Grand Prize of European Fantasy Film (Silver)
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Calvaire2004
The Ordeal
In the tradition of TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, PSYCHO and DELIVERANCE comes this chilling Belgian horror that pushes the limits of shock filmmaking. Director and co-writer Fabrice du Welz masterfully evokes a sense of deeply disturbing terror as Marc Stevens' world goes profoundly and utterly wrong. When Marc Stevens' car breaks down in the middle of the isolated backcountry, he is forced to seek refuge in a rural inn. However Bartel, the psychologically fragile innkeeper, has other plans for him, sadistic plans that will push him to the bounds of human pain and suffering.
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2 members like this review
Intense and violent. Truly frightening film. Kind of a European Hills Have Eyes. For fans of backwoods cult family movies, this is a top choice. You wont be disappointed.
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Starring
- Jackie Berroyer - Bartel
- Vincent Cahay - Stan Le Pianiste
- Jean-Luc Couchard - Boris
- Gigi Coursigny - Madame Langhoff
- Alfred David - Roland
- Alain Delaunois - Gáant
- Philippe Grand'Henry - Tomas Orton
- Brigitte Lahaie - Mademoiselle Vicky
- Marc Lefebvre - Lucien
- Laurent Lucas - Marc Stevens
- Johan Meys - Rosto
- Philippe Nahon - Robert Orton
- Jo Prestia - Fermier Mylène
- Romain Protat - Figurant Dans Le Bar #1
- Damien Waselle - Figurant Dans Le Bar #2
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Member Reviews (6)
top reviewer
Intense and violent. Truly frightening film. Kind of a European Hills Have Eyes. For fans of backwoods cult family movies, this is a top choice. You wont be disappointed.
2 members like this review
Belgium's answer to Donnie Osmond, Marc Stevens, has possibly the worst luck ever. First he's constantly sexually harassed by women nearly three times his age and then ends up with a broken down van whist on the run from them in a village clearly maintained by The League Of Gentlemen and Leatherface.
This is just the start of his downward spiralling run of misfortune...
Phenomenally dark, grim, disturbing, unforgettable and hilarious. This is one experience I continue to enjoy with great gusto on every viewing. Recommended fun for all the family.
1 member likes this review
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Fabrice du Welz clearly knows how to make a movie. This grim film is filled with style and is well crafted. The problem is that he has mistaken brutality for "scary." This film is not scary, just mean and perverse.
Rather mediocre entry in the Parisian (albeit Belgium) Neo Schlock horror genre.
A european Deliverance, disturbing, probably frankly true of mountain people who have undiagnosed bipolar disorders and/or schizophrenia. Well acted by the lead guy.
This little beauty from Belgium is seriously bizarre. Small time lounge singer driving to a Christmas show he’s booked has his van break down on a country road. So begins the nightmare before Christmas. A little bit Psycho, some Misery, stir in portion of Deliverance, all in the lovely Belgian countryside. Blood, violence, bestiality, madness. The town’s holiday dance is not a party I’d want to attend, but lots of fun to watch.