In my Father's Den

In My Father's Den

In My Father's Den - 2004

T.H.E. Film Ltd. & Little Bird - 120 & 126 min.
DVD UPC # 9339065005301; 9325336022986; 506003457211; 5060034572107; 8856021032252; 4042564021127; 4042564050929; 4042564022971(Blu-ray)

Cast: Matthew MacFadyen, Miranda Otto, Emily Barclay, Colin Moy, Vicky Haughton, Jodie Rimmer, Jimmy Keen.
Screenplay: Brad McGann, based upon the book by Maurice Gee; Director of Photography: Stuart Dryburgh; Music: Simon Boswell; Editing: Chris Plummer; Costume Design: Kirsty Cameron; Production Design: Jennifer Kernke; Producers: Trevor Haysom, Dixie Linder; Director: Brad McGann.

This is a dark, gradually building, thriller about returning home and retracing history. It is a film about childhood dreams that are shattered by the reality of the world around us, but it is also about a sixteen year old girl who hungers for the world beyond her small town. When the girl goes missing, violence and truth gradually emerge from family tragedy and betrayal that has surrounded them for years. They must finally face the consequences of that silence and secrecy. Recommended.

Censor Rating: R16 - Review rating: B

AVAILABILITY OF VHS OR DVD COPIES

It is available as an R4 PAL (Warner/Icon) from Australian or NZ sources, selling for about $30nz or $24au. An R4 re-release is scheduled for September 8, 2010, selling for $20nz - this may be a bare bones version - details later. It is on an R2 PAL release, by Optimum Home Entertainment and sells for under 10#. Up until June 2009 it was available, in North America on R1 NTSC for $15-20us, but now is OOP. However it can still be rented and probably found at ebay. The R1 version has optional Spanish and English subtitles. They are listed as presented in its original 2.35 format (16x9 enhanced), but I measured 2.15.
There also is a PAL R0 version from Thailand, selling for about $10us. It has the original English audio or a Thai one. Additionally it has optional English or Thai subtitles. This Thai version is presented 1.78, not 2.15/2.35. All versions come with 5.1 dolby digital audio with the R2 and R4 versions also having a 2.0 dolby digital surround option. Special features on the R4 release include: optional audio commentary by director Brad McGann, producer Trevor Hayson and actor Emily Barclay; 'Possum' an award winning short film by Brad McGann; behind the scenes clips and trailer. The R2 release extras include: Interviews with Matthew Macfadyen, Brad McGann, Emily Barclay and Colin Moy; A "Making Of" featurette and optional audio commentary by Brad McGann.
There is a Blu-ray version from European sources selling for 12-17eur. It is a region B coded disc. It's title is: 'Als das Meer verschwand'. It contains the same extras as the dvd and has German PCM 5.1, German DTS-HD 5.1, English PCM 5.1, English DTS-HD 5.1 audio and optional German subtitles. The audio commentary track has optional German subtitles. Of course it is presented 2.35:1, 1080p.

SOUNDTRACK ON AUDIO CD

No known soundtrack CD of this title.

Link to soundtrack sample download

REVIEWS

At The Movies - Review by David Stratton

Film and Blu-Ray Review at DigitalVD (German)

New Zealand Film Archive Info and Reviews

DVD Compare's Review

DVD Fever Review

MRQE Reviews - 21 articles

Michaeldvd Region 4 Reviews

UK DVD Times Review

UK Channel 4 Review, interviews and film clips

Urban Cinefile Review

EFilm Critic Review

Hoopla Review

OFFLINE REVIEW SOURCES

Listener, v.195no.3361(Oct.9 2004), p.46
Metro, issue 280(Oct.2004), p.134
Sunday star-times. Escape, Oct.3, 2004, p.6
Time, 2004, no.43(Nov.1), p.
Waikato times, Oct.14, 2004, p.27

TRAILER & MISC

Official Trailer

Official German Website - containing both English and German language trailers.

Information at IMDB

Composer's Official Website

Internet Movie Poster Awards

AWARDS

2004 San Sebastian Film Festival - Youth Jury Award
2004 Toronto Film Festival - International Critics Award
2005 Seattle Film Festival - New Director's Showcase Special Jury Prize
2005 Stony Brook Film Festival - Best Feature
2005 New Zealand Screen Awards - Best Picture, Director, Lead Actor (MacFaydyen), Lead Actress (Barclay), Supporting Actor (Moy), Supporting Actress(Rimmer), Cinematography, Editing and Post Contribution to a soundtrack.

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