Audience Member
I was very dubious about watching this and rightfully so. I should have gone with my instincts. Some appalling stuff in this and quite strange too. Things just happen for no apparent reason and there's no real plot. The critics raved about this, but they must have been pretty warped.
Rated 1/5 Stars •
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
02/12/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Ghosts...Of the Civil Dead, I believe was well advanced in what the prison system, of today was to become, I have seen what they where like, from the 70s through to the 80s, 90s also into 2000s, for what it is worth, I found Ghosts...Of the Civil Dead to be spot on, based on reality and delivered, with great casting, I have to add...that I was also an extra in this movie, along with my younger brother, we played as our selves, I am also on the original DVD cover, I am the one with the thick beard and the eagle on my chest, my name is Roy Farrell, I was and still are very happy to have been, even as small a part I played, and the full size color poster of me, I am recognized all around the world, even long after I pass from this world, great movie....John Hillcoat, great story......!
Nick Cave, played as prisoner "Maynard' a sick minded criminal, was good, a little more than was needed, great score of music through out though.
David Field, I met dave on set, whilst doing a mock up role play of the prisoners starting a riot, I started it of when they said action...by grabbing David Field down the stairs and assaulting him like there was no tomorrow, they had to stop us I remember as it was thought to be a real fight, I guess, I will say well acted, my overall view of this movie...."GREAT MOVIE"
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/23/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Unsettling and at times repulsive, the film nevertheless brings a dark insight to bear which is as difficult to reconcile as it is to argue with.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/20/23
Full Review
Audience Member
One of the most disturbing films I've sat through. This is due to the exhaustive level of scenes depicting the raw reality of maximum security prisons. Not to mention John Hillcoat's fragmentary style, which gives us short vignettes full of brutality, cruelty, and utter destruction with voice over narration by indistinct voices, making it all the less personal. What is presented is, while difficult and grotesque, in many ways necessary because it brings to the mind the problem of how best to incarcerate our criminals and how best to treat them, and how easily both of these can go wrong. Overall, it was really well made, in fact, exceptionally well made for a first feature by John Hillcoat, who would later reteam with Nick Cave for another three films, each of them gritty, pulse-pounding, and ethereal nightmares.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/25/23
Full Review
Audience Member
It's quite an unique film, but uneasy to watch. The narration is quite different, the film techniques are extraordinary. I must say the screen play is somewhat scattered, with non-directional editing. The use of colour for the prison was pretty interesting, but the film failed to provide any entertainment. The film is, very Aussie indeed, but also very unrealistic (The character-Lily is kinda disturbing to watch)
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
02/01/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Interesting thematically. The effects let it down, I also found the Australian accents & acting somewhat grating. Cinematography good at times & terrible at others. An interesting low budget Australian take on the prison film. Good music including music from (& also acting by) Nick Cave.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
02/21/23
Full Review
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