The Reign of Queen Ginnarra

I watched this film at the Romford Horror Film Festival. It is truly epic in scale yet it is grounded in the terrifying prospect of the power of amoral, indifferent gods being used to buttress tyranny. This is all very pertinent to the times that we currently live in which shocks us daily with it's increasingly naked exercise of power.

Particular credit must go to Megan Tremethick for her chilling yet magnetic performance as the titular queen. Her presence holds the film together as she compells you to stare every further into the dark heart of her will to power. I found that the film stayed with me for days after I finished watching it.

I watch Queen Ginnarra at the Romford Horror Festival. I wanted to support independent film makers and having watched 'The Slave and the Sorcerer' last year, which was also directed by Lawrie Brester and starring Megan Tremethick and Stephen Kerr, I was keen to see what new work the team had brought out.

I was somewhat sceptical at first having seen the run time of 2 hours and 20 minutes, however that time flew by and there was never a dull moment

What struck me initially was what the team were able to do with the budget. It was of a much higher quality than I expected. Moreover, the acting was superb, played with earnestness. Megan Tremethick's performance was certainly a standout performance.

The movie centred around power, family, dragons and betrayal. None of the characters were one dimensional, all of them had many layers and able to portray strength juxtaposed with vulnerability.

For the budget they were able to pull off excellent choreographed fight scenes and superb animation was employed where the budget did not allow.

A movie I will defiantly watch again, and I would recommend to anyone who enjoys medieval fantasy epics.

The story of the rise and fall of a truly evil tyrannical monarch. Queen Ginnarra rules over a land stolen from her father after he is killed in battle. Her brother Prince Elderon has been banished from the kingdom on pain of death. What follows is Elderon's quest to find help to remove his sister from the throne. Ginnarra 'who has help from the malevolent Elder Gods to rule her subjects with an iron fist is sending her minions out to hunt Elderon down.

Produced by The British Horror Studio and Hex Studios this is an impressive epic made in Scotland

The cast all put in excellent performances ,especially Megan Tremethick as Ginnerra. The Queen is a truly evil character and Megan plays her as an unemotional but ruthless woman with a white face reminiscent of an Elizabethan noblewomen.

She says very little, but you feel the power raging from her presence .She orders death and destruction without emotion or remorse.

Dorian Todd is very good as Raemin ,the son of the Queen who seems to relish the pain he inflicts on the populace ,he seems to be like Mordred to Ginnarras Morgana if this were based on Arthurian legend.

Andrew Gourley puts in a lot of emotion as Elderon ,the Queens brother as he desperately looks for help around the ravaged kingdom. He is a broken man after seeing his father die and is wracked by guilt . The supporting players especially Sam Barkley, Shadi El Dah,Stephen Kerr, Stephen Corrall,Adam Barnett and Chris Capaldi all stand out as well.

The film uses its locations very well (especially a beautiful cathedral for the Queens throne room)and enhancing some scenes with well done CGI that includes a massive city, rubble strewn villages and three Dragons.

The fight choreography is also impressive ,especially the fight between two main characters.

Written by Sarah Daly and Director Lawrie Brewster this really is an impressive epic film. Produced on a budget that (I assume)wouldn't even pay a quarter of the catering of a Hollywood film. Lawrie and Sarah(who is also the co producer)have brought to the screen a British film that has not been seen in more decades than I care to mention.

I would wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone who is looking for something out of the mainstream. A film made with a love for a genre of film that you just dont see now.

Brilliant story that hits you right way, especially that it's delivered by such a great actors! Extremely dark, heavily inspired by Amicus/Hammer (any if you're a fan of these you will definitely enjoy this movie) yet very fresh and unique take on horror! I love how this movie has a great balance between borowing from genre classics in a way that they almost pay a tribute to horrors we all love and creating new, unique ideas.

Shots and scenes are simply beautiful, very artistic, like a gothic paintings.

Give this a watch , we have to support projects like this. British Horror Studio, thank you!

A great epic film in typical style from Lawrie Brewster, British Horror Studio effortlessly create a world and environment for these fantasy epics that draws you in, a world where power matters over morals. Fighting, dragons, destruction and tragedy, its all on the screen.

As ever Megan Tremethick is mesmerising, playing it deadpan but i actually saw anger in the eyes at the same time, without pity, I have experienced pure evil in a film!

This great team continues to give the world great films and Im especially looking forward to their Amicus production 'In The Grip Of Terror' the fist Amicus film in 48 years! Exciting times.