When people think of Scotland many imagine rolling highlands capped under constant rain. Or perhaps haggis, the weird meal that has to be tried once. Or kilts that don't hide much when a gust of wind decides to reveal all. Or whiskey, festivals and all round friendly folk. There is a beauty capture in Scotland that stick a horror movie slap bang in the isolation is near perfection. Think Wicker Man (that's the original people, if one of you utters Nicolas Cage I am going to hit you with a haggis,)and you get the perfect image of how creepy Scotland and its Isles can be. So A Lonely Place To Die (a fitting name) has to hit the nail on the head in this British thriller.
A Lonely Place To Die is set around five mountain climbing buddies as they walk the intrepid land of the Scottish Highland. During their travels they stumble upon a dark secret; someone has hidden a girl who speaks no English in a trap under the ground. Refusing to leave her, the five take her so they can alert the authorities. Unfortunately, those who put her there aren't to happy and soon a chase ensues as the doomed five are now racing to save the girl and their own laughs. Without anyone to trust and the terrain just as terrifying, it seems that death is inevitable instead of escapable.
The first point of A Lonely Place To Die is the breathtaking scenery from the scarily tall mountains covered in snow and ice to the green that stretches for miles far from civilization. The close ups to the panning really capture the abundance within the wilderness. A highlight in cinematography is one bloody scene that is done with shocking beauty that you are left in awe at how it is played out in front of you. What is also remarkable is how frightening the film is. Most scenes keep your heart pounding as the race against time ignites. The director Julian Gilbey takes the premise for a thriller and builds it layer upon layer. The tension rises into your throat as not only are there psychotic killers on tail but there is just enough danger from one fall in the countryside. This is where the writing and acting smoothly takes control and relatively new movie actors such as Melissa George and Ed Speleers (Alison and Ed) portray adrenaline filled fear and convey distress as well as the will to live perfectly. The girl, Anna, is superbly played by the young Holly Boyd. And there is the complete and utter menacing villains Mr Kidd and Mr Mccrae (Steve Harris and Mr Kidd) who still moments after the film has ended give chills down the back of your neck.
There are some moments that falter within the film though and it is not without perfection. Out of nowhere, the film turns weird at places and start throwing in bounty hunters as though the plot isn't juicy enough. Also given that this is a stand out film, it is sad that they have to resort to creepy festival scenes similar to Wicker Man to heighten the fear. And despite the amazing shots, the random point of view with shakiness is distracting and unnecessary.
But it is all bridge under the water, A Lonely Place To Die is outstanding. It gives and gives and then pulls you into an unexpected direction as well as giving you false leads. At the end you will leave the cinemas with your heart still beating so fast you feel as you just ran the course are protagonists did. What A Lonely Place To Die does is take films such as Wrong Turn and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and make it British and better. It is certainly a thriller to be proud of.
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