The Last Confession of Alexander Pearce

The Last Confession of Alexander Pearce blew me away... it is by far the most intense piece I've seen in ages. Not in the least gruesome or hard to watch - on the contrary, it is beautifully shot and paced, with a haunting soundtrack and scenery out of this world. You could have heard a pin drop at the preview screening at Clones Film Festival this year. Excellent performances from Ciaran McMenamin, Adrian Dunbar and the rest of the cast. And a true story of complete desperation at the end of the world. The last taboo.... I couldn't decide if the film should have been longer or if I'd seen enough after barely an hour. I believe the latter to be the case - it packs such a punch in such a short time and is so well edited that it's job is well and truly done.

Alexander Pearce was not a hero, he was not a character that you immediately feel sorry for; but he was a man who lived in the most desolate penal colony in Australia. A man driven to escape from the cruelty he endured. A man who yearned for his freedom and would do anything to survive the harshness of his surrounds. The documentary is cleverly driven by narration from the man who he confessed to, a Catholic priest and fellow Irishman. It captures the ruggedness of the bush, the desperation of the human condition and the cruel and barbarous English occupation of Tasmania. The Last Confession of Alexander Pearce is a well paced, well told and captivating confession of cannibalism.

This is the story of Alexander Pearce, an Irish Convict taken to Australia by the British.

The story is a gripping tale about survival and hunger amongst a group of convicts.

A story that will surely make one sit back and wonder if they would do the same thing given the same circumstances.

The story of Alexander Pearce will have you stuck to your seat, but at the same time, may have you running for the nearest bathroom.

A truly fascinating and well acted story.

Recommended!

This movie shows us all what we already know deep down. No one can judge someone else's actions unless he or she has been in the same situation. That's why people should always be careful when claiming "I could/would never do *whatever action*". I can't agree more with Philip Conolly's words:

"The world is always easier understood held at a distance with tales of monsters and the like." and "A full belly is prerequisite to all manner of good. Without that no man knows what hunger will make him do."

Beautiful nature shots, good music, great acting, great story. It's rather short though but isn't that just the charming Irish, strong, silent type way of doing things? :)

Definitely recommended.