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Below on DVD (2002)

Below cover art
Average rating: 59%
121582010612
3.0
from 518 members
 
Starring: Bruce Greenwood, Matthew Davis, Olivia Williams, Holt McCallany, Scott Foley
Director: David N. Twohy
Studio: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time: 101 mins
Certificate: 15
Collections: 100 Top Thrillers
Genres: Horror, Thriller
Languages: English
Released: 01/09/2003

Brief synopsis of Below

In 1943, the crew of the U.S.S. Tiger Shark, an American submarine in the Atlantic, rescues three survivors of a British hospital ship that came under German attack. One of the survivors, a nurse (Olivia Williams), raises tensions among the all-male crew from the moment she steps aboard. Commanding Officer Lieutenant Brice (Bruce Greenwood) does his best to keep the unruly crew in line, but after suffering damage from a barrage of Nazi depth charges (in a spectacular sequence) a series of increasingly spooky occurrences begin to rattle everybody aboard. A mysterious face that appears in the windows, a ghostly gramophone that plays a Benny Goodman record, and a corpse that seems to talk are just the beginning. Soon it is discovered that Captain Brice has not been entirely truthful regarding an accident that previously happened on the boat.
David Twohy's (PITCH BLACK) unique submarine thriller skillfully combines the conventions of the War and Haunted House genres, using a keen eye for detail to create a very believable and claustrophobic world. Based on a script by Darren Aronofsky and Lucas Sussman (rewritten by Twohy), BELOW doesn't rely on cheap scares. Its supernatural element is secondary to a forceful tale of danger at sea.

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Rated - 5 starssuspense....claustrophobia

A customer from Newport..Wales , 29/10/2003

A very entertaining movie ,starts well and keeps up the pace.

Is it oxygen depravation..or something else.

keeps you guessing.

Lots of action

  17 out of 18 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 4 starsGood submarine ghost story

Andrew from London , 31/01/2004

Enjoyable old-fashioned ghost story, on a submarine. Nice noir lighting, excellently detailed set, more accurate period details than U571. Sure, cast were b-list, but they did well.

The ghost/horror element is nice and subtle, with good atmosphere and a brilliantly understated mirror trick.

If you enjoyed U571, Red October, Crimson Tide, Das Boot, K19 or any other of the sub genre, this is worth watching, and I preferred it to Pitch Black.

[This copy of the disk undamaged, so maybe they swapped it out. ]

  7 out of 7 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsOne of the best films I've seen in a good while !

Ms A from UK , 20/02/2004

Having not watched this movie till almost two years after it was released I only wish I'd seen it sooner!

Its a film that puts the viewer right into the action. The camera techniques and the atmosphere the director has been able to create are brilliant.

The storyline also works out well and all in all I found this a very enjoyable film to watch.

I recommended this to anyone who enjoys watching talented and well crafted directing !

  5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 4 stars

Penny#3 from CAMBRIDGE , 12/02/2004

Very atmospheric, this movie uses its WW2 submarine setting to claustraphobic and spooky effect. When three survivors are rescued from the scene of a torpedoed hospital ship, strange things start to happen. Good acting all round, especially from Bruce Greenwood as the skipper of the sub, who mentally unravels as past events catch up with him. The cast and director's commentary is funny and worth a listen, one you've seen the film.

  4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
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Most Recent Reviews

Rated - 5 starsOne of the best films I've seen in a good while !

Ms A from UK , 20/02/2004

Having not watched this movie till almost two years after it was released I only wish I'd seen it sooner!

Its a film that puts the viewer right into the action. The camera techniques and the atmosphere the director has been able to create are brilliant.

The storyline also works out well and all in all I found this a very enjoyable film to watch.

I recommended this to anyone who enjoys watching talented and well crafted directing !

  5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 3 starsSUPERNATURAL SUBMARINE SHOCKER MANAGES TO STAY AFLOAT

LEE CHALLENGER from Dudley,England , 04/05/2005

Sometimes you just can't beat a good old fashioned b-movie which is what BELOW is.It is a tale of revenge and retribution set during the battle for control of the planet's oceans during World War 2.A US Navy submarine comes across a stricken British Navy hospital

ship and picks up the survivors which includes the token female character of the film.Things then start to go a little strange on board the claustrophobic vessel as the crew try to reach land whilst avoiding the deadly German U-boats.The film is quite suspenseful and relies on subtle shocks which hold your attention as the story unfolds to reveal the dark secret that the officers of the submarine are trying to keep.

All in all not exceptional but worth seeing.

  2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
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