Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

Van Diemen's Land

Play trailer Poster for Van Diemen's Land 2009 1h 44m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
75% Tomatometer 8 Reviews 48% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
In 1822, Alexander Pearce (Oscar Redding) and seven other escaped convicts cross the Australian wilderness.

Critics Reviews

View All (8) Critics Reviews
Jake Wilson The Age (Australia) A bold attempt at a full-throttle Australian art movie, Van Diemen's Land disappoints mainly when it falls back on convention... the film is at its strongest when it shifts into an elemental realm and psychology falls away. Rated: 3/5 Sep 24, 2009 Full Review David Stratton The Australian Van Diemen's Land poses a formidable challenge for audiences, but it's a challenge well worth meeting and a film you're unlikely ever to forget. Rated: 4/5 Sep 21, 2009 Full Review Simon Foster sbs.com.au The Tasmanian landscape (and its stand-in Victorian equivalent) is a sight to behold in the 2:35 ratio. As the backdrop for acts of pure barbarism, it is a grey, horribly-beautiful vision of Hell. Aug 9, 2010 Full Review David Cairns Electric Sheep In its evocation of a bleak, hostile environment in which even the meanest cannot eke out an existence, it packs a bloody punch. May 6, 2010 Full Review Jason Di Rosso MovieTime, ABC Radio National There's no doubting the premise held great high-concept horror possibilities, but the end result is surprisingly bloodless despite some close-range gore. Sep 24, 2009 Full Review Colin Newton Courier Mail (Australia) The film is at times tasteless and unpalatable but the screenplay, based on four confessions Pearce gave after his capture, has a certain level of interest to it. Rated: 2.5/5 Sep 22, 2009 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (126) audience reviews
Justin K In my opinion, this is one of my favorite movies of all time. It is definitely very disturbing and difficult to watch at times! I think the acting and directorial style were really well done, though. It can move at a slow pace at times, but I think that helps with the buildup for some of the more gripping moments. Funny enough, I first watched this movie with a buddy of mine and we meant to just give it a quick peek before going to get some dinner. The movie was so captivating that we put off dinner and watched it all the way through while growing increasingly hungry. We definitely exchanged some awkward glances along the way and had some good laughs about the irony. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/11/23 Full Review delysid d refreshing to see a movie that's not a CGI hollywood remake Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/12/21 Full Review Audience Member Extremely slow and boring for most of the film. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review brendan n I enjoyed this film and the depiction of the Alexander Pearce escape, the film is beautifully shot and makes for a very uneasy watching. I notice one review stated that these men didn't even attempt fishing, in those days these lower class men knew no trade or how to survive. They only turned to murder and cannibalism out of desperation to survive the harsh Australian environment. This is a remarkable Australian film that deserves a wider audience, it is slow and definitely an indie aimed film. I don't praise Australian films enough so this is a tribute to our talent and resources, sadly it will avoid the masses and remain a hidden gem. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member A superb film. Gripping. Harrowing. Haunting. The entire cast give raw, honest and gripping performances. The direction and photography is stunning. The script mirrors the landscape and story. One of the best films to have ever come out of Australia; and showing a different side to the country than is usually presented. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member A very well made movie - top class in every respect, from the cinematography to the acting. The amazing cast often express so much with just their faces, often without uttering a word - great acting and direction. But be warned, have the anti-depressants or a bottle of something at the ready; this is not a happy movie. It is as bleak as the Tasmanian wilderness in winter. But it truly captures the horrors that these men went through after escaping Sarah Island in Tasmania's rugged Southwest. A masterpiece of film making. Warning: Not for the Die-Hard action fans! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Van Diemen's Land

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

Oranges and Sunshine 71% 70% Oranges and Sunshine Watchlist Freedom 0% 52% Freedom Watchlist The Work and the Glory: American Zion 50% 80% The Work and the Glory: American Zion Watchlist Hunger 90% 83% Hunger Watchlist TRAILER for Hunger Anonymous 47% 53% Anonymous Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis In 1822, Alexander Pearce (Oscar Redding) and seven other escaped convicts cross the Australian wilderness.
Director
Jonathan auf der Heide
Producer
Maggie Miles
Screenwriter
Jonathan auf der Heide, Oscar Redding
Production Co
Screen Australia, Inspiration Studios, Noise & Light
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 44m