But it needs editing. Some scenes were just way too long and should have been edited. But I liked the lead character. He was funny and yet earnest & over the top. I thought he was cute in that history teacher nerdy way. I did not get the ending....but I enjoyed most of the road getting there. The music and scenery were lovely. I loved the mood and the set design. Reminded me of other English 70's psychodramas. I'll probably try to watch it again to see if I missed anything to understand the ending better. It could have been tighter at 45 mins. Some of the walking in the woods scenes were redundant and lent nothing to the story IMHO. But still, it was interesting.
3 Reviews
At times bizarre but constantly stimulating
gentcraig24 December 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I didn't know what to expect watching Temple Wood, as I'm not that familiar with folk tales and I'm a bit of a scaredy-cat when it comes to horror, but having watched Race's previous films and enjoyed them I was keen to see his first feature-length release. The film exuded eeriness, from the Highland setting right down to the unsettling recurrence of the name 'Martin'. The lead part was well-acted and the viewer really got a sense of his isolation both physically and mentally as the story unfolded. The sound and camera work were both excellent, which really makes all the difference to independent films, and I really enjoyed the use of dreams and green screen which gave both a brilliant B-movie edge as well portraying the bizarre and often-illogical inner-workings of a mind on the edge. The themes of pagan rituals played really well into the narrative of Martin's repressed sexuality and abuse, while Race left the viewer with just enough for them to put the final pieces together and make their own mind up. I read afterward that this film was a few years in the making; I just hope we don't have to wait as long for Race's next feature-length piece!
Do Not Eat The Stew!...
azathothpwiggins28 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Dr. Martin Martenson (Mark Mansell) goes missing, and his student, Martin (Adam Butcher) takes it upon himself to investigate. Uncovering Martenson's notes, Martin ends up in the small village of Killmartin, where he checks into a pub run by an odd landlady (Audrey Jenkinson).
Following the notes, Martin locates a mysterious circle of stones. After some strange dreams, Martin presses on, leading to his uncovering secrets best left buried.
TEMPLE WOOD: A QUEST FOR FREEDOM is a short (59 min.), low budget horror film from Scotland. It contains elements like those found in THE WICKER MAN, overlaid with a bleak atmosphere of impending doom that Lovecraft himself would admire.
While some portions are rather cheeezey, like the dream sequences, much of it is effectively disturbing.
This all leads up to the hope-extinguishing finale, where everything goes completely looney! We're talking sexual assault by antler (!), as well as full, flopping male organ exposure here!
While not a masterpiece, it's worth a viewing...
Following the notes, Martin locates a mysterious circle of stones. After some strange dreams, Martin presses on, leading to his uncovering secrets best left buried.
TEMPLE WOOD: A QUEST FOR FREEDOM is a short (59 min.), low budget horror film from Scotland. It contains elements like those found in THE WICKER MAN, overlaid with a bleak atmosphere of impending doom that Lovecraft himself would admire.
While some portions are rather cheeezey, like the dream sequences, much of it is effectively disturbing.
This all leads up to the hope-extinguishing finale, where everything goes completely looney! We're talking sexual assault by antler (!), as well as full, flopping male organ exposure here!
While not a masterpiece, it's worth a viewing...
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