Beyond the Limits (2003)

User Rating:

4.3/10   

Director:

Olaf Ittenbach

Writers:

Olaf Ittenbach (writer)
Thomas Reitmair (writer)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Plot:

The rookie journalist Vivian seeks Frederick, the caretaker of the oldest cemetery in an undefined country...

Plot Keywords:

Priest | Inquisition | Cemetery | Relic | Suitcase

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Darren Shahlavi	...	Dennis
Russell Friedenberg	...	Tom Brewster
Hank Stone	...	James Flynn
David Creedon	...	David Deming
Joe Cook	...	Paul Pattuchi
Christopher Kriesa	...	Frederick
Kimberly Liebe	...	Vivian
Natacza Boon	...	Annabelle Branagh
James Matthews	...	Jimmie Levinson (as James Matthew-Pyecha)
Simon Newby	...	Mortimer
Daryl Jackson	...	Robert Downing
Twin	...	Courtney
Saskia Lange	...	Marianne
Mehmet Yilmaz	...	Christopher
Matthias Rimpler	...	Brad

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

UK:18 (2005) | Japan:R-18 | Germany:18 (JK/SPIO) (cut) | Austria:18 | Germany:(Banned) | Germany:BPjM Restricted

Company:

IMAS Filmproduktion

What a Wild Ride!

Gee, where to begin? This movie is very bizarre and unique; it's not the plot that makes it unique, however, because the plot is quite simple. On one side of equation, there is a misterious... well, item, and on another side, there are people who get tortured and killed right and left in different and quite imaginative ways, because somebody wants this item very, very much.

So, like I said, the plot is simple, but the execution is quite sophisticated. The movie consists of 2 barely connected parts and takes us through modern and Medievil times, and then there is someone who combines the whole story and tells it to (you guessed it) a beautiful, female reporter.

So, how bizarre is it? Here is my take on this very unusual movie:

1. "Beyond the Limits" is one of the most violent, gory films I've ever seen in my entire life (and I've seen quite a few!)!

2. It's also THE MOST CREATIVE and professionally done gorefest I've ever seen.

3. Notwithstanding the previous comment, acting and dialogs in the first vignette are atrocious and over-the-top - totally B-movie material. At this point you will get confused, since you've been told this is not a B-movie (stay assured, it isn't, just wait for the second part). Besides, murders and tortures are so well done, you will forgive the filmmakers for this acting fiasco, guaranteed.

4. Since they didn't have enough money to hire professional actors for entire duration of the movie (just guessing here:), the second vignette is where the director makes it up to you in this department. I think it's flawless. Acting is terrific, and fight scenes will take your breath away.

5. The outline plot is subtle, and the end scene, albeit very strong, doesn't make too much of a sense, which, I must say, is perfect for this movie. The ending, somehow, reminded me of the ending of "Ronin" (with Robert De Niro).

6. The film had to have a fairly good budget, if only for all those special effects having been made so well, but obviously, not enough money went into marketing, which can explain why no one on this side of Atlantic ever heard of this movie, which is sad, sad, sad...

Final Thoughts.

The only reason, I don't call this movie a horror masterpiece is because of the laughable acting in the 1st part. Overall, I'll say, if you like the genre and have a strong stomach, find and see this movie -you'll be glad you did! 7 out of 10.