The Retrieval

R

Released Mar 14, 2014

1h 34m

History

Drama

List

93%

29 Reviews

Tomatometer

73%

500+ Ratings

Audience Score

During the Civil War, a boy (Ashton Sanders), who has been sent to lure a freedman (Tishuan Scott) back to the South, forms an unexpected bond with the man.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Oct 04

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Rent The Retrieval on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

leonardo j

Beautiful movie! It's awesome to see how the friendship between Will and Nate grows as they are looking for Nate's brother. How Nate takes care of Will as his own son. And the horrible conflict that arises inside Will.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Great film. The actors are superb. Takes you on an emotional rollercoaster. Just make sure you have a tissue handy. I would suggest this film to anyone.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Despite knowing it is wrong, doing what has to do to be alive and make some money. This is not a great film from a great director and writer, not even based on the real, just a simple road drama, yet very powerful. Though how do you look at it makes all the impact. The title says it all, it takes place in the year 1864, about a teen African-American boy who partnered with another man to help the bounty hunters to catch their target. One such mission is to retrieve a man from far away place and how they are going to do it the story speaks intensely. It looks a bit like 'Slow West' because of the journey the main characters make, but it is different and quite interesting. I don't know anybody from this film, but I'm pleased with their character executions. The boy was at his best, I don't know he would win any award for it, but mentioning and appreciating him is at least the right thing to do. Because a small film like this won't get much attention other than critics through film festivals. So I saw it and I'm glad I saw it. It was much better than other similar films. Realistic approach was the highlight. During the civil war and lots of casualties happened around, this little adventure of three was told better than I anticipated. Being an African-American at that time of the United States was not very fortunate. It just reveals the actual atmosphere and other related stuffs how difficult it was then. It started off like some kind of a serious bounty hunting story and then slowed in the remaining parts, until the final sequence to get emotional. Does not feel like a fictional tale, definitely a small gem. I think feeling it should have been a bit better is normal, but overall I'm satisfied and recommend it for those who wants a good B movie. 6.5/10

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Extremely slow and extremely boring

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Excellent movie. You do not see what's coming many times in the film.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

What a moving film, I literally balled crying like a baby at the end of this film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Chris Eska

Director

Ashton Sanders

Will

Tishuan Scott

Nate

Keston John

Marcus

Bill Oberst Jr.

Burrell

Christine Horn

Rachel

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

0%

52%

Freedom

78%

48%

The Beguiled

TRAILER

for The Beguiled

97%

85%

Mudbound

TRAILER

for Mudbound

88%

71%

Lady Macbeth

TRAILER

for Lady Macbeth

85%

60%

The Immigrant

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

The Americans Season 4, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Season 2, and More Available to Stream on Netflix and Amazon Prime

New on DVD & Blu-Ray: John Wick, Dracula Untold, Ouija, and More

Critics Consensus: Captain America: The Winter Soldier is Certified Fresh

View more photos

Shadow and Act Staff

Shadow and Act

Chris Eska’s resonant, gem of a film, just his second feature, is a well-researched and relevant drama.

Sep 13, 2022

Full Review

Michael Sragow

Orange County Register

The Retrieval's potency transcends its scope. It shows you, in microcosm, the sacrifices that forge the conscience not only of a boy, but of a nation.

Rated: A

May 15, 2014

Full Review

Betsy Sharkey

Los Angeles Times

"The Retrieval" comes at you like a haunting slip of a memory, one that writer-director Chris Eska retrieves from a mostly forgotten era in unforgettable ways.

May 15, 2014

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

A low-key gem.

Rated: 3.5/4.0

Sep 21, 2020

Full Review

Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

A resonant and haunting coming of age narrative that's as adeptly written as it is performed.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 29, 2019

Full Review

John Fink

The Film Stage

The film is subtle at times, yet provides an intense depiction of internal destruction, betrayal and sacrifice.

Rated: A-

Jun 6, 2016

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

During the Civil War, a boy (Ashton Sanders), who has been sent to lure a freedman (Tishuan Scott) back to the South, forms an unexpected bond with the man.

Director: Chris Eska
Producer: Alan Berg, Tom Borders, Sibyl Avery Jackson
Screenwriter: Chris Eska
Distributor: Variance Films
Production Co: Sixth Street Films
Rating: R (Some Violence)
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 14, 2014, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $50.3K
Runtime: 1h 34m

Most Popular at Home Now