In a constructed prison somewhere in England, four women have been selected for a gruesome experiment. Each one wakes in a cell lined with plastic sheets and metal bars, with no recollection of who they are or why they are there. The only clue they have is the admittance band secured to their wrist. Over the coming days, each woman will face agonising fear and pain at the hands of Dr. Murdoch (Daniel Jordan) for a purpose they could never have expected.
James Eaves creation, which he writes, directs and produces himself, is an entanglement of science fiction and horror in the style of French horror movie Martyrs (2008); particularly as both films revolve around the torture of women for a ‘greater purpose’. In both films this purpose is not revealed until the end, leaving the audience questioning the intense violence that makes up the majority of the film. Though the budget for Bane is a small one, the violent sequences in the film are well executed, despite times where Eaves seems to have overcompensated with fake blood in order to distract from the lack of funds.
The plot of the film is certainly original, though it is also unnecessarily complicated. The focus of the film appears to be the scientific experiments of Dr. Murdoch, along with his psychopathic surgeon who visits the three women with his giant saw each night. However, there is an unexpected and rather redundant plot element explained at the end of the film which sounds like something out of an episode of Dr. Who and isn’t satisfyingly justified. Eaves should be commended for thinking outside of the box, but by leaving the plot explanation to the last ten minutes of the film, everything up to that moment feels spoiled.
As well as this, it is never explained why the experiment had to be conducted with four women. Clearly the film is commenting on the dominance of men, with the four women being tortured both physically and mentally by a group of powerful males, and even though the film’s finale hands power and responsibility over to a female character, it doesn’t validate the selection of victims.
The performances are a mixture of highs and lows. At the centre of the plot is the more emotionally stable captive, Katherine, and Dawney’s performance in the role is a strong one. Barnes portrayal of tough girl, Natasha also stands out as one of the best, along with Robson as the more fragile Elaine, who is the only character who ever truly looks terrified.
It’s likely that audience members will be unimpressed by the set designs for the film, which consist entirely of concrete blocks, white plastic and metal fences. The sets are certainly lacklustre, and though the budget has clearly been spent in the right places when it comes to filming equipment, there are times when the set gives the impression of a queue for a ride at a theme park. On the other hand, the overall impact of this is that the film is hugely claustrophobic, which undoubtedly works in its favour.
Interestingly, the DVD contains a good selection of extras, including director’s commentary, outtakes, deleted scenes and the original trailer. One recommendation would be the Making of Documentary, which is a vast insight into the making of the film, including everything from cast selection and make-up to costume and filming, and includes interviews from almost everyone who was part of the film.
Overall, Bane is a film which aims high, and it is always a pleasure to see a new British horror film hit the shelves. Though it has been filmed and edited to a great standard, it is let down by an overcomplicated plot and is carrying an unnecessary extra thirty minutes that it could do without. If you like Martrys or Hostel (2005), then Baneis definitely worth checking out.
Release Date (DVD) – 18th July 2011
Certificate – 18
Country – UK
Director – James Eaves
Runtime – 113 mins
Starring – Lisa Devlin, Sophia Dawney, Tina Barnes, Sylvia Robson
James Eaves creation, which he writes, directs and produces himself, is an entanglement of science fiction and horror in the style of French horror movie Martyrs (2008); particularly as both films revolve around the torture of women for a ‘greater purpose’. In both films this purpose is not revealed until the end, leaving the audience questioning the intense violence that makes up the majority of the film. Though the budget for Bane is a small one, the violent sequences in the film are well executed, despite times where Eaves seems to have overcompensated with fake blood in order to distract from the lack of funds.
As well as this, it is never explained why the experiment had to be conducted with four women. Clearly the film is commenting on the dominance of men, with the four women being tortured both physically and mentally by a group of powerful males, and even though the film’s finale hands power and responsibility over to a female character, it doesn’t validate the selection of victims.
The performances are a mixture of highs and lows. At the centre of the plot is the more emotionally stable captive, Katherine, and Dawney’s performance in the role is a strong one. Barnes portrayal of tough girl, Natasha also stands out as one of the best, along with Robson as the more fragile Elaine, who is the only character who ever truly looks terrified.
It’s likely that audience members will be unimpressed by the set designs for the film, which consist entirely of concrete blocks, white plastic and metal fences. The sets are certainly lacklustre, and though the budget has clearly been spent in the right places when it comes to filming equipment, there are times when the set gives the impression of a queue for a ride at a theme park. On the other hand, the overall impact of this is that the film is hugely claustrophobic, which undoubtedly works in its favour.
Interestingly, the DVD contains a good selection of extras, including director’s commentary, outtakes, deleted scenes and the original trailer. One recommendation would be the Making of Documentary, which is a vast insight into the making of the film, including everything from cast selection and make-up to costume and filming, and includes interviews from almost everyone who was part of the film.
Overall, Bane is a film which aims high, and it is always a pleasure to see a new British horror film hit the shelves. Though it has been filmed and edited to a great standard, it is let down by an overcomplicated plot and is carrying an unnecessary extra thirty minutes that it could do without. If you like Martrys or Hostel (2005), then Baneis definitely worth checking out.
Release Date (DVD) – 18th July 2011
Certificate – 18
Country – UK
Director – James Eaves
Runtime – 113 mins
Starring – Lisa Devlin, Sophia Dawney, Tina Barnes, Sylvia Robson
