The Bunker (2001)
By: Markus Zussner on July 12, 2007. 
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| Imagine Entertainment (Australia). Region 4, PAL. 1.85:1 (16:9 enhanced). English DD 2.0. 87 minutes |
| The Movie |
| Cover Art |
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| Credits |
Director: Rob Green
Starring: Jason Flemyng, Charley Boorman, John Carlisle, Jack Davenport, Andrew Lee Potts, Chris Fairbank, Andrew Tiernan, Eddie Marsan, Simon Kunz
Screenplay: Clive Dawson
Music: Russell Currie Tagline: The evil is within
Country: UK |
It's world war two and a bunch of elite German soldiers from the 'Panzer Division' are in serious trouble. On the Belgium border they are being pursued by the relentless American allied forces, and are forced to reteat to an anti-tank bunker manned only by an old man and a young boy. The fleeing soldiers lock themselves inside the bunker and try to figure out what their next move is, which is probably not to kill one another as they are not really the best of buddies. It's like a whole bunch of really bad kids in detention who would beat each other to death if they had half a chance. Low on ammo and with no place to escape to, things are starting to look even grimmer for our hapless soldiers. Internal bickering and feuding escalates and the enemy is close to knocking on the door, and what's more, there's something horrible sealed off in the tunnels under the bunker that really wants out. The only escape route for the soldiers is the underground tunnels which puts them between a crack and a hard place. It only takes one fatigued soldier to lose his nut entirely and break into the tunnels below to unwittingly unleash the evil trapped within. An evil that has been simmering away patiently in the death pits lined with countless skeletons and mummified bodies; the remains of victims from the black plague which ravaged Europe in the 17th century. Beware, the gates of hell are about to open underneath The Bunker and unleash its nameless horror on all those who dare to venture in.
Jason Flemyng leads an excellent cast of British actors as our likeable hero which he plays with a serene calm, but it's Andrew Tiernan who plays 'Schenke' the overly patriotic, propaganda brainwashed, pill popping Nazi who steals the show with his uber-awesome 'love to hate' and supremely nasty performance.
The only let down was that the movie pulled its punches, and in this I mean that it did not explore the evil lurking underneath the bunker to the fullest. I wanted to know more about it, but Director Rob Green tends to only scratch the surface.
Not really bloody or gory, and it doesn't need to be, The Bunker boasts a chilling atmosphere, suspense and an excellent cast and script. The unique setting, subject matter and historical backdrop make for a very interesting and unsettling watch. If you have ever seen The Keep or Below and enjoyed these films, then The Bunker is definitely for you. |
| Video |
| Great clarity of depth. Great use of shadows. I talk about shadow use a lot but I really feel that it is important in the horror genre. Most of the scenes are set in the dark or are dimly lit but you're not going to have a problem seeing anything thanks to the crisp 1.85:1 transfer. It's all nice and clear and there's no grain. |
| Audio |
| 2.0 Dolby Digital sound. Nice crystal clear sound, with no audio hiss or hum. No complaints, except it would've been better in 5.1. |
| Extra Features |
We get a trailer, an audio commentary with director Rob Green, along with a 23 minute Making of Documentary. This is quite an informative featurette, featuring interviews with the entire cast, director Rob Green and producer Daniel Figuero. Also an in-depth look at the set design of the Bunker itself from pre-conception to completion.
Two Deleted Scenes - 'About the Ambush' and 'Death Trap' and 'Schenke's Story', a 5 minute extended scene, conclude the selection. |
| The Verdict |
| Classy, moody, atmospheric, suppressing and bleak and a nicely paced action horror. If you need to get away from the cabin in the woods; the dusty old town or preadolescent teenage party bullshit, then go underground with The Bunker. Watch it in the basement for full effect. |
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