When faced with extraordinary circumstances, people usually act as you would expect them to, based on who they were before the circumstance. Occasionally there are surprises. But usually a brave person reacts bravely, etc.
But most of us never get a chance to find out how we would react, because nothing precarious happens in our lives. For these three lighthouse keepers, something did. Something as simple as encountering another human. One thing leads to another. Such is life.
Sure, we could have used more back stories for all three men, and more time-period context. But this picture was simple and primal. Three men are isolated, a tough situation arises, survival instincts kick in, people make choices, and one way or another, resolution ensues.
The irony here, and I've yet to read anyone mentioning it, is that the good guys took possession of the bad guys' stuff and refused to give it back. Not vice versa.
Do you have brutal violence inside you? Do I? Who knows? Let's hope we never find out.
The photography and setting, the interior shots, the facial expressions, were all top notch. Great atmosphere, memorable tension.
The two older guys had been to the school of hard knocks presumably. But the young guy got an overwhelming jolt out of nowhere. His world turned upside down in more dramatic and overwhelming fashion than for the others. Yet in some ways, he handled it the best.
