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The Retrieval

Play trailer Poster for The Retrieval R 2014 1h 34m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
93% Tomatometer 29 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
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.
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The Retrieval

Critics Reviews

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Shadow and Act Staff Shadow and Act 09/13/2022
Chris Eska’s resonant, gem of a film, just his second feature, is a well-researched and relevant drama. Go to Full Review
Betsy Sharkey Los Angeles Times 05/15/2014
"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. Go to Full Review
Marjorie Baumgarten Austin Chronicle 05/01/2014
3.5/5
Ambitious as all get out, The Retrieval is an indie film production that belies its small budget. Go to Full Review
Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com 09/21/2020
3.5/4.0
A low-key gem. Go to Full Review
Nicholas Bell IONCINEMA.com 08/29/2019
3/5
A resonant and haunting coming of age narrative that's as adeptly written as it is performed. Go to Full Review
John Fink The Film Stage 06/06/2016
A-
The film is subtle at times, yet provides an intense depiction of internal destruction, betrayal and sacrifice. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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leonardo j @Leojim 07/12/2020 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. See more 03/25/2020 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. See more 09/01/2016 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 See more 08/25/2016 Extremely slow and extremely boring See more 07/13/2016 Excellent movie. You do not see what's coming many times in the film. See more 05/01/2016 What a moving film, I literally balled crying like a baby at the end of this film. See more Read all reviews
The Retrieval

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Movie Info

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
Jason Wehling, Jacob Esquivel
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
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