MovieChat Forums > The Last Confession of Alexander Pearce (2009) Discussion > Wow a strong film

Wow a strong film

posted 15 years ago by jonsi88
4 replies | jump to latest

Wow this was a pretty strong and good film I must admit. It surprised me that it was only 60 minutes but somehow it felt like so much happened that it was more than that.

Without telling the storyline I must say that this is a good film, it takes you through a rather horrifying ordeal of a man punished much more than he deserved. How he deals with it, and how the ordeal in the end changes him entirely, and even though his actions are unspeakable I must say while watching you do feel sorry for him and understand that it was inevitable.

I personally think he should not be judged for his actions due to the extreme situation he was in and that it is something that is impossible to pass judgement on. But I hope that many watch this film though and do perhaps share their opinions.

[–] serendigity 15 years ago

I agree. This was shown on ABCTV in Australia a few weeks ago and is an excellent made-for-TV docu-drama. I guess there just wasn't enough storyline to stretch to the full 90-mins-plus for feature film release. And credit to them for making a high quality, well acted, shot on actual location film with no fluff padding to take away from the story line.

Perhaps they could have added back stories for the main characters to find another 30 or so minutes, but the producers chose not to.

Regarding the main theme of the film, and not wishing to give away the storyline to those who have not seen it; unless we find ourselves in a similar situation - how would we know what we would have done? And so, how can we judge his actions? The true but surprising thing about people in those times in Australia was how very little they knew about the new land they were living in - what could and could not be eaten safely etc. Later explorers faired little better when their supplies ran out... Starving when surrounded by food.

[–] jonsi88 15 years ago

Yes very true, I haven't seen it but a friend of mine remembered a documentary that went a little into this story but it's main point was showing the numerous things they could have lived on in the area. Too bad the knowledge wasn't around for them to know at that time hehe :D

[–] pollnagollum 15 years ago

It's widely acknowledged that the area Pearce crossed is pretty inhospitable to even seasoned experts. Les Hiddens (Bushtucker Man) did this great little doco a few years http://shop.abc.net.au/browse/product.asp?productid=726476 and found that even with a decent knowledge of the bush (which none of the convicts had) the terrain yields very little in the way of sustenance, especially during the months Pearce crossed through. Its also worth bearing in mind that the men who escaped were already malnourished, probably suffering hypothermia and possibly suffering mild hallucinations from the ergot baked into the bread feed to them at Sarah Island. Anyone who knows this part of Tasmania will also know how unforgiving the wilderness is.

[–] ashahollick 15 years ago

I was extremely excited about seeing this after reading a book based on hi story, but was a bit let down after reading such an amazing book. I just wanted the fil to go for an extra 30mins to allow for more detail. The relationships between Pearce an Mathers i think who went to Sarah Island on the same boat. More about there life on Sarah Island and the work they did. More about Pearce after he killed Greenhill and before he was captured. It was good, but i feel it could of been better.