Calvaire (The Ordeal)

French Horror Homage

Nov 4, 2006

The French Horror Homage film Calvaire available on DVD is disturbingly spectacular.

World Premiere: May 18. 2004 (Cannes)

Country of Production: Belgium

Date of Release: Oct. 10, 2006

Distribution: Palm Pictures

No. of Discs: 1

Language: French

Subtitles: English

'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 his car breaks down in the middle of the isolated backcountry, he’s forced to seek refuge in a rural inn. Marc is taken in by Bartel, a lonely and psychologically fragile innkeeper who promises to help. But when Marc catches him dismantling his car, he realizes that the innkeeper has other plans for him – sadistic plans that will push him to the bounds of human pain and suffering.'

- summary from website

Special Features: Making of Calvaire - It's nice to see a filmmaker excited about his work as in the case with Du Welz. What's endearing about him is how he's unapologetic about his cinematic influences taking scenes from horror masters and incorporating them in his film including Hitchcock's Psycho and Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

Following the interview are behind the scenes including an uncooperative and irate boar, fight sequences, and a conclusion of how art direction and production design shaped the look of the film.

All 88 mins of this disturbing nature of the human condition is presented in widescreen.

Also included on the release are the US theatrical trailer, Palm Picture Previews and weblinks.

The copyright of the article Calvaire (The Ordeal) in Drama DVD Reviews is owned by Christine Miguel. Permission to republish Calvaire (The Ordeal) in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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