Kajaki **** (2014, David Elliot, Mark Stanley, Scott Kyle, Benjamin O’Mahony, Bryan Parry) – Movie Review

A devastating, terrifying look at the appalling peril in which a platoon of young British soldiers from the 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment find themselves at the Kajaki Dam, in southern Afghanistan, in 2006.

A sniper patrol sets out to disperse a Taliban road block, crossing a dried-out river bed, where Lance Corporal Stuart Hale (Benjamin O’Mahony) detonates a land mine, losing his leg. Corporal Mark Wright (David Elliot) quickly forms a patrol and they run down the steep hill to help. But every step they make on the river bed brings the possibility of an anti-personnel mine.

This is a brilliantly, incredibly realistically done true-life war story, an honourable tribute to our guys in the front line. But it’s so harrowing and upsetting that it’s almost unbearable to watch. The acting is impeccable, with the soldiers springing to vivid life, enjoying each other’s camaraderie, then caring for each other in the most moving of ways.

The IMDb calls this an ‘adventure’ but actually it’s a horror film – true-life horror that’s really far more frightening than any actual horror movie. The pain and suffering involved reaches such an agonising level you feel an urge to rush from the cinema. As it’s called ‘The True Story’, it couldn’t be any other way. So you have to respect it, stay there grimly in your seat.

However, this is a highly distinguished film, made in Jordan by the way, and a heartfelt labour of love by debut director Paul Katis. It is very strongly recommended for all those fans of war movie with tough stomachs and tougher sensibilities. Tom Williams provides a fine screenplay, with excellent dialogue and storytelling, making up for his previous, very different romcom effort, Chalet Girl.

David Elliot, Mark Stanley (Game of Thrones), Scott Kyle (The Angels’ Share), Benjamin O’Mahony and Bryan Parry (Pride) head up a very powerful ensemble cast.

It also features Liam Ainsworth, Andy Gibbins, John Doughty, Paul Luebke, Thomas Davison, Grant Kilburn, Robert Mitchell, Jon-Paul Bell, Malachi Kirby and Ali Cook.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Movie Review

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com/