Villmark

Villmark does a lot of things right. The setting works well, and the back story that is gradually revealed is OK. I quite liked the idea of the reality show producer who wants his crew to be to handle what the contestants are to go through. The characters work alright, even if they aren't that interesting.

It seems from the DVD that they struggled a bit with finding a good way to end the movie, and while the one they chose was better than some of their other suggestions - it was still really bad. The last revelation makes no sense. I can see them wanting to open up for the possibility for a sequel (hey, one is coming this year!), but this was not the way to do it.

I am from norway, and I am also very patriotic conserning my country. I think this film may be alot more scary for us, as norwegians (or scandinavians) than it is for americans or whatever. Because of this, I think it is unfair of imdb.com to speak such bad of it.

The Woods have always been an important part of the norwegian "tradition", and it is very appriciated. Therefore, I find it particullary scary since the setting takes place in a typical norwegian forest. Never before, have I seen a horror-film so realistic made, because of the setting, and the language. (Norwegian)

"Villmark" is indeed a good (Except the ending ;)) horror-movie which Norway, as a folk, should be very proud of. It scared the hell out of me and my friends.

Regards,

• GnarusLeo - 18 of age.

A frightening Norwegian Thriller

8/10 Author: Ajit Tiwari from India 26 December 2011

Scandinavian cinema has always been a different genre. the depiction of character, the screenplay, subtleness etc. are always top notch.

A perfect example is Villmark (2003) AKA Dark Woods a creepy Norwegian horror or more than a horror.

Set in the Norwegian landscape, a TV crew and their fanatic boss want to shoot a show to survive in the wilds which will eventually make a mark in Reality television history. He (Gunnar) has gathered a production team of four people. The team goes to Gunnar's log cabin where he used to spend summers as a kid. And soon the crew has to survive the thrill, horror, suspicion and mistrust.

The choice of the cast is fantastic and we see some amazing performances which will keep the adrenaline up and frightening atmosphere almost up to the mark.

However there are some resemblances with "The Blair witch project", but it's original and scary enough, screenplay is far from clichés.

European movies more open to interpretation and not made for certain targeted audiences. It's up to the viewer, to read between the lines and understand the happenings.

An astonishing thriller.

My Vote 7.1/10

"Villmark" is a pretty good Norwegian horror.It manages to be both interesting and suspenseful,so I enjoyed it.A five people go along on a trip with two leaders into the wilderness.One day,two of the guys are sent out by the group leader Gunnar to go fish in a stream.In a nearby lake they find a drowned body of young woman.Soon they are all stalked by something evil lurking in the dark woods."Villmark" is a creepy and suspenseful horror film.The photography of dark Norwegian woods is astounding and creates a feeling of total dread and hopelessness.The soundtrack is really eerie and the acting is excellent.There is not much gore,but I don't care.Overall,"Villmark" is an enjoyable piece of horror that creeped me out.Highly recommended.

Some people outside of Norway(its made there) think this is made as a copy to "Blair witch project". It is in fact a movie that does homage to the first horror film made in Norway "De dødes tjern"1957 ("lake of the dead"). Norway has lots of forests so Horror in the forest is common.

The movie starts of good with a group of young people getting a job in the woods. An older man, their employer goes with them. The first day they find a body in the lake.......

without telling to much I can say it builds up quite nicely but does not follow through. The ending is so so. Ok effort though. It is not low budget, its normal budget. In Norway we don`t waste our money on flashy CGI and effects, but use time on developing the story and characters instead.

Score 6\10