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Movies / On DVD / The Descent
The Descent

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The Descent (2006)

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Reviews Counted:46

Fresh:27

Rotten:19

Average Rating:4.4/10

Consensus: Deft direction and strong performances from its all-female cast guide The Descent, a riveting, claustrophobic horror film. In this low-budget import from Scotland, director Neil Marshall has masterfully created a spelunking nightmare, which doubles as a compelling meditation on morality, vengeance, and the depths to which we might go for survival.

Rated: 18 [See Full Rating] for strong violence/gore and language.

Runtime: 1 hr 39 mins

Genre: Horror/Suspense

Theatrical Release:08-07-2005

Synopsis: THE DESCENT is Neil Marshall’s hotly anticipated follow up to his 2002 hit DOG SOLDIERS. Directed by Marshall from his own script, it tells the story of an all-female caving expedition that goes... THE DESCENT is Neil Marshall’s hotly anticipated follow up to his 2002 hit DOG SOLDIERS. Directed by Marshall from his own script, it tells the story of an all-female caving expedition that goes horribly wrong, and stars Shauna Macdonald, Natalie Mendoza, Alex Reid, Saskia Mulder, Nora-Jane Noone and Myanna Buring. Set in a cave system deep in the Appalachian Mountains, Marshall describes his film as ‘DELIVERANCE goes underground’. On a daredevil caving holiday, six women friends are unexpectedly trapped underground when a rock fall blocks their exit. Searching the maze of tunnels for a way out, they find themselves hunted by a race of fearless, hungry predators, once humanoid but now monstrously adapted to live in the dark… As the others battle for their lives, Sarah (Macdonald), still recovering from a mental collapse brought on by the recent deaths of her family, is fighting for her sanity. When old secrets are revealed, the friends turn on one another, causing the group to implode. Betrayed and desperate, Sarah realizes that to make it back to the surface, she must become as savage as the creatures themselves. THE DESCENT was filmed on location in Scotland and at Pinewood Studios from December 2004 to February 2005, and was fully financed and produced by Celador Films. Celador’s Paul Smith is executive producer and Christian Colson is producer. The film reunites Marshall with DOG SOLDIERS’ director of photography, Sam McCurdy, and production designer, Simon Bowles. Celador’s previous credits include the Oscar-nominated DIRTY PRETTY THINGS. THE DESCENT movie has already had a hugely successful release both critically and commercially in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. In September, 2005 the film took the top competition prize -- the Méliès d’Argent -- for Euro feature at Lund International Fantastic Film Festival in Sweden, and in November, Neil Marshall won Best Director and the film Best Technical Achievement (for the Editing) at the British Independent Films Awards (BIFA's) (THE DESCENT was nominated for Best Film). It has also been nominated for Best British Film, Best British Director and Best British Producer by the London Film Critics Circle (the winners are announced in February), an unheard of achievement for a genre piece. --© Lionsgate Films [More]

Starring: Shauna MacDonald, Natalie Mendoza, Alex Reid, Saskia Mulder

Starring: Shauna MacDonald, Natalie Mendoza, Alex Reid, Saskia Mulder, Nora-Jane Noone, MyAnna Buring, Oliver Milburn, Molly Kayll

Director: Neil Marshall

Director: Neil Marshall
Producer: Christian Colson
Screenwriter: Neil Marshall
Composer: David Julyan
Studio: Lions Gate Films

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Reviews for The Descent

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 
N/R

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Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
12/06/05
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

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Full Review Source: iofilm.co.uk | comment Comment
12/06/05
iofilm.co.uk
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Brutal, bloody, terrifying, astonishing.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
11/03/05
Dan Jolin
Dan Jolin
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

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Full Review Source: CHUD | comment Comment
02/27/09
Nick Nunziata
Nick Nunziata
CHUD
N/R

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Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
10/18/08
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: JackassCritics.com | comment Comment
09/18/08
Grim Ringler
Grim Ringler
JackassCritics.com

A scary gorefest underground. Not for kids.

Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | comment Comment
07/24/08
Cynthia Fuchs
Cynthia Fuchs
Common Sense Media
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Exclaim! | comment Comment
08/03/07
Exclaim!
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | comment Comment
05/17/07
Entertainment Weekly
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N/R

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Full Review Source: DVDTown.com | comment Comment
05/14/07
Dean E. Winkelspecht
Dean E. Winkelspecht
DVDTown.com

A super-realistic, claustrophobic screamfest, guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Full Review Source: EURWeb | comment Comment
04/27/07
Kam Williams
Kam Williams
EURWeb

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: DVDTalk.com | comment Comment
03/21/07
Mitchell Hattaway
Mitchell Hattaway
DVDTalk.com

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Full Review Source: MovieWeb | comment Comment
01/03/07
Evan
Evan "Mushy" Jacobs
MovieWeb

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Full Review Source: DVDnett.no | comment Comment
12/30/06
DVDnett.no
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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Full Review Source: Reel.com | comment Comment
12/27/06
Reel.com
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Click here to read all about the special features on the DVD.

Full Review Source: Horror.com | comment Comment
12/27/06
Staci Layne Wilson
Staci Layne Wilson
Horror.com

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: DVD Confidential | comment Comment
08/16/06
DVD Confidential
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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Full Review Source: DVDActive.com | comment Comment
07/01/06
Gabriel Powers
Gabriel Powers
DVDActive.com
N/R

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Full Review Source: Dvdrama | comment Comment
05/06/06
Dvdrama
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Monsters At Play | comment Comment
05/06/06
Lawrence P. Raffel
Lawrence P. Raffel
Monsters At Play
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
all

Latest News for The Descent

June 12, 2009: Neil Marshall in Talks for New Predator? Opens in new window
According to Bloody Disgusting, you'll never guess who's in talks to direct the new "Predator" movie...unless you guess Neil Marshall ("The Descent"). More...

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