Below (DVD, 2003)

This film has its share of fans, and I wanted to chime in. Why? Because it's a great ghost movie. It's scary, I like the characters and performances, and it's very well-produced. I was originally given this film with the recommendation that "This is one of those scary films you watch ALONE, at two in the morning."

I thought its visual effects were beautiful and functional throughout--this is a ghost movie, but the ghost effects are subtle, and never stoop to goofy atmospherics. Indeed, the ghost images are only a very small portion of the visual effects platter on display. Most of the wonderful miniatures and digital constructions concern themselves with the reality of the submarine and its adventures. And these numerous shots feature very little showing off--like the very best effects, they are tools to transmit the story, first and foremost. This rigid adhesion to story is visible all around, and it's very clear that cast and crew were solidly focused.

"Below" is a basic ghost mystery story (who is the ghost and what does it want), a type of film that is seldom done nowadays. A good number of these have been done over the years, certainly, and so the subject matter is familiar, but the story details/mechanics of "Below" present it all in a fresh manner. Lots of business for the actors to work with.

It's intricate, and demands attention from its viewers, and this is rewarded by what I think is a very watchable and entertaining ride, thanks in no small part to its great cast and tight direction. Yes! it's scary, possibly one of the most frightening films I've seen in years. I hesitate to call it a "horror" film, because its audience identification characters do their best to see that justice prevails, and eventually they pull the audience out of this hellish experience. This optimism gives the film a quality of fairy-tale parable. But it is certainly a white-knuckle suspense thriller.

Sorry to say today, but this film has actually been hidden away by studio screw ups and buried by a sea of Dimension Films' Executive's Lack of Faith. When "Ghost Ship" came out, I guess someone thought there was no reason to spend extra money on the billing of this film. I'll say hands down, this film is and was probably the best horror film of the last several years in the making. Forget all the others. I don't think anyone that sees this film is going to say that there is any reason to think any different.


1943 in the North Atlantic, and the U.S.S. Tiger Shark picks up three survivors from a British hospital ship that was torpedoed two days earlier; the discovery that one of the survivors is a German leads to him immediately murdered.


One thing after another starts to happen to this submarine crew, whether by chance or misfortune, strange occurrences start happening.



Below was written by Lucas Sussman, Darren Aronofsky and the film's director, David N. Twohy. Aronofsky is the smart filmmaker behind the "Requiem for a Dream". Twohy knows how to tell a good story and this is no exception.

When we finally learn the horrifying truth about the unfortunate death of the Captain of the sub, we start getting a more vivid portrait of the intense terror the ship-mates are experience.

The C.O. (Bruce Greenwood) who becomes in charge after the unfortunate death of the Captain on the surface of the sub seems way too unstable as time progresses. The British Nurse (Olivia Williams) seems determined to get to the bottom of the insanity that seems to be reeking havoc on the nerves of everyone on board.

The shots of the submarine submerging makes Ian Wilson's photographic style way more impressive than can be imagined. The last shot of the final moments of the ship will haunt you forever.


Matt Davis plays a genuinely green and gullible officer who doesn't really have the full respect of his crewmen. Holt McCallaney play another gruff officer.

It appears that "Below's" potentential was somewhat diminished by Dimension Films not putting enough advertising to push this film to the forefront. Perhaps maybe they had limited resources at the time, but it's hard to tell This was a true shame, really, since it's one of the most sophisticated and highest quality pictures I've seen in quite awhile.

I'll give this film a 5/5 for it's fantastic planning and fast moving story-line that chills you to the bone.

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This is a great ghost story set on a 1943 US submarine. As soon as the subs' crew picks up 3 survivors from a destroyed hospital ship, strange things start to happen. This is a smart, well written story that holds your attention (you will probably want to watch it more than once to catch all the small details). If you like a good ghost story I think you will enjoy this movie, because it's more creepy than gory and the tension keeps building. I watched this with my teenage daughters and I thought that they might lose interest because it is a "guys" type movie (with the military setting and all), but they said it was great and they wanted to see it again. I would recommend this movie for anyone who likes action, suspense, and a well told story.

I bought this movie because it sounded interesting. Am I glad that I did. I am not too keen on scary movies but this one wasn't blood and gore but more it made you think. Das boot and U571 Have nothing on this. The suspense builds to the very end. In my opinion this is well worth the money to buy it.

Great sleeper movie, I never heard anything about it until I rented it. Not many well known actors, but the acting was very good in my opinion. I really enjoyed it. A strange mix of Horror, War, and suspence. I would definitely recommend it.

old war movies are my favorite movies. have been looking localy but could not find. i looked on e-bay and there it was price was right so i purchased it.i have enjoyed watching it over and over.

Looking at this movie I was immediately turned off because it was an MTV production. I really didn't think I would like this movie for that reason but I actually kind of enjoyed it. Some very interesting plot twists and a great ending. It certainly wasn't one of the greats of the genre but definetely worth the watch. If you can find it cheap enough then I would say buy it as well, there's worse things you can spend your money on.