This movie is a retread of every grunt back from the war and scarred for life film you have ever scene. It was interesting seeing my favorite Australian TV actors in the jungles playing war, but the plot is so by the numbers...if you have NEVER seen a returned scarred from war flick, this might be for you. If you have, skip it.
21 Reviews
Into the Heart of Darkness
lavatch6 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
There could have been a much better title than "Escape and Evasion." The film was derivative of Joseph Conrad's novel "Heart of Darkness" in the mission of the protagonist to put an end to a monomaniacal rogue commander who lost his equilibrium in the heart of darkness of nineteenth-century Africa.
There was an outstanding performance by the lead actor playing Seth, who sustained the intensity of the commander tasked with locating and killing the deranged Carl Boddi. Another intriguing character was the crusty and world-weary Pennyshaw, the mastermind of the Seth's mission.
A shortcoming of the film was the weak grounding in the geopolitical realities of Myanmar where the Seth's mission occurred. At a time when there is a persecution of the Rohingya people, the filmmakers played loose with the facts in the fictionalized tale of atrocities committed by Boddi. The true story needed to be told.
It seemed like a stretch for a romantic relationship to develop between Seth and the journalist twin sister of Josh, who died on Seth's mission. Rebecca was appalled to learn that Seth had essentially abandoned her brother. Then, all seemed to be well again with Seth and Rebecca commiserating at Josh's funeral. At one point, someone should have said the line, "the horror! The horror!", especially when the main intent of the film emerged as a plea to deal with the horrors of PTSD.
There was ambiguity in the character of Seth, whose explosive temper led him to kill a child. His shooting of a member of his team was ironic in that he was PREVENTING his subordinate from killing another child! It was small consolation to the self-loathing Seth that he was the only survivor after a journey into the heart of dearkness.
There was an outstanding performance by the lead actor playing Seth, who sustained the intensity of the commander tasked with locating and killing the deranged Carl Boddi. Another intriguing character was the crusty and world-weary Pennyshaw, the mastermind of the Seth's mission.
A shortcoming of the film was the weak grounding in the geopolitical realities of Myanmar where the Seth's mission occurred. At a time when there is a persecution of the Rohingya people, the filmmakers played loose with the facts in the fictionalized tale of atrocities committed by Boddi. The true story needed to be told.
It seemed like a stretch for a romantic relationship to develop between Seth and the journalist twin sister of Josh, who died on Seth's mission. Rebecca was appalled to learn that Seth had essentially abandoned her brother. Then, all seemed to be well again with Seth and Rebecca commiserating at Josh's funeral. At one point, someone should have said the line, "the horror! The horror!", especially when the main intent of the film emerged as a plea to deal with the horrors of PTSD.
There was ambiguity in the character of Seth, whose explosive temper led him to kill a child. His shooting of a member of his team was ironic in that he was PREVENTING his subordinate from killing another child! It was small consolation to the self-loathing Seth that he was the only survivor after a journey into the heart of dearkness.
From a AUSTRALIAN soldier!
paulzernick7 March 2020
Disgusted. Fictional rubbish. Oh, did I mention I'm an ex grunt. 25yrs worth. Should I at this point mention I was in SF for half of that. At no time did we ever go to Burma either in my grunt or SF time in the ADF! At no time have we ever sustained casualties with the B-Movie premise of being the "lone survivor". This makes a mockery of everything our soldiers have done. Yes fictional liberties can be taken, but atleast put it in the backdrop against actual work and missions being undertaken by our brave and selfless ADF personnel serving. Disgusted! Where the hell was the military advisors role in this. Should be sacked. Next time get someone with an ounce of experience in SF. Ashamed!
National Treasure
nogodnomasters3 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Seth (Josh McConville) In an "unhinged" former Australian special ops with PTSD. He was the lone survivor of a squad in Burma. Journalist Rebecca Stansberry gets the message her twin brother was killed on that mission. She seeks out Seth to find closure.
There are some war and killing scenes, but overall the film was boring. It appears it was attempting to convey a message made by others and better.
Guide: F-word. Male rear nudity.
There are some war and killing scenes, but overall the film was boring. It appears it was attempting to convey a message made by others and better.
Guide: F-word. Male rear nudity.
Appalling
markmclews26 April 2021
Absolute cliched garbage, laughable!
Only made worse by that horrid NZ actor/actress being in it!
No wonder the principle character/soldier suffers PTSD, he retired to the Gold Coast for christ's sake, that would do it to anybody!
Absolutely dreadful on all levels!
Only made worse by that horrid NZ actor/actress being in it!
No wonder the principle character/soldier suffers PTSD, he retired to the Gold Coast for christ's sake, that would do it to anybody!
Absolutely dreadful on all levels!
The Real Rambo
pkdyer196516 December 2019
I love Australia & World Films and TV they are a lot more realistic than the US BS that claims to be the truth.
One Soldier's story about being sent on a mission to Myanmar and dealing with the trauma and guilt back in the real world.
A reporter delves into the truth about what happened to her brother on the mission.
A very realistic depiction of how the horrors of war can impact on the family life.
Very well acted by Josh Mcconville and well supported by Bonnie Sveen and Jessi Robertson.
Is like a rambo returns
SlightlyMe12 December 2019
I really like this movie.
It is a gritty, grimy, brutal perspective of a war in the burmese jungles.
A passable performance by Josh McConville as the troubled soldier.
It has everything in it and as such never really achieves anything. Can't help but feel it's more a Storm Ashwood showcase than film....
but it's a good showcase, definitely worth a go.
but it's a good showcase, definitely worth a go.
Laughable plot and sub-standard acting
contactmaz12 December 2019
Interesting, real life and visually appealing
melissahmcgrath16 December 2019
This is a very good movie depicting post traumatic stress of returned soldiers. The main Actor does a great job. Not a big American production, but certainly a decent effort for an Australian feature film. Worth a view
Pretty Good, worth the watch
patmg-9453925 May 2022
Well shot and visually appealing (besides the small amount of CGI)
Good script, acting and plot.
The writing and props could use improvement, some impractical scenes and guns/kit decisions.
All in all a pretty good fiction war movie with a good message about awareness of PTSD and unlike many movies that try to bring light to PTSD it avoids being cheesy and using worn out clichés.
The writing and props could use improvement, some impractical scenes and guns/kit decisions.
All in all a pretty good fiction war movie with a good message about awareness of PTSD and unlike many movies that try to bring light to PTSD it avoids being cheesy and using worn out clichés.
Simply trash!
scoulter-2323222 April 2021
Saved itself from the acting and script
matty_mushroom198318 April 2021
Yeah I gave it an 8, even with the acting and script. Not that I could find too many issues with them but I've grown weary of Aussie drama template.
That being said, how 'bout that portrayal or a ptsd stricken ex soldier who's memory is poisoned his guilt, tho'?
Some sh(poop)y things happen in life, let alone at war, and people do those things. This film does not shy away from that fact. The protagonist isn't a hero (he has a far guiltiest conscience than I can imagine carrying around) but he does have the right intentions
Definitely give it a go.
That being said, how 'bout that portrayal or a ptsd stricken ex soldier who's memory is poisoned his guilt, tho'?
Some sh(poop)y things happen in life, let alone at war, and people do those things. This film does not shy away from that fact. The protagonist isn't a hero (he has a far guiltiest conscience than I can imagine carrying around) but he does have the right intentions
Definitely give it a go.
Be Bored, or Be Boring!
juliancooper-935-7570519 April 2021
This film has one sort of half decent action/fighting scene. One sex scene without boobies. And then just some boring story about a bloke battling with the relationship he has with his daughter and ex wife.
Honestly, this movie looks like it was made just so the producers could put some text in at the end about the treatment of PTSD for veterans.
The acting was on par with low budget Australian films. I actually yawned a few times watching this piece of crap - cements my choice to avoid Australian films, always! Crap. Crap. Crap.
Go buy a notepad with nothing written in it, and read it a dozen times - you'll get more joy there than watching this utterly useless waste of time (MY TIME!!!!!), money, effort, and oxygen.
Honestly, this movie looks like it was made just so the producers could put some text in at the end about the treatment of PTSD for veterans.
The acting was on par with low budget Australian films. I actually yawned a few times watching this piece of crap - cements my choice to avoid Australian films, always! Crap. Crap. Crap.
Go buy a notepad with nothing written in it, and read it a dozen times - you'll get more joy there than watching this utterly useless waste of time (MY TIME!!!!!), money, effort, and oxygen.
Unwatchable
pilot100921 January 2022
Bad on ALL levels.....
madrock-8062230 November 2021
Owen submachine gun sighting?
gmqgvbfg18 June 2021
This was a pretty terrible movie but I think I spied an Owen submachinegun (might be wrong) in a couple of scenes. I couldn't watch the whole movie because there were so many things that were unbelievable. But since the Owen was an Aussie weapon, I suppose it's possible the production could have found one for the movie. Not a great reason to watch the movie for sure but just an aside really.
A must watch! Loved it!
ebenbanban8 March 2020
Josh McConville is so good. A Myanmar (Burmese) being in Aussie, watching this film and hearing Josh McConville speaking Myanmar (Burmese) language is like fantastic. I can relate to some of the scenes that happen in the film. From start to finish, the film is amazing.
Depiction of PTSD
megan_gummer5 January 2021
I loved this Movie , The movie is about PTSD more than it is supposed to be about the actual facts surrounding a tour of duty . If I want to know about those things I'd watch a doco . So to those who think they are being helpful giving a crap review because it doesn't reflect their own experiences or tour of duty glad I didn't listen to you . I thought it a great Movie
How do you watch the movie
trisha-1727020 December 2019
So many many mixed reviews
LionsLord24 April 2021
I really enjoyed this film. Yes it's fictional and doesn't follow and historical facts, but it's still great.
Go into the film expecting a drama not an action film, expecting emotions and psychology and not Rambo and you'll enjoy it too.
Go into the film expecting a drama not an action film, expecting emotions and psychology and not Rambo and you'll enjoy it too.
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