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The Retrieval

Play trailer Poster for The Retrieval R Released Mar 14, 2014 1h 34m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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93% Tomatometer 29 Reviews 73% 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

View All (29) Critics Reviews
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 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 Marjorie Baumgarten Austin Chronicle Ambitious as all get out, The Retrieval is an indie film production that belies its small budget. Rated: 3.5/5 May 1, 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

Audience Reviews

View All (40) audience reviews
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
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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