The War Zone

1999

1h 38m

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

173

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Drama

An alienated teenager, saddened that he has moved away from London, must find a way to deal with a dark family secret.

Directors

Tim Roth

Writers

Alexander Stuart(writer by)

Alexander Stuart(novel by)

Stars

Freddie Cunliffe

Lara Belmont

Ray Winstone

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Trailer
Watch The War Zone (1999) | Trailer | Film4

Top cast

Tom

Jessie

Dad

Mum

Lucy

Carol

Baby Alice

Nick

Barman

Nurse

Directors

Tim Roth

Writers

Alexander Stuart(writer by)

Alexander Stuart(novel by)

All cast & crew

Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Darkness in Devon. Tim Roth dons the directing hat for the first time and brings to the screen a shattering tale of incest and child abuse. Alexander Stuart adapts from his own novel and it stars Ray Winstone, Lara Belmont, Freddie Cunliffe and Tilda Swinton. Story is about a family who have moved from London to the Devonshire coast. The son, Tom, is unhappy and feels alienated in the new surroundings, but when he discovers a dark family secret, things become much much worse. It's an uncomfortable viewing experience at times, making it a film you don't readily recommend, but Roth's approach to the story gives out a powerful message without exploitation or sermonising. The script is deliberately taut and sparse, while the marrying up of the crashing waves and jagged rocks of the locale with the emotional turmoil is a deft piece of directing. The use of newcomers Belmont and Cunliffe add a potent sense of realism to the whole thing, aided no end by an intelligent screenplay that doesn't go for conventionality. Quite simply it's an unforgettable film, a claustrophobic emotional battering ram of celluloid. 9/10

John Chard28 Feb, 2016