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71
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War Zone, The

Generally favorable reviews
Based on 21 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 9 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie >
Movie Info
Genre(s): Drama
Written by: Alexander Stuart (also novel)
Directed by: Tim Roth
Release Date:
Theatrical: December 10, 1999
DVD: September 19, 2000
Running Time: 98 minutes, Color
Origin: UK
Summary
RATING: R for sexual content, some involving molestation, and for nudity, language and a scene of violence
Starring Ray Winstone, Tilda Swinton, Freddie Cunliffe, Lara Belmont, and Colin Farrell
For fifteen-year old Tom (Cunliffe), the war zone is at the heart of his seemingly happy middle-class family. Nothing can prepare him for the terrible secret that binds his father (Winstone) and his seventeen-year-old sister Jessie (Belmont). Isolated, confused and consumed by adolescent anger, Tom is determined to reveal the truth. (Lot 47 Films)
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database View The Trailer Official Studio Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Portland Oregonian Shawn Levy
A masterfully varied set of images, paces and moods.
Read Full Review >Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert
Brilliant and heartbreaking, takes place in the present but is timeless.
Read Full Review >Austin Chronicle Marc Savlov
Sellbinding, distressing, and possessed of a dark and terrible beauty.
Read Full Review >Boston Globe Jay Carr
In all respects, from choice of material to fullness of execution on every level, The War Zone is an extraordinary piece of work.
Read Full Review >New York Daily News Jack Mathews
Showing as much courage and talent behind the camera as he has while acting in front of it, Roth has crafted for his first film one of the most bluntly graphic and disturbing movies ever done on the subject.
Read Full Review >TV Guide Ken Fox
Actor Tim Roth's austere directing debut is one of the most difficult, emotionally wrenching experiences you're likely to have in a movie theater any time soon.
Read Full Review >Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman
Roth, there's no denying, creates considerable suspense out of our desire to confront the forbidden.
Read Full Review >San Francisco Chronicle Edward Guthmann
One of the most impressive actor-to-filmmaker transitions in recent years.
Read Full Review >Seattle Post-Intelligencer Paula Nechak
Sticks in the mind and simply won't go away.
Read Full Review >Village Voice Amy Taubin
We may not want another film about incest, but there's a necessity about this one that won't be denied.
Read Full Review >Mr. Showbiz Michael Atkinson
A brooding, stunningly realistic portrait of familial self-destruction that raises far more questions than it can possibly answer.
Read Full Review >New York Post Jonathan Foreman
A relentlessly grim, rather heavy-handed drama of family dysfunction.
Read Full Review >San Francisco Examiner Wesley Morris
Roth, though, is like a sociopathic arsonist, one enthralled with his ability to start little blazes and one who would even call the fire department, but wouldn't stick around to see whether anyone put them out.
Read Full Review >The New York Times Janet Maslin
The actor Tim Roth makes a fierce, disturbing directorial debut with a film that treats incest as something worse than a terrible secret.
Read Full Review >Film.com Moira Macdonald
Its grimness is so unrelenting that I can only recommend it to filmgoers who need a movie to tell them that incest is bad.
Read Full Review >LA Weekly John Patterson
Roth can obviously direct actors sympathetically, and he paces the movie adroitly.
Read Full Review >Los Angeles Times Eric Harrison
Much of its strength resides in the way it eschews narrative contrivance. The movie observes behavior without explaining or judging it.
Read Full Review >Film.com Ernest Hardy
Wrought with pretension -- and a blind eye to its own exploitation.
Read Full Review >Chicago Reader Lisa Alspector
The ultimately uncomplicated view of sexual and emotional violence in a family is only tragic, not insightful.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 8.6 (out of 10) based on 9 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
A B gave it an8:
Just came back from watching the movie and I was definitely pleased. I was a bit worried that I would be let down after reading some of the early reviews, my suspicious about the reviewers not understanding the character were confirmed though. Stevenson is a brilliant Frank Castle, the guy is a tank in this movie, shredding through his opposition just like a on screen manifestation of the character should. The critics complaining about the gore prove them unfit in being tasked with stepping anywhere near the film with a pencil and paper, doling out stars or thumbs. While Im afraid the film will not get the critical recognition it deservers, with the majority of critics not understanding the character, I as a fan of Castle say I'm thoroughly pleased by the work the entire cast and crew have put forth. While I agree that the movie was loyal to the source material and worth my dollars, there was one main area I think should have been retooled. Jigsaw and Jim's accent is over the top, and in the end took away from the character, especially in the case of Jim. At a glance Pros: Unapologetically Punisher Level Brutality Stevenson is a compelling Frank Castle Movie pacing is great Cons: Cliche accents Could have used some more dialogue from Frank Overall: 8/10 Bottom Line: If you are a punisher fan, you're in for a blast
Jay H. gave it a7:
A sensitive subject is ably handled by Tim Roth, very well directed. The writing is excellent as well. Good cinematography. It is a bit bleak at times. Fine performances all around.
Jonathan F. gave it a9:
This movie is excellent. The topic of this film is a hard one: sexual abuse in the family. I believe that more films on this topic should be made as it is an interesting aspect of society. Be prepared for hard visual acts of sexual abuse. If you come to this movie prepared you may be able to stand the horrible acts you are seeing. However, even if you come prepared, you might go out of this movie, feeling that weird feeling in your stomach. Tim Roth in his debut, is fine director, I would really like to see making more films. 9 of 10.
Kerrie W. gave it a 10:
Extremely powerful.I was rivetted!THIS is what it's REALLY like to experience incest (although mine was an uncle, not father, and I was much younger.) I felt SOMEONE has actually shown how it really is.Wish someone had stabbed my abuser for me-except I wouldn't wish that guilt on aqnyone. Well done Tim!!!
JOHN O S. gave it a 9:
Hard to seperate this and "Nil by mouth" truly great film making Tim lets be having you with another behind camera.
Greg gave it a 10:
Took a firend to see this film when it was released, just for support as i have been there in this situation. I wanted to say to tim and all the cast how much i respected them for the wonderful job they did with such a difficult and disturbing subject. I was hoping to email this personnaly to tim, if any one knows if he has some public email address i would be greatful for the info. I found the ending particularly relevent in that there is usually no happy ending to something like this, or at least on in the immediate term. at 37, i find the meaning in the ownership of the experience, as that is what it is. an experience. if any one would like to email me, my address is nicolson_greg@hotmail.com
Dirk G. gave it a 10:
Incredible movie, just see this one!!
