Nightwatch (1997)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Ole Bornedal

Writers (WGA):

Ole Bornedal (film Nattevagten)
Ole Bornedal (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

17 April 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

He's the prime suspect in a terrifying mystery. The police are after him and so is the murderer.

Plot:

Ewan McGregor plays a law student who takes a job as a night watchman at a morgue. He begins to discover...

Plot Keywords:

Morgue | Student | Corpse | Murder | Suspect

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Ewan McGregor	...	Martin Bells
Patricia Arquette	...	Katherine
Josh Brolin	...	James Gallman
Lauren Graham	...	Marie
Nick Nolte	...	Inspector Thomas Cray
Brad Dourif	...	Duty Doctor
Alix Koromzay	...	Joyce
Lonny Chapman	...	Johnson, Old Watchman
Erich Anderson	...	Newscaster
Scott Burkholder	...	College Professor
Michael Matthys	...	Guy in Pub
Alison Gale	...	Girlfriend of Guy in Pub
Robert LaSardo	...	Pub Thug
Mongo	...	Pub Thug
Candy Ann Brown	...	Female Paramedic

MPAA:

Rated R for strong, morbid violence, language, sexuality, and some drug content.

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

New Zealand:R18 | Singapore:M18 | Iceland:16 | Philippines:R-18 | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Chile:18 | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Japan:R | Netherlands:16 | Peru:18 | Portugal:M/18 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Dimension Films

Trivia:

The black and white picture of the guy on death row in the cabin is the same one used in the original version of this movie (Nattevagten (1994)).

Quotes:

Katherine: You had strange dreams last night.
Martin Bells: I did?
Katherine: Mmm. You were breathing really heavily. Kept kicking your legs and moaning.
Martin Bells: You sure we weren't having sex?
Katherine: Pretty sure. Yeah.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Zulu Late Night, Live!: (#1.1)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

Loops of Fury

Creepiest Movie That You Never Even Heard Of

This one of those little movies that never got much in the line of studio promotion or advertising budget. You might have seen it, single copy on the bottom of the Video Rental Shelf. You probably passed it by, assuming it was some 'straight to video' D-Grade Horror, or maybe some embarrassing first film of Ewan McGregors being resurrected to cash in on his new fame?

If you love creepy suspense thrillers than I bet you will be as surprised as i was. ITS GOOD!

I might have a psychological bias since I have worked in a morgue, but the cold wet atmosphere, chilling lighting and downright suspense had me creeped out and twitching all the way through.

Ewan McGregor is solid as always and a fantastic sympathetic character if there ever was one. I really have to say something about Josh Brolin here - what a great performance. A scene between him and Alix Koromzay (Joyce) was one of those amazing little scenes you cant forget! Let me also say something about Nick Nolte in this - FREAKY. Some might find his character 'too predictable' but I don't think you need to worry about finding out 'who done it' either, you just cringe and chill at how bloody creepy Nolte is!

Yes, this is somewhat campy and occasionally wry and I loved it - Brad Dourif makes something of a 'Cameo' (not really but with him it feels like it heh) and you gotta smile at that. It doesn't abuse the tongue in cheekiness though.. It really does take itself just seriously enough to win.

European to American Remakes often fall short but this time the same Director made both and well done! Direction was absolutely perfect for me and I found it clever enough and creepy enough to give it a very solid Seven out of Ten.

Definitely one of those 'Under-rated but surprisingly good!' movies and its a shame most people never saw it come and go!