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Nightwatch | Year: 1994 Classification: Thriller Directed: - Ole Bornedal Actors/Actresses: - Nikolaj Waldau - Sofie Graaboel A superior thriller I did not see the American remake of this superior Danish thriller. Director Ole Bornedall knows how to created nerve wracking suspense and real shocking horror. The film starts slowly and carefully creates an atmosphere of dread. The clever screenplay has several interesting twist. A must see for any fan of intelligent thrillers- and for once a film truly worthy of comparison to the master- Hitchcock. Far superior to the American remake Ole Bornedal's original 1994 Nightwatch has his 1998 American remake beat, hands down. The original is so much more restrained and controlled, the tautness of it practically hits you in the face. Unlike Nick Nolte's unabashedly hammy performance, the actor who plays the investigating cop here keeps a lid on his emotions and so his character is infinitely more credible. The pacing is tighter, the acting is just sparse enough--and therefore supremely effective--and the suspense, based on this minimalistic perspective, is that much more palpable. The story of a young law student taking a job as a hospital morgue attendant, and subsequently encountering strange goings-on, including the appearance of the bodies of some suddenly dead girls--this film is justifiably counted as a top European thriller. Martin, the law student, is taunted by his buddy to engage in some pretty unconventional stunts; the convergence of Martin's experiences in the morgue with his ever-increasing out-of-control actions leads ultimately to a horrific confrontation. It was interesting to see that Ewan McGregor, who played Martin in the remake, is amazingly close in appearance to the Danish actor playing the same role. McGregor was OK, but there again, he tended on occasion--no doubt pandering to American audiences--to emote just a bit too much. And rather than suffer through another of Josh Brolin's performances, catch Kim Bodnia as Martin's buddy. He shines. There is really no comparison. This is the movie to watch, not the '98 remake. Do not see the American Version.... if you have and thought it was only OK but could have been better than see this...the better version. This movie out shines the remake big time. The Acting here is so much more convinceing (at least I think so...they talk Dutch) and I felt scared when the nightwatchman was scared...he's kinda buff, so I felt like he could whoop butt unlike the sissy american actor so when was scared I was. The direction in this version was better because it gives you the feeling someone is alway watching you and a more clastrphobic feel to this version that the american one lacks. See this if you want a good mystery/suspence/thriller for a movie going experiance. WARINING:<BR>If you hate subtitles then stay clear. Excellently creepy I admit to being a thriller-movie wimp. I had my eyes closed for half of The Sixth Sense, and my cousin had already spoiled the ending! But this is one movie you cannot tear your eyes from...even at its gruesome best. Ewan MacGregor stars as a college student taking a job as a night watchman for the local morgue (I'll grant that he tries very hard to make his accent less pronounced, but it's still noticeable at times). Essential gory plotline: a serial killer is on the loose. Ewan (as Martin) becomes the main suspect, and the only murder witnesses are the dead ones. Essential plot thickener: his girlfriend (Patricia Arquette) has become the killer's next target, and it doesn't help that his friend (Josh Brolin) keeps "challenging" Martin into doing things that seem to serve a purpose of making him look guilty. Essential twist: The twist is, of course, the killer's identity, and I can't very well give that away, can I? I will, however, say that I didn't seriously suspect the murderer until he basically said it himself. And I felt absolutely horrible as my #1 suspect ended up saving them all. Creepy, well-done, and just intense enough. And always, ALWAYS remember to leave the door open... Buy Nightwatch at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on Nightwatch Search with the Priority Search Engine on Nightwatch This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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