Darklands - L'ultime sacrifice

SURPRISINGLY diverting horror thriller set in Wales and prompting a terrific performance from Cliffhanger's Craig Fairbrass as a reporter lured into a mire of pagan rituals and the occult by svelte 'trainee journalist' Rowena King. Before he knows it, he's up to his neck in pigs blood and human sacrifices. The pace builds relentlessly till he's caught - literally - on a one-way train to hell and damnation!

It's a really boring film, but has it's highlights! The first hour of the film sucks, but the last 30 minutes are moderately good. One cool thing is when the main character, Frazer, drives around with his girl and if you watch the background they pass a power plant (some factory) and just a few seconds later they are going backwards passing the exact place again, but reverse... *lol* =) Anyway, the ending is cool too, I'm not going to spoil anything, but it does not end like most film does! =) Best regards, /Janne

An interesting take on the concept of getting Welsh National Film Council grant to make a film that made the Welsh look rather like COMPLETE LOONS!

I had no idea to expect before watching the film, and a quick look at IMDb had me worried, especially as two of the main characters who had allegedly only just met were shagging by day 2 of the plot.

The Welsh journalist has a dodgy east-end geezer accent, there are several inconsistencies in the story ("take him to room six, i will be along in a minute" - he is put in room 4).. but although kind of predictable, more than slightly cheesy, possibly quite tasteless and definitely lacking in any depth of plot; somehow a reasonably watchable sort of horror/shocker film does manage to fall out the far end.

The druidy types come in subspecies of hippy druidy girls, madmax meets punk blokes, strange beardy cardigan wearing gypsies on a caravan site, steel workers, the NHS, the local police, the council... in fact, the whole town bar the mad priest appears to be plotting a sacrifice....

Not much one poor reporter can do in the face of so much adversity, but he tries....

Horror fans, as well as drama and suspense fans will really appreciate this low budget, yet well thought-out film. Whilst containing references, in tribute, to some of the best movies made, it is still a highly original and intelligent movie, raising questions about paganism and Welsh culture. The ritual scenes are very atmospheric and beautifully shot. There are some great "jump-out-of-your-seat" moments, especially as you really start to become drawn in to this film. Some well-respected and accomplished actors featured, who also help make it more than just another low-budget horror flick. Refreshing and highly recom

Despite all of the feverish accolades on the box, I found this to be a conventional and dull film. The few scenes of the pagan ritual might be disturbing were there not some sub-portishead music playing on the soundtrack the entire time.The scenes of the gypsys living outside the power plant were grimy and creepy. I was very annoyed by the fact that this film compared itself to the great "The Wicker man." while that film was an attack on Christianity and organized religion, this film seems to just be about how bad and evil the religous cult is which I found kind of silly and reactionary.