The Living and the Dead (2006)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

Simon Rumley

Writer:

Simon Rumley (writer)

Release Date:

24 October 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Terror by good intentions.

Plot:

A descent into Hell is triggered when "Ex-Lord" Donald Brocklebank finds that he must leave Longleigh...

Plot Keywords:

Barricade | Nurse | Hearse | Metastatic Sores | Toilet

Awards:

6 wins

Cast

Roger Lloyd-Pack	...	Donald Brocklebank
Leo Bill	...	James Brocklebank
Kate Fahy	...	Nancy Brocklebank
Sarah Ball	...	Nurse Mary
Neil Conrich	...	Policeman

Also Known As:

The Living in the Home of the Dead (UK) (working title)

Runtime:

Argentina:83 min | Germany:83 min (European Film Market)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Finland:K-15 | Germany:16 | Australia:MA (2008) | Argentina:13 | UK:18 | New Zealand:R18

Filming Locations:

England, UK

Company:

Giant Films

Trivia:

The film is dedicated to the memory of Sheila and David Rumley.

Quotes:

James: When you leave, I'm the one to look after our house, I'm the one to look after Mummy.

Too close for comfort

I found this film particularly painful to watch for entirely personal reasons.

First, I am an ex-psych nurse. I am currently a Social Care Worker dealing with some of the worst cases around. I am also mentally ill, though not critically so. As such this film touched home on just about every level.

This film is black and raw and real. The acting, especially of the son, is utterly superb very much akin to cases I have dealt with, which made the rapid descent all the more believable. I sat for a majority of the film thinking of just how easily this could really happen - and likely has happened many, many times.

There is an interesting quirk of time-line throughout, which highlights the reaction of the father to the actions of the son, which at its best involves a dual view of the stairwell. I felt this was something of a pivotal point and quite superb direction. The differing states of the building itself likewise reflect the state of the mother, which is again subtle but effective.

Do not expect a standard horror here. It isn't. It feels more like a snapshot of real lives and as such is vastly more effective than any straight horror flick could ever hope to be.

I would urge anyone with even a passing interest in mental health to watch this film. Consider it a warning of how easily the system can fail, and consider yourself forewarned.

That is all.