Down by the Riverside (2007)

Directors:

Brad Davison
Marama Killen

Writers:

Brad Davison (writer)
Joe Hitchcock (original story)

Release Date:

2 November 2007 (New Zealand)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Who will survive?

Plot:

New Zealand 1920. Five pregnant, unwed girls are sent to a country house to have their children. Twenty years later, the horrific truth is discovered.

Plot Keywords:

New Zealand | Birth | Murder | Historian | Escape

Cast

Shane Burns	...	The Driver
Jo Eggleton	...	Mary
Lydia Farley	...	Sophie Andrews
Jordan-Leigh Foulds	...	Iris
Ross MacLeod	...	Sidney Harrison
Katya McGeady	...	Young Amelia
Luke McPake	...	Benny Johnson
Axle Ness	...	Walter Cardiff
Lyn Renwick	...	The Nurse
Shelley Riddle	...	Anna
Toby Sharpe	...	Owen Smith
Rebecca Trelease	...	Amelia
Maia Wharawhara	...	Kahu

Also Known As:

Revelation 4:11 (New Zealand: English title) (working title)

Runtime:

New Zealand:84 min

Country:

New Zealand

Language:

Maori | English

Color:

Color | Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

New Zealand:M

Filming Locations:

Te Aroha, Waikato, New Zealand

Company:

Downending Films

Trivia:

The fan in Owen's office was created as an editing afterthought, as something to cut away to during the scene. The fan shot is completely 3D generated and animated.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: A modern car is visible in one shot through a background window, in an early scene in the dining room.

Quotes:

[from trailer]
Owen Smith: They found the wife easy enough, that was no problem, she was in the living room with 18 stab wounds to her chest, it was the children they couldn't find. They spent ages looking, weeks, and almost gave up the search. Till an officer went back to the house, and smelt something odd coming from the fireplace. Looked up the chimney, he'd jammed the two children up there.
Amelia: Fortunately for us they found all the bodies...

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in Behind the Riverside (2007) (V)

Soundtrack:

Taonga Puoro

Bad Movie, Great DVD.

I really wanted to like this, but I got a 'Bad Movie Night' contender instead. First of all, congratulations to the directors-producer team for getting this DVD made, because although the movie itself is a bit of a train wreck, it's packaging is excellent. There's a director's commentary and an extensive range of extras, including a witty 'making of' documentary which explains the palpable lack of chemistry between the lead actors (they detested each other). The highly enjoyable directors' commentary has them making light of their own epic; a classic case of desired aims not being met and compromises made to get the movie completed. In the end, the movie's unlikely story, amateurish acting and uneven direction make it a textbook 'bad movie', but in light of the rest of the DVD package, a most enjoyable one.