DVD: The Backwoods

Gary Oldman and Paddy Considine make for an impressive dramatic team and almost propel this latest direct-to-DVD release from Spain’s Filmax to must-see status.

Shot in English and Spanish and evoking the likes of Straw Dogs and Calvaire, The Backwoods is a beautifully photographed rural thriller about two holidaying couples who discover an animal-like girl chained in an empty house – what follows is a slow burn of a thriller. This is another tale of cruel rural folk, and director Koldo Serra brings nothing new to the sub-genre. The theme has been explored thoroughly in everything from The Wicker Man to Wrong Turn, but this is still well worth a look.

There is a very classical feel and the restraint is impressive. While brutality plays a part, Serras never descends to the level of a film like Straightheads. This is actually a British, Spanish and French co-production, so there is one French actress in the film to keep the investors happy, the beautiful Virginie Ledoyen, who has the more challenging of only three female roles as Considine’s wife.

Also notable for an incredibly disturbed performance by young actress Yaiza Esteve, The Backwoods is a gripping little film which climaxes with one of the most intense rain storms I’ve ever experienced. Surround sound at its most effective.      Richard Hawes

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Get it for yourself here.