Now available on DVD is the thriller Autumn Blood. The film stars Sophie Lowe, Peter Stormare, Gustaf Skarsgård, Samuel Vauramo, Maximilian Harnisch.
Two young orphans in the Australian Tirolian Mountains come under siege by a vicious band of hunters. Frightened of being separated by child services following the death of their mother, a self-sufficient 16-year-old girl (Sophie Lowe) and her 10-year-old brother (Maximilian Harnisch) – who hasn’t spoken a word since seeing his father killed by the mayor (Peter Stormare) – strive to live off the land in peace. Their innocence is shattered, however, when a group of hunters led by the mayor’s son brutalizes and rapes the free-spirited girl. Later, when a well-meaning social services worker arrives too late to protect the terrorized siblings, the girl and her brother prepare to take a stand against their ruthless attackers.
First of all the title really doesn’t go with this film. It doesn’t appear to be autumn and the presence of the word “blood” in the title suggests that the movie my be bloody or gory – it’s not.
I was very surprised by the lack of dialogue in this film. I’ve heard more chatter in a nature documentary than this film. Initially I thought it could have been a foreign language film. It’s not. They do speak in English. It’s just that there is very little speaking on.
The setting of this film is absolutely breathtaking. Their farm is way up high in the mountains – far removed from any neighbors or even the nearby town. The family must have to walk for miles down winding mountain roads just to get into town. I also don’t see how they can survie the harsh winters in their tiny wooden cabin.
The movie starts off with the children’s father being shot and killed by a man. There is no explanation as to who the man was or why he shot their father.
Later on in the film the mother dies (assuming she was sick). Again, the film makers offer no explanation as to how she became sick and if she even knew she was sick and going to die.
There were other unanswered questions that sprung up throughout the film.
There is some brief nudity. You really don’t see much, but the young lady does appear nude a few times in the film. There is also an implied rape. They don’t show anything but you know she was brutally attacked and taken advantage of.
The only “blood” you’ll see are from wounds that occurred during the implied rape and gun shot wounds.
The film was not what I expected, but it was interesting and entertaining none-the-less.
The young actors did a fabulous job, especially the young girl (Sophie Lowe). Even her brother (Maximilian Harnisch) who doesn’t utter a word in the film had a lot of expression on his face – so much so he didn’t need words to convey what he was feeling. You could read it on his face. Actually all of the actors did a great job “speaking” through their facial expressions.
The real scene stealer in this film is the landscape. It’s stunning! From majestic mountains to misty forests, the whole setting of this film is breathtaking.
Autumn Blood has a run time of an hour and forty minutes. It’s rated R for nudity, rape and violence.
Look for Autumn Blood where ever movies are sold.
Here is the trailer for your enjoyment.
Kimberly
*I received a free screener copy in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
ellen beck says
I havent even heard of this movie yet. It looks like something my husband and I would enjoy. I like action flicks, and the trailer looks good too.
Karen says
I have not heard about this movie, or know of any of the stars in it. So, I don’t know if I would watch it or not. Thanks for the synopsis of it, though.