User Reviews

THE UNKINDNESS OF RAVENS is an indie horror flick that hails from Scotland of all places. The story is about a soldier on leave and on his own in the countryside, where he begins to go out of his mind, suffering from visual and aural hallucinations. There are mirror conversations and general talking-to-the-camera moments. It's very basic indeed, without much to recommend it, other than a solidly gruesome climax which has a few decent bits.

I took a chance a couple of years ago by throwing a few quid on Kickstarter on a spooky looking film called "Lord Of Tears". This was one of the best things I did as it was exactly the sort of atmospheric horror/ghost story that I've wanted for a long time. When I saw the campaign for this follow up film there was no hesitation in adding to the funding. Today I received my copy......

Like Lord Of Tears/The Owlman there's a very isolated feel to the film. The protagonist spends the majority of the film alone in a cottage surrounded by bleak misty hills, fields and forests. It's established that he's an ex soldier living rough. We learn over the course of the film just how much of a toll Afghanistan took on him. He's dealing with PTSD from the things he saw and experienced. The titular Ravens soon appear to torment and push him into madness. He ends up dragged into a living hell where the Ravens have claimed other damaged soldiers. Unfortunately these have already suffered the tortures of the Raven warriors (who have a penchant for eye removal). From this point he either has to face his demons or remain trapped in their realm.

It's an intelligent film with a lot to say about how the experiences of war can affect our troops. It's easy to see the Raven warriors as a metaphor for the creeping depression that can so easily take hold of men and women who've seen the unspeakable horrors of war. The Ravens themselves are visually imposing and an excellent design for the film.

It has a vibe of the original Wicker Man due to it's surroundings and gentle music (another high point). I also got the feel of one of the old BBC Christmas Ghost stories whilst watching it (but that's more me than the film as it's that time of year). It's a film that will stay with me for a couple of days and probably deserves multiple watches to let it all soak in.

There's a definite talent and vision behind The Owlman and The Unkindness Of Ravens which is sadly lacking in today's horror industry. Thank god for Lawrie Brewster and Sarah Daly for their atmospheric, haunting and creepy productions. I can't wait to see what they come up with next.

Andrew (Jamie Scott Gordon) is a homeless veteran Scotsman who has trouble dealing with what happened to him during the war. His case worker Angela (Amanda Gilliland) arranges for him to go off to a retreat home. He is to keep a diary and to write down his accounts, thoughts, and poems, allowing Sarah Daly to showcase her work. Andrew must face his "demons" which take the form of ravens and men dressed in a black hooded robe with a raven skull face. Andrew likes photography for the first half of the film.

The special effects while inexpensive for the most part, was effective. The horror aspect was all visual as we know the demons are all psychological. About an hour into the story his flashback tale becomes more clear as he seems to of had multiple traumatic events happen to him.

I liked the sound track and even the poetry. Good camera angles and the Scottish drawl was not so fast and heavy as to prevent me from understanding what was said. More of a "one man" drama. Not for everyone.

Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity. Eye removal...which make me squirm

What can I say but wow!!!! I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. Jamie Gordon plays the role of an ex-soldier suffering from PTSD so well I could believe that he really was suffering and was descending into his own nightmarish hell. As an Ex-soldier myself whom has lost friends to PTSD, I found myself moved to tears knowing that his portrayal was very close to the mark. The film itself was amazing and very well shot. A joy to watch. The Raven warriors were both evil looking and at the same time intriguing to watch. Like the old plague doctors. The ending was not what I was expecting and throw me a bit. I've already organized some friends coming over for beers and a showing of the film. This film is now on my own favorite list.

I was quite unsettled watching an unkindness of ravens, because this could be anyone suffering with any kind demons. I do not get queasy often but the eye plucking got me and I had to close my eyes at one point. I really felt for poor Andrew and the anguish he went through, his pain and isolation. I hope to be able to watch it again to catch all the things I missed (will probably close my eyes again at the same parts though). If I had to pick between an unkindness of ravens and lord of tears, I would pick lord of tears just because of the lack of eyeball removals. They are both fantastic movies and worth a watch.

Severely traumatized Afghanistan war veteran Andrew (a fine and credible performance by Jamie Scott Gordon) decides to hole up in an isolated cabin in the Scottish Highlands in order to confront his own demons along with his fear of ravens.

Director Lawrie Brewster relates the compelling story at a steady pace, makes nice use of the verdant sylvan countryside, and ably crafts a super tense and creepy mood. Sarah Daly's perceptive script astutely nails the horrors of PTSD. The striking cinematography by Brewster and Gavin Robertson delivers a wealth of stunningly grotesque and unsettling visuals. A genuinely harrowing ride.