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Van Diemen's Land

Play trailer Poster for Van Diemen's Land 2009 1h 44m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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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

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Jake Wilson The Age (Australia) 09/24/2009
3/5
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. Go to Full Review
David Stratton The Australian 09/21/2009
4/5
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. Go to Full Review
Simon Foster sbs.com.au 08/09/2010
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. Go to Full Review
David Cairns Electric Sheep 05/06/2010
In its evocation of a bleak, hostile environment in which even the meanest cannot eke out an existence, it packs a bloody punch. Go to Full Review
Jason Di Rosso MovieTime, ABC Radio National 09/24/2009
There's no doubting the premise held great high-concept horror possibilities, but the end result is surprisingly bloodless despite some close-range gore. Go to Full Review
Colin Newton Courier Mail (Australia) 09/22/2009
2.5/5
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. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Oaklee D @ODie63 Mar 15 A horrifyingly bleak retelling of the true story of Alexander Pearce, this film is not for the faint of heart but it is well worth the watch. See more delysid d 02/12/2021 refreshing to see a movie that's not a CGI hollywood remake See more 06/05/2016 Extremely slow and boring for most of the film. See more brendan n 05/10/2015 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. See more 12/10/2014 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. See more 06/28/2013 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! See more Read all reviews
Van Diemen's Land

My Rating

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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