Possessed of startlingly fresh performances and a visual style of genuine panache, Shallow Grave was deservedly a BAFTA Best Film winner in 1994. This was clearly a film that deserved attention. Sure enough, the principal talents involved (Director Danny Boyle, Producer Andrew Macdonald, Writer John Hodge and actors Christopher Eccleston and Ewan McGregor) have gone on to huge successes both together (Trainspotting) and apart. The thriller's plot is simple enough: three flatmates take on a fourth (Keith Allen) who unexpectedly dies, leaving a mountain of cash behind. Who are your friends? Who can you trust? How far would you go for money? These are the questions facing Juliet (Kerry Fox), David (Eccleston) and Alex (McGregor) as the scenario spirals out of control around them. Somehow no matter what they do, the decisions seem to lead to one gruesome event after another. The film's often breakneck pace--backed by tunes from Leftfield--quickly became a much-copied style. Most agree that the copies pale beside the original, and this ice-cold morality poser remains the best view of post-80s greed on screen.
On the DVD: Although presented in widescreen anamorphic format, both picture and sound are not much better than an average video playback. Add a static menu and just one trailer and this release will probably disappoint today's DVD collector. --Paul Tonks
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Very entertaining Brit flick Has a lot wrong with it, mainly credibility wise, but the dialogue is sharply written and the roles are sharply played by up and coming actors who make their presence known here. Also has that edgy feel of an ambitious new wave cinema piece. Very watchable.
Christopher Eccleston rocks. Every time I'm about to watch this film, I can't stop thinking how great Christopher Ecclesson is. I know people think I'm weird but their is something about this sarcastic ,intelligent and charismatic actor, I almost forget Ewan Mcgregor and Kerry Fox is in it as well. It's on the same level as Trainspotting and if you like that you will love Shallow Grave. A couple of students living together when one dies and they find a stash of money belonging to him. The dark comedy is what happens next, when they... more info
Tosh I only started watching this film because it had my favourite actor in it, but what a load of tosh!! It was totally unbelievable, a really flimsy plot and I found myself fast-forwarding chunks of it in the hope of getting to the point, which never materialised! A waste of time.
An understated classic I absolutely love this film and it is and will probably always be one of my favourites. But (yes, there's a but), there's one thing that's niggled me ever since the first time I saw this movie . . . why don't they just take the money, and report the body (for those that haven't seen the movie this doesn't spoil the plot I promise) . . . who wouldv'e know it was there? But, I guess, therein lies the plot, and with this slight frustration aside, nobody should let this put them off. There are very... more info
![Shallow Grave [1994]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51YM9KEF3RL._SL160_.jpg)
