Sanctum (2011)
Survival themes, violence and language
| Director: | Alister Grierson |
| Actors: | Richard Roxburgh, Alice Parkinson, Rhys Wakefield, Dan Wyllie, Christopher Baker |
Sanctum follows the story of a team of underwater cave divers, on an expedition to the most beautiful, unexplored and least accessible cave system in the world. We meet Frank McGuire (Richard Roxburgh), a single-minded master explorer, his 17-year-old son Josh (Rhys Wakefield), participating under protest, and billionaire Carl Hurley (Ioan Gruffudd) who is underwriting the expedition. When a tropical storm arrives suddenly, their only exit is cut off in a flash flood and they are forced to move forward deeper into the cave. With ever-dwindling lights and supplies, they must navigate the treacherous terrain and raging water, in search of an unknown escape route to the sea. But the cave is unforgiving of mistakes and soon they are each confronted with the unavoidable question - will any of them make it out alive?
| Status: | QuickPick |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 104mins |
| Origin: | AUSTRALIA |
| Aspect Ratio: | 16:9 |
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Member Reviews (70)
70 Member
Reviews
andrew
says
i really liked it apart from the blood and gore
margaret
says
It was interesting to see what people do,not for me but the movie was worth the watch.
RD
says
Should be named Rectum as this movie stinks. Don't bother
E..
says
Good Australian flick! Starts as an adventure story but very quickly becomes a real HORROR movie! It is good to know that the real events by which the script was inspired were not nearly as horrible as the story depicted in this movie. Do not watch it if you suffer from serious claustrophobia. Some scenes were shot in the Gambier cave system, South Australia; other scenes have been recorded in a film studio in Queensland. Worth viewing if you do not mind very scary adventure stories/horror. (I do not give it 5 stars because indeed, the plot was a bit (or frankly much more than just "a bit"!) over the top...
Chris
says
was only ok
Rick
says
Incredibly bad on so many levels. Amateur acting, plot-light, ending an anti-climax, cliched...A fine example of terrible Australian acting. Don't waste your time.
Friday girl
says
Mmmm pot holing mmmmm.
Dianne
says
Another great film. Even better based on a true story. Loved it.
megan
says
Looked alright in the begining but ten got a bit lame, acting wasnt the best.
Jo
says
Storyline was definitely interesting but wasn't really edge of the seat stuff
Kylie
says
Alright to watch but not worth buying. Bit gory in parts
mcfrood
says
Great stuff. Really enjoyed this. Richard Roxburgh is brilliant at the intimate scenes, but I have to admit he is a bit unbelievable in the "I am an alpha male and I am now shouting" scenes - he had a similar problem as Dracula in Van Helsing, and Ioan Gruffud's American Accent was atrocious. I am beginning to believe that the man can only play one character well - Horatio. But apart from these minor gripes this was a spell binding thriller.
movie fun
says
It's a very good but depressing movie. I got a bit upset after watching it.
Robin
says
Ok based on true story..a little too far fetched for me. Satisfactory ending.
Jenn
says
This is one of those movies that is easy fodder for those times when you want distraction and simple enjoyment rather than engaging intrigue or high quality of acting and plot. Its all a bit predictable. The setting and photography were good and the under/ ground/ water sequences were well done. A good one for the family to watch together maybe.
Janice
says
Although a true story, and some wonderful acting by the main characters, this movie did'nt quite grab me or keep me enthralled at times. The setting was well done though and very believable.
jon
says
not a great example of the australian film industry ! overacted and simple plot. Good cinematography
Ange :D
says
Horribly predictable
MA
says
Great movie with exceptionally good camera work. Worth a watch if looking for drama and scenery. Storyline reasonably predictable but how many movies dont have a predictable storyline. Based on a true story.
Jenna
says
Agree with the "The Descent" rip off haha. That was a great movie compared to this. What a load of total c**p!!! What a waste of time - wish I hadn't bothered!! Acting was shocking. Nothing really happened. I can usually find something good in a movie but I can't with this. Awful. I think I've said enough ha!
SG
says
Horrible, an absolute waste for the last hour and forty minutes. It was advertised as having amazing scenes there were only a few and the rest was just bad dialogue, bad acting, bad directing, bad bad so so bad.
Bhargav Shah
says
Very nice movie
stanarosa
says
Ok movie. Acting not that great.
Kait
says
Good, a bit of a rip off of "Descent"
Peter
says
You have to be Fearless to cave dive in my opinion. The underwater scenes are breath taking and we are better for it in our lounge chairs.
Alan
says
A great thriller, we really enjoyed it.
Ben
says
Terrible movie. Didn't enjoy anything about it.
Toby
says
For what it is very well done, recommended.
Doris
says
Great movie .I hope there is a sequel.
adrian
says
This would have to be the most Amazing movie I have ever watched, it is a must see. Based on real events you begin to fee the pain of these people and the coruage it must have taken to take a life is a amazing.. its an OMG movie with your mouth open
JA
says
Awesome
Sandie
says
Found this movie to be very enjoyable, had a bit of everything in it, action, drama and adventure. James Camerson is certainly a master. Well worth it.
Ravi
says
very exciting movie. it is awesome movie for action movie lovers
gmeddy
says
This is plain and simply a dumb movie.
The dumbest thing is that it says it is based on a true story.
Imagine that 3 guys in a tinny out on a lake got a leak and had to swim to shore...
then they made a movie about it and called it Titanic.
that's how stupidly far they have gone from the "true story" this is based on.
add to that the bad acting on the part of all actors and you've got yourself a real waste of time.
I can think of better ways to waste 2 hours though.
Lori
says
My partner loved it, he wanted to buy the DVD. It was just awesome, for me, I thought it was average. I give it a 5 out of 10. My partner gives it a 8 out of 10.
Grant
says
expected more, no real killer punch
Julie
says
waste of a couple of hours very average
kaz
says
good movie, although obvioius what was going to happen, but it least it had a good story line
Joan
says
What an amazing film. I was transformed into the underwater world and caving. The drama unfolded slowly but I was gripped right to the end. A very dramatic movie and could be played out at any time in the unrelenting world of caves and water. Great movie.
j
says
Horrible movie, terrible acting and a very weak storyline, I am sure they put all of the money into nice screen shots instead of better script writers!
fiona
says
I,m really glads I watched this movie, great scenery and although the acting wasn't fantastic the story made up for it.
Recommended.
Cherie8A
says
Enjoyed the movie. It kept you capture from beginning to end.
NPB
says
If you want great underwater cave diving film you will be dissapointed. If you want realism, you will be disapointed, .(I was a cave diver), however if you just want an interesting story you will like it.
julie
says
It was quite enjoyable - I wanted to watch it to the end to see who survived.
Some of the scenes looked a little fake but couldn't expect them to make it in a real cave!. It had me on the edge of my seat at times. Quite good.
AMC
says
I really loved this movie. The authenticity of the diving, the amazing dive scenes, the quality Aussie actors. Watched it twice!
Kristina
says
Wow not at all what I thought it would be like. Very interesting and well acted with lots of suspense.
Ann E.
says
A modern day adventure film that reminded me of 'The Poseidon Adventure' or 'Towering Inferno' from years ago. A team of explorers are traped in underground caves in New Guinea as a hurrican hits and the river water rises forcing them to find an alternative way out, the emotional and physical challenges that have to be meet and as always in extreme crises human nature fails us or pushes us on to safety. BUT why, why, why does Australian films have to have the swearing all the way through every film! ! !
Rebecca
says
nothing special. Funny sounding aussie acsents
Sybil
says
Totally unrealistic, breaks pretty much every law as regards to scuba/cave diving. Good scenery and effects.
Jane
says
Spectacular footage of spectacular underwater caves, shows the dangers of diving and how quickly things can go wrong. Good movie.
GR
says
Wow - what happened JC? And RR - not your best work.
Chris
says
Beautiful cave. Foul language included. Pretty graphic depictyions in places. did not watch to end.
Simon
says
90 minutes of my life lost forever!!
Like Helen a couple of reviews down, I was close to turning it off after 20 minutes.Sooooooo slowwwwwww, and nothing happens!
Dodgy CGI, forced acting by all and clich?d to the max....
How could Cameron get in front of the cameras a few months ago and plug this movie and keep a straight face.
Sallyann
says
Good Aussie actors, great action thriller !
Helen
says
Didin't finish this movie, even though had seen shorts and it looked good. started off very 2nd rate on all levels and didn't encourage me to want to finish watching this one. very disapointed.
KPL
says
Pretty cool movie. Having been a caver for many years it brought back many memories. Specially the panic of a sudden rainstorm when in a cave system. Wish I had have seen this at cinema in 3D
Ang
says
I found it confronting but the cinematography was brilliant. The characters you really do feel for. I am glad I seen it but its made me decide never to go cave diving even with the best.
califate
says
good movie goes to show what arrogance does to ppl
emjaype
says
A very poor movie with a story that makes you want to never watch another movie.
Matthew B.
says
Not a bad film. Well shot. I felt it was a bit over acted.
sue k
says
ho hum..decent without the scare factor,bust mostly it's the Posiedon adventure but without the ship...the scenery is however spectacular and for that I will give my star rating. Cameron's obsession with water shall surely stop here!
Mich
says
It was a little slow to start with but after that I really like this movie. I loved the caves.
phoenix_501
says
complete and utter waste of time. Poor acting, poor dialogue, typical movie made in Australia really.
Andrew N.
says
Breath-taking cinematography and masterly movie making on human survival. This movie was inspired by the Nullarbor incident, which this screenplay is based. So, experientially, it's as "real" as it can get. I did regret not watching this on the wide screen after reading all the bad reviews.
hans koch
says
great movie - kept you interested all the way through. Terrible way to die. deserves a high rating on entertainment value with great effects
MG Thomson
says
The cinematography alone is worth the price of delivery. Beautifully realised with the help of a predominantly Australian film crew, and overseen by that Oz-like man, James Cameron. I didn't like Avatar because of its unreality, this however, is a film taken from the real life of very real cave-divers. It is visceral and a bit of a psychological thriller. Good to see Australian actors in such a big movie.
Christine
says
Beautiful to see the world of a cave diver. Enjoyable movie.
JM14
says
This has no where near the scope of Avatar and Titanic, but was still an entertaining and interesting movie, all about what the characters try to do to survive. I didn't realise before watching it, that it has mostly or all Australian actors, and an Australian writer. A warning for parents, if you're getting this for young fans of Avatar, it has a lot of F-word swearing and several very realistic and disturbing death scenes.
joffa
says
i must admit i expected more. unfortunately been done before much better
Lynney
says
A couple of toe curling scenes. Im claustraphobic so that didn't help. Loosly based on a true strory. Worth watching the making of as well. Dropped the "f" bomb more than I liked but I suppose under the curcumstances I would have too. Interesting look at what cave divers do and how dangerous it is.