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The War Zone

Special Edition

Lara Belmont (Actor), Ray Winstone (Actor), Tim Roth (Director) Rated:
Unrated
Format: DVD
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 221 ratings
IMDb7.2/10.0
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The War Zone — —

Product Description

Product Description

Incest and other abuses rend a working-class family of four in contemporary rural England. Directed by Tim Roth.

Amazon.com

As unflinching and bleak as it is beautiful, Tim Roth's directorial debut, The War Zone, is remarkably accomplished filmmaking. Adapted by Alexander Stuart from his own novel, the film centers on a family that has just moved from London to the wind-swept English seaside during winter. The relative isolation soon reveals an ongoing incestuous relationship between the working-class father (Ray Winstone) and his 17-year-old-daughter, Jessie. The middle-class mother (Tilda Swinton) has just given birth to their third child and desperately avoids knowing the truth, leaving Tom, the younger brother, with the horrific responsibility of exposing the family secret. Fearless in its hard-fought depiction of incest, The War Zone pulls no punches; this vivid portrayal of abuse within a family and the scathed consciousness that results is not for the faint of heart. True to his theater background, Roth doesn't explain how or where such brutal choices were first taken, choosing rather to let the actors bear the ambiguities and anguish of a terrible knowledge in the their body language. --Fionn Meade

Product details

  • Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 2.35:1
  • Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
  • MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ Unrated (Not Rated)
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.5 x 0.7 x 5.4 inches; 4 ounces
  • Director ‏ : ‎ Tim Roth
  • Media Format ‏ : ‎ Special Edition, NTSC, Multiple Formats, Letterboxed, Widescreen, Color
  • Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 39 minutes
  • Release date ‏ : ‎ September 19, 2000
  • Actors ‏ : ‎ Lara Belmont, Ray Winstone
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
  • Studio ‏ : ‎ New Yorker Video
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 6305929653
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 221 ratings

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5
221 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

michele elaine lein
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful cinematography, haunting subject matter.
Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2018
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A superb movie. All the actors meshed extremely well with each other, and with the storyline. The movie flows seamlessly along, with the actors as perfect for the story as if they had actually been living it. Excellent performance by Tilda Swinton as the mother who has no idea anything is amiss, and Freddie Cunliffe as the brother determined to save his sister. Ray Winstone as the father who is in denial that he is doing anything criminally or morally wrong, and Lara Belmont as the daughter who is abused by her father but who does not want to 'ruin' the family or hurt her mom by exposing the truth. The strangest and most disturbing thing about this movie is how peaceful and normal the family is. The mom and dad seem to have a perfect, comfortable,
loving relationship, with the dad seeming like a loving, caring, father and husband. Until you see "the scene", and realize how sick and delusional he really is. A pathological liar who believes the lie his life is. I will remember this film for a long time. It is truly different from other movies of it's kind. I expected a gritty, hard to watch film that was difficult to get through. But what I got was a film that depicts the lie of normalcy that surrounds many of these families and their struggles. The ending was a bit unsatisfying. It left it to the viewer to ponder what will happen to the family. But still, a very haunting and beautiful film.
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Jeremy
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic movie if you can get past "the scene."
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2007
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There were two things that made this movie: the directing and the father character.

There's a lot that we don't know about this family. The movie is a tale about emotion and coming to grips with it. There are deeper problems than the incest that goes on between the daughter and father. That is only a symptom. Unfortunately, as the movie underscores, the incest ruins everyone elses lives as well.

Visually it is a beautiful film, filled with drab water-color images. The entire movie you do not know what the hero/intercedory brother is thinking; which is normal for a 15 year old young man.

I think the best thing about the movie is that although everyone outwardly acts in a similar fashion, the characters are all so different, making for a wonderful conflict and climax (please don't read into that!).

Many sexual-phobes are afraid to watch this movie because they're afraid they'll get turned on by watching the one infamous incestual scene. To that I say, "Its just a movie." Yes its a hard scene to watch. I'll leave it at that. Do what you think is right. Anything normally taboo excites strange conflicting emotions in people. Ironically, I think the director knew this and was trying to get us into the head of the son (who was watching it).

All in all a great movie. Very contemplative. (and British)
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Christina Reynolds
4.0 out of 5 stars Vulnerable and unexposed. Placable and unforgiving.
Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2021
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The War Zone is a 1999 British drama film written by Alexander Stuart, directed by Tim Roth in his directorial debut, and starring Ray Winstone, Tilda Swinton, Lara Belmont and Freddie Cunliffe;
After his family relocates from London to rural Devon, sullen British teen Tom (Freddie Cunliffe) spends most of his time moping about the house. When he inadvertently discovers an incestuous relationship between his older sister, Jessie (Lara Belmont), and their father (Ray Winstone), the revelation threatens to have dire consequences. The mother of the family (Tilda Swinton), unaware of the dark secret, has recently given birth, and the siblings must contend with the harrowing situation.

Fictional stories involving incest present their own unique challenges - they depend on a dynamic audience members will usually find charmingly familiar that are compromised or influenced by circumstances that may be alienating, controversial, or theoretically bizarre. In this case figures distinguishable as ‘mom’ or ‘dad’ are stripped of any other forms of identification, and little is done to elaborate on the relationship between these two individuals specifically; To ‘The War Zone’s credit this is an accurate testament to Alexander Stewart’s vision (who also wrote the source novel of which this film is inspired by) as in analysis of how sexual abuse culminates in such an intimate environment without addressing obvious questions viewers will inevitably have about “mom” and her apparent role as an enabler or perhaps even a secondary victim in this particular context. More specifically - her cluelessness about the abuse occurring between her husband and daughter isn't particularly convincing, nor is the presumably (key word here being presumably) manipulative or controlling nature of the father when the overarching situation is taken into account. Regardless, there's an obvious 𝒏𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 of specific behaviors that subdues this complaint, and the 𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 is perhaps even more significant as a subject for consideration.

At first I found myself echoing the criticisms others have of ‘The Word Zone’; it's an easy target for flippant cross-examination and leaves many to say “what's the point?” while abandoning it as partially formed and lacking of nuances. It's worth remembering that the primary protagonist, Tom, is a mere fifteen year-old adolescent, and Stuart’s goal seems to be evoking a sense of empathy for what his particular understanding of the world might be during this period of time in his life. Consequently, the ambiguity of what emotions might be motivating Tom's actions - confusion, bitterness, an annoyance amongst other things - justify his impulses and lack of concrete insight about obviously complicated material.

Viewers with sensitivities to graphic portrayals of sexual violence are advised to tread with caution. One scene specifically shows Tom's father sodomizing Jessie against her will, and it is not censored with the exception of brief cuts to Tom (who, is merely a bystander to this taking place). Uncompromising as ‘The War Zone’ might be, it is very minimalist when compared to Stewart’s source novel (which is described in passing as ‘smut’), and it is made quite clear over time that Roth has a good sense of what can be used by audience members to infer other instances of abuse occurring in Tom's household overall. In simplest terms - ‘The War Zone’ is full of devastating sensations, but it is completely void of careless or simply self-indulgent ones.

Nevertheless, ‘The War Zone’ is largely filtered through a fortress of obscurity that both compels and frustrates. The possibility of hope is invited without being directly implicated, and the longevity of trauma’s effects are represented by a bleak and claustrophobic change of location during the conclusion. There's an irony in this setting becoming a safe haven for Tom and Jesse for reasons I can't elaborate on without spoiling - but, ultimately, any situation where home is no longer a symbol of security or comfort is rightfully destined for heartbreak and devastation.

During the press release for his directorial debut Roth made an announcement explaining away his inclination toward ‘The War Zone’s subject matter: that both him and his father were survivors of sexual abuse. It wouldn't be until December 2016 that he would name the identity of this abuser - this being his paternal grandfather - and in hindsight the fluidity of what could be his shame and embarrassment (commonly expressed by male survivors of sexual abuse especially) in regards to this trauma has ultimately resulted in a responsible form of storytelling that is equal parts delicate and punishing. Cathartic and repressed. Self-assured and reticent. Vulnerable and unexposed. Placable and unforgiving.
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andrew alef
3.0 out of 5 stars and Tilda Swinton maternal and pre-anorexic is a good reason to watch
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2018
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Collin Farell at 17, Ray Winstone as a young 35, and Tilda Swinton maternal and pre-anorexic is a good reason to watch. Otherwise, very slow. I was halfway through before I knew what the whole thing was about.
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Valerie Pires
5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal!
Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2019
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This is a close to perfect film. Outstanding everything: script, characters, performances, cinematography, direction. Truly a cinematic gem. Highly recommended. I don't agree with it being a "hard watch". It's a tough story but a very interesting and spellbinding watch. Love how it ends without a happy ending like most films, especially in American filmmaking, tend to push on the audience. This story lives in the present and that present is smothered on you. Bravo, Tim Roth!
4 people found this helpful
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Jettyman
1.0 out of 5 stars This is reality?
Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2018
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An unrelentingly, depressing and morose film about characters one could not care less about. It offers zero insight into the human condition, unless your particular interest is depravity and hopelessness. There's not a glimmer of wit, empathy nor redemption. The only thing it left me with was a bitter taste and anger at myself for having wasted 90 minutes of my life watching the stupid thing. Nice scenery though.
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Top reviews from other countries

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vilisanta
5.0 out of 5 stars La zona oscura
Reviewed in Spain on August 7, 2020
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Muy buena película. Tema fuerte.
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Bart DC
5.0 out of 5 stars Film coup de poing
Reviewed in France on March 1, 2016
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Début de régisseur pour Tim Roth: une grande réussite. Film poignant et bouleversant sur un sujet très délicat. Le titre indique l'environnement familial où les enfants se trouvent en danger, en zone de guerre. Les prestations des 4 acteurs/actrices principaux/ales sont mémorables et la mise en scène est très sobre. A découvrir absolument. Score maximal de 4 étoiles sur 4 chez Roger Ebert et chez James Berardinelli (Reel Views) tout à fait justifié.
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Ray
5.0 out of 5 stars Eine glückliche Familie ?
Reviewed in Germany on January 2, 2011
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Irgendwo an der Südwestküste Englands: Zerklüftete Felsstrände und herbe Landschaftsstriche dominieren diese schöne, aber raue Region, wo ständig ein starker Wind weht.
An dieser Steilküste der Grafschaft Devon lebt neuerdings eine 4-köpfige Familie, die in London lebte.
Der Vater (Ray Winstone), ein fröhlicher Typ macht wie die anderen einen liebenswerten und fröhlichen Eindruck. Ein Kerl mit rauer Schale, aber durchaus weichem Kern. Die Mutter (Tilda Swinton) ist schwanger und freut sich auf das dritte Kind, ein Nachzügler für die Geschwister Jessie (Lara Belmont), 18 Jahre und sehr attraktiv und für ihren 3 Jahre jüngeren Bruder Tom (Freddie Cunliffe), der stille Melancholiker der Familie. Tom steckt mitten in der Pubertät. Die Familie scheint, trotz der charakterlichen Gegensätze, gut miteinander auszukommen und sich zu ergänzen. Doch der Schein trügt, denn Tim Roths Film "War Zone" zeigt den Kriegsschauplatz Familie in seiner erschreckendsten Form, doch dies wird erst nach und nach offenbart und sichtbar.
Es wartet unter der zerbrechlichen Oberfläche schon der unvermeidliche Ausbruch, denn eines Tages sieht Tom vom Fenster draussen seinen Vater zusammen mit seiner Schwester in der Badewanne und er beginnt zu ahnen, dass die glückliche Familie nur Schein war. Er beginnt zu beobachten und zu fragen, doch vorerst wird von seiner Schwester verdrängt und beschwichtigt...
Tim Roths 1999 gedrehtes Regiedebüt basiert auf den 1989 erschienenen Roman von Alexander Stuart, der gleichzeitig auch das Drehbuch zum Film verfasste.
Für die exzellente Kameraarbeit war Seamus McGarvey verantwortlich.
Die äusserst beklemmende Familientragödie erhielt 1999 den Felix als bester Nachwuchsfilm, es gab auch weitere Nominierungen als bester Film und für Ray Winstone.
Extrem beeindruckend die darstellerischen Leistungen der jungen Geschwister: Lara Belmont als sexuell missbrauchte Tochter und Freddie Cunliffe als der traurige, picklige Bruder, der durch das Aufdecken zuerst als Zerstörer der Familie wahrgenommen wird.
Ein packender Film, der weh tut, je weiter der Zuschauer auf die unausweichliche Tragödie zusteuert.
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Roger Charland
4.0 out of 5 stars Film très bon; mais le sujet est très difficile ...
Reviewed in Canada on June 20, 2017
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Film très bon ; mais le sujet est très difficile inceste et dilence.....
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René M.
5.0 out of 5 stars Einer der besten und zugleich traurigsten Filme überhaupt!
Reviewed in Germany on December 25, 2017
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Tim Roth hat mir diesem Film ein absolutes Meisterwerk geschaffen, das durch seine Natürlichkeit und Intensität besticht! Es gibt im Film einerseits wunderschöne Szenen und auf der anderen Seite auch Szenen, die einen zutiefst schockieren und fast zu traurig sind, um sie sich anzusehen!
Die schauspielerischen Leistungen von allen Darstellern sind absolut hervorragend, jedoch sticht Lara Belmont in der Rolle der Jessie weit heraus, die hier mit gerade 18 Jahren ihr Schauspieldebüt abliefert, wofür sie zurecht den British Independent Film Award erhalten hat! Im Umgang mit anderen im Film scheint sie ganz normal und fröhlich zu sein, doch wenn man sie allein sieht, ist sie immer zutiefst traurig und man fragt sich als Zuschauer, warum sie denn so traurig ist! Besonders wenn man nicht genau weiß, worum es geht!
Ich hatte vorher schon von dem Film gehört und wusste ungefähr worum es geht, weshalb ich ihn mir unbedingt kaufen wollte. In der buchartigen Hülle gibt es auch noch zahlreiche Informationen zum Film und den Darstellern, Regisseur und dem Autor der Buchvorlage.
Eigentlich fand ich es ganz gut, noch Hintergrundinformationen zu haben, da der Film selbst NUR die Situation und Geschehnisse innerhalb der Familie zeigen, aber nicht erklären warum, wie oder ähnliches. Das macht den Film teilweise schwierig zu verstehen. Aber dennoch ist dieses Familiendrama ein echtes Meisterwerk, wenngleich ein trauriges!
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