The Dark Valley

There isn't much to say about this movie. I was pretty thrilled to hear that Das Finstere Tal was chosen to be among the Oscar candidates. So I simply had to give it a shot, after all it's an Austrian movie. So what I've come to find is that, as you watch the film, it gets more and more awe-inspiring. Sam Riley's performance is simply impeccable. The cinematography stunningly created, the shots simply gorgeous and even the soundtrack is genuinely amazing. Andreas Prohaska has created something I haven't seen in a while. Bottom line, I'd highly recommend the movie to everyone interested in something refreshingly original, an alps-western (even if I never thought this genre would even exist).

To begin with, one should emphasize how great the cinematography was in this movie. Filled with the beautiful imagery of the Alps and an isolated town covered in snow along with the unique Western-Alp type of harsh reality, it truly amazes and captivates the viewer by the heart. The plot was smooth and gripping. Sam Riley, with all his western-style cowboy boots and spurs, was absolutely great in the movie, and he did his best at delivering a very solid performance of a very 'cool' stranger. For me he was a bit too cool, his character could surely be more interactive and talkative but nevertheless it was indubitably more than satisfying. He says that not talking to much, owing to the fact that his German is not that perfect, adds to the coolness of his Eastwood type of cowboy. I should say that some of the songs that are chosen for certain parts of the movie made movie look a bit strange for an Western-Alp flick, if such genre exists. Overall it was beautiful and thus definitely worth watching. If you are looking for something unique, just see this movie, you won't be disappointed.

This is one hard revenge film. My gosh.

The characters are stolid. As the town's secret unravels, and they push it in your view very closely, the energy builds to the culmination.

I will say I really like this film and it is reminiscent of old Eastwood flicks or even newer ones like Django, which are really throwbacks too. Tarantino is a bit more garish but Prochaska keeps it pretty vivid too.

Honestly, the film appears a bit too edited down and my guess is with the language difference it'd been nice if there were more scenes to explain things in certain sections. I noted a lot of other reviews include speculation of why this or that occurred because the story wasn't quite clear in a couple of spots.

IF you like old westerns, you don't mind a bit of graphic violence, this film is probably for you.

This Movie is exceptional German/Austrian Movie. Never saw a Western in this Setting. Sometimes it reminds me of The Great Silence from 1968. But there is something that destroys this incredible Film. The Songs of the Soundtrack are extremely rubbish. What was in Prochaskas Mind, when he choose these Songs? Sad. Great Atmosphere and fine acting, destroyed by a Soundtrack. However, I hope this is the beginning of a new Revival for the European Western. But this time they don't try to pretend that the stories are happening in the US. I can imagine a Western in the Black Forest, or in the flat, wide region of northern Germany, or a polish one.

A revenge western movie in the Alps. How cool sounds that!? The Dark Valley got finest cinematography, a never old growing story about revenge, rough characters living a rough life in some very remote place in the Alps, beautiful landscapes, on top we get a top production + excellent acting performed by Sam Riley and the whole cast. Thumbs up for this fine and exceptional addition to the genre of western and drama. Watch. Pronto.