The Village Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Their Days Of Peace Are Over (Denmark)
Run. The truce is ending.
I: Let the bad color not be seen. It attracts them. II: Never enter the woods. That is where they wait. III: Heed the warning bell, for they are coming.
There is no turning back
In a quiet, isolated village in olde Pennsylvania, there lies a pact between the people of the village and the creatures who reside in the surrounding woods: the townspeople do not enter the woods, and the creatures do not enter the village. The pact stays true for many years, but when Lucius Hunt seeks medical supplies from the towns beyond the wood, the pact is challenged. Animal carcasses, devoid of fur, begin to appear around the village, causing the council of elders to fear for the safety of the village, the pact, and so much more.
| Bryce Dallas Howard | Ivy Walker |
| Joaquin Phoenix | Lucius Hunt |
| Adrien Brody | Noah Percy |
| William Hurt | Edward Walker |
| Sigourney Weaver | Alice Hunt |
| Brendan Gleeson | August Nicholson |
| Cherry Jones | Mrs. Clack |
| Celia Weston | Vivian Percy |
| John Christopher Jones | Robert Percy |
| Frank Collison | Victor |
| Jayne Atkinson | Tabitha Walker |
| Judy Greer | Kitty Walker |
| Fran Kranz | Christop Crane |
| Michael Pitt | Finton Coin |
| Jesse Eisenberg | Jamison |
| M. Night Shyamalan |
6.60 out of 10 (48309 votes)
Visitor Reviews
waste of time
posted on 31 Aug 2009I was very disappointed with this film it's slow , boring and a complete waste of time. i waited for a twist at the end but i if there was one i missed it or it was so insignificant it made little difference to story. if there is going to be a twist let it change the films direction, what we got was a film with no story until the end of the film when something slightly interesting happened. why were they there? was it a lost village or an experiment? please help. I do like films and as i sat down to watch this one i was expecting a lot more something like thie sixth sense something that made you want to watch it again to try and piece the puzzle together or little clues to totally en-expected ending. Tottally disappointing!
Don't believe the Hype!!!
posted on 31 Aug 2009Mmmm...To be honest, I am very much my own man...I don't follow trends... I don't believe the Hype!!! Just because a billion people say a film is good might not necessarily mean that I will follow suit...So this opinion is VERY much my own...To start off with, I've NEVER been much of a Shyamalan fan.Now before you start to curse me... I DID think that the Sixth Sense was one of the BEST movies I have ever seen. Well directed, well acted... A totally beautiful, moving and sometimes frightening film.But what is happening here... I think... Is some kind of Director's Ego Syndrome...Shyamalans other films, including this one, have been crap... Let's face it. Perhaps his name pulls in the crowds... A bit like what a Spielberg film or a Woody Allen film would do (notice how Shyamalans' name is portrayed on the film's title). A desperate measure methinks, 'cos this movie is bad... Really bad.Now... I don't mind being tricked... Shyamalan tricked me with the Sixth Sense... It's cool... It was a damn good movie and I enjoyed the twist at the end.But now he seems obsessed with tricking us at EVERY opportunity!!! To the point of ridiculousness.I'm sorry... I don't mind having plots twisted on me but I don't like being tricked just for the sake of being tricked.I would NOT be complaining if the film was any good... But it ain't. It's bad... Slow... Laborious... AND finally... Ultimately... Ridiculous!!!This film is for Shyamalan fans only... Perhaps he knows his fans go to his movies NOT to enjoy them as such, but to try and work out the FINAL TWIST at the end... A sick game of director cat and naive film audience mouse!!!I'm sorry... But next time another Shyamalan film comes out... I for one will not buy into its hype!!!
If the ending wasn't ruined beforehand, it would have been a perfect suspenseful thriller
posted on 29 Aug 2009While not quite as good as 'Signs' and 'The Sixth Sense', I found 'The Village' very enjoyable. It was eerily atmospheric with the usual unexpected twists M. Night Shyamalan delights in. This film is a reminder that with good camera-work and an original story, CGI and computer-added effects are not always needed.The story centres around an American village of the Nineteenth Century that is surrounded by woods inhabited with strange creatures. There is a truce between the villagers and the creatures that so long as the villagers don't wear red nor breach the woods then they will not be harmed. This truce is violated when a young blind girl has to cross through the woods to bring medicine for an injured loved one.Yes, it's a vague summary but I can't say too much without ruining the twists (which there are three of).Some critics have said they saw the ending a mile off but somehow I doubt it and I imagine these critics are the sort of people who criticise a film to make themselves look 'sophisticated' and 'intelligent'. I think Shyamalan has created another masterpiece and directed excellent performances from the cast, in particular William Hurt and Bryce Dallas Howard, although Sigourney Weaver did seem a little under used.One major problem is that this is the sort of film that should be released in the US and the UK on the same date. Shyamalan could find a drop in UK sales primarily because some UK cinema-goers will know exactly what the twists and may avoid the film are thanks to a number of inconsiderate American viewers who saw the film then in their reviews announced to the world what happens without leaving spoiler warnings. Therefore, I and a few of my friends went in knowing exactly what would happen, and like all of Shyamalan's films, knowing did take some of the fun from the storyline.
Can i get some more boom mic please?????????????
posted on 27 Aug 2009First off i hated signs. Good build up and then terrible ending. This movie has a cool atmosphere to it. Good set up..but where is it going? The movie just got goofy in the last half. Thats all im going to say about it. Now to the most important part.The Boom mic shows up like 7 times in the movie!!!!!!!Never have i seen a boom mic show up so much in scenes. It should have been credited as having a role in the film. I gave the movie a 5...now i think i was wrong...i should have given it a 3. Good set up. not much pay off.I think people will see the major twist coming a mile off if your just paying attention.
It's Not About Intellect
posted on 27 Aug 2009Spoiler It's about expectations. The ones on this board who liked this movie (me included) aren't lording over the ones who didn't many of us just went in with different expectations of what we would see. Yeah, Night has a history of misleading trailers and twisting plots. That's an advantage and disadvantage at this point - we're all looking for the twist now; expecting it and disappointed when we find it. Well you can't have it both ways. This movie seems to be more of a "thinker" than his others - I didn't decide I liked it until the next day, now I actually want to see it again. And don't discount the studios role in this. They have a history of screwing up production and promotion of films they don't get. Star Wars and Jaws barely got made and after screening Star Wars one exec. suggested C3P0 should have a mouth b/c moviegoers wouldn't understand how he could talk! So it's entirely possible and I wouldn't be surprised if the studio up-played the horror angle to get the summer audience into the theaters thinking (wrongly again) if we knew the movie was deeper than the usual slasher fair we'd stay away. So yeah, we didn't get a monster movie but take a closer look at the story and characters after you let go of your old expectations - there is a lot there
Excellent
posted on 27 Aug 2009i don't really know where to start with this film, i wanted to see it, but at the same time didn't. i wasn't really bothered either way, but as it happens went last night to see it, and i adored it. it had me laughing, crying, and biting my nails. the film itself is set funnily enough in a village. its about a small town of simple people, that just happen to have something evil living in the woods next to them. For me this film wasn't about the monsters, it was about the love, and emotion one person can have for another person. i can not go into to much detail about this film as i would not want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it yet. yet what i will say is, go see it, even if you don't think you will like it give it the chance. its a fantastic film with a awesome cast. i only had a few complaints about the movie, many things were left unexplained, for example the beginning we are not told what happened. also a lot of things are left without a conclusion to them, this could be seen as either a good or bad thing. we are left to use our imaginations and decide for ourselves what comes of The Village.9 out of 10.
Predictable and disappointing... it sucks!
posted on 25 Aug 2009This movie wasn't what I expected at all. It was slow moving and boring for the most part, the camera guy must've been drunk, and the parts that were supposed to be sad or touching were just plain funny. Not to mention that the damn movie had no ending. Half way trough the movie I had already figured out what was the "secret" of the village, making the las 30 minutes of the movie a torture. In my opinion... the movie plain sucked. Boring, not scary, and long. Not a good combination.MPAA: Rated PG-13 for a scene of violence and frightening situations. (Frightening... right! Gremlins is scarier than this sorry flick!).
Like A Slow, Long Extended "Twilight Zone" Episode
posted on 23 Aug 2009"The Village" is a beautiful looking, but slow, long extended "Twilight Zone" episode or Ruth Rendell-type mystery with a twist.Not only does the camera move slowly, but the characters speak very slowly, especially William Hurt as the Village Elder, to emphasize their non-modern context. So Bryce Dallas Howard lights up the screen almost by default because she gets showier action and lines (though she looks so much like Judy Greer playing her screen sister that I was confused at first about Joaquin Phoenix's subtly quietly different reactions to each).And there isn't much else that Phoenix gets to do, other than look like he could be the object of desire of two young women which he doesn't have to do much to be for any woman, even a blind one, while Adrien Brody just has to laugh a lot as the Village Idiot. The very slow build-up does finally have an ironic pay off, but we've gotten pretty restless by then.
Shyamalan is a master of mood and plot.
posted on 23 Aug 2009I went to see the village today. I have to say that even though I am a HUGE fan of his work, I was not necessarily looking forward to seeing this movie. My apprehension was largely due to bad press about the "weak plot". Now, I know for sure never to listen to critics again! This movie was PHENOMENAL!!! >From the the very first frame I was drawn into an incredible world of mood and mystery. I went into the movie knowing one of the plot twists. Someone at work gave it away. But, it didn't matter I was totally sucked into this world and into the people's lives who populated it. Shyamalan is a master of creating a sense of isolation in all his movies and this is no exception. All the performances were pitch perfect from William Hurt as one the elders to Joaquin Phoenix as Lucius to Bryce Dallas Howard as Ivy. If, in retrospect, some minor plot points don't seem quite logical, it doesn't matter. Because for the 109 minutes I watched the film it was totally believable. Isn't that what great movies are supposed to do, transport you to another world? A+++++
Whaaaa. B'uh.
posted on 23 Aug 2009(Spoilers maybe)I was conned! Yes. I wanted a twist but not one that was so ridiculous! "The Sixth Sense" was okay, "Unbreakable" was dire, "Signs" was one of the best films in recent years and "The Village" was a bitter disappointment.Joaquin Phoenix is the star of this film... Who isn't the star of the film!?!?!?!?! I didn't read up on this film before walking into the cinema but the trailer campaign completely took on the notion that this was a Phoenix Vs. The Evil in the Woods! This wasn't the case.This is a film about paranoia & modern western world society I guess!I'd say to anyone considering watching "The Village" I'd say yes, watch it, have an opinion ... You're either going to be outstanding by the journey M.N-S takes you on or consider the film silly.
The Village is not to be seen.
posted on 21 Aug 2009Never before as an audience member have I felt so blatantly manipulated. Suspenseful music that at its climax comes to rest on views of gently bending trees or a peacefully rippling stream. The audience is tricked into believing it is a simpler time - period clothing, cumbersome speech, large outdoor Pilgrim-like feasts, and worst of all, a tombstone placing the date as 1897. The last was cheap - why when no one else in The Village except those prolific procreating Elders know what the actual date is anyway? Red hair, red lipstick - when red is verboten. The blind woman who sees in colors - don't ask me what color you are. The security guy lifting meds, the newspaper with all the murder and bad news, open, juxtaposed, M. Night in a reflection of a medicine cabinet. Please. This movie is vying with the Phantom Menace and Beethoven's 2nd as worst movie I have ever seen.
This weekend, "The Village" was a popular place...
posted on 21 Aug 2009An accurate observation of this summer's box office hits would be comprised of multiple films set in the past, such as 'King Arthur' and 'The Notebook.' But one film may catch a suspense-thriller's eye. M. Night Shyamalan's 'The Village' captivates movie-goers everywhere, while taking in $50.8 million on its first weekend. Do not come into our woods and we will not come into your town. That is the motto for Covington, Pennsylvania, a small town surrounded by a forest bearing peculiar, cloaked creatures. The town is soon being invaded after a member of the community, Lucius Hunt (Joaquin Phoenix) decides to explore their woods. The plot continues to unfold after a series of mysterious events soon occur and a voyage across the woods is much needed.Based on the fact that the inspiration of the story came from Wuthering Heights for its period drama and King Kong for its community living in fear of voracious creatures, this movie sure has its divergence from any other. If you are in the mood for suspense, this movie wouldn't be a waste of two hours. Ignoring a couple of hokey elements, M. Night Shyamalan has succeeded again. Five stars.
not exactly what I would call a breakthrough
posted on 21 Aug 2009M. Night Shyamalan, writer/director of "The Sixth Sense", "Signs", and "Unbreakable" has come up with an idea in 2004 called "The Village". I felt I really wanted to see this movie when I first saw the coming attractions for it, but personally, as more and more bad reviews about this movie showed up on IMDb, I was a little unsure about this motion picture. I expected this movie to be about an endangered village located in Pennsylvania, and when I entered the theater for it, I expected a chilling, spine-tingling frightening movie. But what I got was a bag of green slop. I expected there to be a meaning in this movie, as all the others of Shyamalan's movies are. But I must say, I was a little impressed with the story, but the special effects were absolutely despicable. The monster looked like he was made out of plastic; I've had dry hands that looked scarier than that. I have to admit that a few parts made me jump, but during others, I was laying in the seat, ready to fall asleep. Normally, in all Shyamalan's movies, there is a surprise ending that shakes your spine, but in this movie, there was a quote from one of the characters, and then "An M. Night Shyamalan Film" showed up on the screen. I haven't seen so much disappointment in a movie in my whole entire life. Please take my advice, don't waste your time or money on this crap. 0/10*
welcome back M. Night Shyamalan
posted on 21 Aug 2009I was disappointed of M. Night Shyamalan falling under Mel Gibson's religious fervor and mixing science fiction with Catholicism in 'Signs'. Luckily, my concerns were eased by 'The Village'. M. Night Shyamalan is back, and 'The Village' sits well among his good movies.A previous commenter observed that two categories of viewers seek M. Night Shyamalan's movies. Those who like horror stories, and those who look for the hidden traps specific to his writing and directing. In my opinion both categories find good stuff here. The horror story thread is very convincing, and the first half of the movie recreates a 1800s American settlers environment mixed with a Gothic horror story thread that was very credible for me. Yes, I was willing to be fooled, but you need to be a willing fool if you want to enjoy horror movies. The explanation of the trap in the second part of the film has logic and morals. One may argue about the approach taken by the characters in their attempt to fly the evils of civilization, but not with the quality of the cinema used to give the story.Cinematography fits well the twists of the action, with a color code that is well explained and will soon become part of the stony. Acting is superb. Jaochin Phoenix and Adrien Brody give two of their best performances ever, William Hurt is William Hurt, and the fresh face of Bryce Dallas Howard fills in well the screen in her first lead role.Highly recommended. 9 out of 10 on my personal scale.
This was your last chance M. Night Shyamalan!
posted on 19 Aug 2009And you blew it.I have seen all of his major films: 6th Sense, predicted. Unbreakable, enjoyed and was hoping for the rumored "trilogy" to come. Signs, whoopty-freaking-do. The Village, Please stop him making any more films.This was his last chance for me, really. Shyamalan is a master of setting, there is no doubt. It is when he just plain uses the "insert twist you just KNOW is coming" he falls apart. Let's get this straight with him: He is NOT the master of THE TWIST. He caught a lucky break with the pop culture buzztalk of 6th Sense and that is all. He had master cinematographer Roger Deakins (of Coen Bros. films and perhaps one of the best in the business as far as I'm concerned) working for him, but it's an untapped talent gone to waste in this pretentious wad of ego. He had top acting talents such as Weaver and Hurt, but they are merely skirted to lackluster supporting roles.(I wanted to give Hurt a dang comb the entire time he was on the screen.)The plot as you well know, revolves around a 19th century village (gee, hence the title) that is basically kept there by some monsters lurking in the woods. Neat. Too bad there are too many disappointing answers to the questions raised. The Script, stilted and shallow. The Acting, wooden. The Story, predictable.By the previews I was really hoping for something with some substance. Perhaps a modern interpretation of a pagan myth element come to life in the vein of a Hammer picture? Nope, it was just a Shyamalan-a-thon. A loss of innocence tale done with a generalized heavy hand.When I went, 8 people walked out when the twist was finally revealed. Were they let down or was it that too many people in the audience were cracking jokes and laughing at this mess?I know his work is greatly respected by people. His simplicity of story and attention to atmosphere is perhaps the most ambitious in Hollywood, but the mix never really turns out right. It's like oil and water. And with his popularity on the Hollywood A-list, it seems to me that his film-making will only get more "M. Night Shyamalan-esque" and that is just a crying shame. 1 outta 5
Okay movie, but the worst of his lot IMO
posted on 19 Aug 2009Seems like all of Shyamalan's movies tend to start off slow and build until the plot thickens as much as it can before revealing some earth shattering ending. This one was similar in many ways, the acting was good, and the cinema photography was good, the story was so so IMO. However this movie lacked something for me. Yes it was a slow developing & unwinding story (similar to his previous movies), but I guess I just failed to find enough interest in the plot and the characters as well because of that.Slight Spoilers ahead I found this movie more strange than entertaining. From the first few minutes you know something just isn't right with this town and you think you're watching some Star Trek episode about a pre warp civilization. And then comes the monster talk, the fear these villagers have of them, and the ambiance surrounding them. While it was semi intriguing, I started to loose interest when I found out certain things about the creatures and the main guy meets with an unfortunate circumstance. I didn't yet unravel the reason for much of this, but obviously I knew something was very odd. At this point I keep watching, semi interested in what's going to happen to the girl. I'm glad she killed the village idiot (too much jean mixing I guess) as he was just annoying. Then she finally reaches her destination and the whole plot twist comes spewing out like a drunk on new years eve. At this point I'm really loosing interest and saying to myself "Um… this is it???" The fire works I was expecting had been a few sparklers instead. Snap crackle and pop and then nothing. I started off with little interest, then it built up, then just when it was supposed to keep climbing as is my previous experiences with Shyamalan's movies have been, it started dropping off. Not because I couldn't believe what was unfolding or the possibility of it, I just found it stupid and a let down. Kind of like going on a treasure hunt only to find a secret decoder ring. It was at this point where I said, "Man I watched this thing for 90 minutes just to find out this!?!!Clearly his worst film that I have seen. Either he's running out of original stories with cool twist endings, or I missed the boat on this one. That being said I wouldn't say it was horrible, and had I only watched the first half of it I might have better things to say about it, but the ending was a big let down for me and pretty much spoiled things leaving a bad taste in my mouth. If you are fans of his other movies, give it a try (when there's nothing better to rent), you might really like it. Then again you might see it like I did.
Don't . . .
posted on 19 Aug 2009Underrated, Very good, Shyamalan's best, Brilliantly-nuanced, Wonderful, Moving, Entertaining, Great, Beautiful, Amazing, Excellent – these are just a few of the phrases used by the very many people posting here who liked this film. Those more discerning victims who weren't so keen on it observed that the movie was Boring, Pointless, Awful and a Snoozefest. Here's another word for it – Pants! And, as IMDb has informed me that this comment is too short to be accepted, here are some more… Funereally slow, Ridiculously-plotted, Woodenly-acted, Mind-numbingly and irritatingly-scored and Stultifyingly-derivative. At a mere one hour 43 minutes, it's still just about the longest movie I have ever sat through, and makes Abel Gance's 378-minute 1927 silent epic Napoleon feel a commercial break. Advice? Don't . . .
Classic M. Night
posted on 17 Aug 2009With the Sixth Sense, M. Night Shyamalan re-ignited the use of the twist ending (which has been greatly overused since) and does not fail to create another suspense-filled movie that audiences love in "The Village." Using the recurrent setting of eastern Pennsylvania, M. Night's formula of unlikely heroes versus the unknown is flexed once again as a rural, isolated village managed by a council of elders lives with the imminent threat of monsters on their borders.Though lacking superstar performances from the likes of Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, or Mel Gibson, the cast of "The Village" is wonderful in this apparent period piece. William Hurt nails the role as the small town's leader and Joaquin Phoenix (who gained a certain amount of fame from "Gladiator" and M. Night's "Signs") plays the character of the quiet yet brave possible hero very well. However, the importance of Adrien Brody and Bryce Dallas Howard is downplayed in previews yet fit right into their positions as the hero and the unknown.Even though I basically predicted the ending from the preview and the commercials, I had no idea it would specifically end the way it did.Finally, as my friend commented, "This is like a blind Blair Witch," I believe she is right in that many who see this movie will shudder a bit on next time entering the woods and seeing the color red.
Great film- some SPOILER tidbits
posted on 17 Aug 2009I was reading some of the reviews here, and while people certainly have a right to their opinion, I really think they missed the point. This was true to Night's other movies in it's vision and attention to detail. It was different however in that he wasn't going for the "shocker ending". The ending was to me just part of the story. There were tense moments, monsters, and perhaps events one did not see coming... however- the conclusion was only what the people in the film were running from: that violence had touched them where they thought it would not. That you cannot control your environment to that degree and that bad things can and will happen "where you live". You can however choose to be brave in the face of it to help someone who needs it; to be an unsung hero if you will. That's it- simplified of course. I could go on about the imagery and the metaphors that he used, but instead just go watch it- A brilliantly told, brilliantly acted and brilliantly directed film.
In defense of THE VILLAGE
posted on 31 Aug 2009Well, the film just opened today and I'm already sick and tired ofeveryone (critics AND fans) whining over the unsurprising twists.GET OVER IT. No plot twist in the world could satisfy all the plotnerds in the world who are posting the lamest plot detailcomplaints on message boards all over the web. HERE'S THEDEAL: The Village is beautifully filmed, gorgeously scored, eerilyatmospheric, provocatively suggestive, emotionally intriguing, andnot at all what audiences expect after the massive media blitz ofhorror-movie style TV ads. People are bound to be disappointed,but maybe they should take a second look after they get past theirown expectations. The film is a lovely little allegory. It's Hawthornemeets Lovecraft in The Twilight Zone, with light social commentaryon the politics of fear and repression. And best of all, M. Nightdeserves cheers for delivering midnight movie suspenseWITHOUT A SINGLE DIGITAL SPECIAL EFFECT. For me, that's hisgreatest strength as a director, his quiet mastery of old-fashionedfilmmaking techniques. Even Signs, my least favorite film of hisbecause the human story was so unconvincing, delivered realchills in its first half. In conclusion, GIVE THE VILLAGE A CHANCE,but don't expect a rollercoaster monster scream fest with wildlyunpredictable twists