BUT I UNDERSTAND FROM THE SELLER THIS WAS DOWN TO THE POST OFFICE RETURNING THE PARCEL TO HER.

Not the greatest "horror" movie but OK I suppose. There is too much of a long story at the beginning, also the acting is quite poor. Wouldn't recommend.

Nothing like the gore of 'Hostel' or indeed of the similar 'Wrong Turn' but a decent movie nonetheless.

I think it was fairly low budget but it doesn't show. A really well shot film that will put you off of the outback forever.

I had wanted to see this film for some time. It was ok, but not as good as I thought it would be. Still enjoyable though. NOT such a true story as is made out to be, I researched the film on the net after I had watched it.

Was doing my usual surfing for cehap DVD's one day when I came across this one. It was cheap sounded ok and I decided to take a gamble (cost me 6p).

Watched It that night and thought It was brilliant. Has everything a horror film should, Kept me on the edge of my seat all the way through.

A definate buy for anyone wanting to scare themselves silly. Watch it at night on your own with the lights off, You wont go out for a week.

Richard

One of those films that stands out above the rest. A truley gripping thriller that literaly has you perched on the edge of your seat.