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Cast: Brandon Auret, Brian Baynes, Christopher Beasley, Corine Du Toit, Kenneth Fok, Leroy Gopal, Susana Kennedy
Against the tranquil backdrop of a game reserve, South African thriller Night Drive tracks a group of tourists left stranded during a night-time game drive after their vehicle breaks down. As a series of terrifying events unfolds, the tourists realise that wild animals are the least of their fears.
Local legend has it that the Hyena Man a power-obsessed madman who once traded in animal parts heads a well armed, well trained group of poachers who are on the hunt for human body parts and who are known to trade in live human beings.
When the tourists come across a womans mutilated body, ex-special forces soldier turned game ranger Jack Darwin becomes hell-bent on tracking down the poachers. He leaves the group in the care of his superstitious tracker, Akani (Yule Masiteng).
Jacks estranged son Sean (Christopher Beasley) becomes the visitors only hope for survival. But if hes going to keep them alive he has to confront his own demons first.
"Night Drive" is a South African thriller/horror from first time Director, Justin Head who also wrote the screenplay. You would never know this was Justin's first time behind the camera by watching the film because it looks amazing. The story has a main character in Sean but don't think for a minute that he's the whole story, the almost dozen characters in the film are all part of the story-line and they are all well-developed. The basic story-line is pretty simple but it's the film's complex characters that make this such an engaging piece of cinema. Early on you develop feelings for each one of the characters in one way or another.
To go into details about the plot would only ruin certain surprises that await those of you that haven't see the film yet so I am not going to do that plus what is already written about the story here is all you really need to know. The film is very fact pace plus it's suspenseful and at times frightening. At heart it's a thriller with scenes of horrific violence that enhances the story and never becomes it. There is a good amount of blood and gore for those of you that enjoy that kind of thing but "Night Drive" is mainly a thrill ride that will have you holding on to your seat to see who survives and who doesn't.
The film is a game of survival but it's also about a man who can't let go of the past and is looking for some kind of redemption. This is a unique film for it's country but it's also one of the best written and directed films in it's genre I have seen in some time. "Night Drive" is a must-see, must-own film for all fan's of the genre. The action, drama and suspense never let up till the credits begin to roll and I really enjoyed the twist towards the end as well. The production rivals anything coming out of Hollywood plus the ensemble cast did an amazing job playing out these complex characters plus the direction is brilliant, I for one cannot wait to see what Justin Head has coming out next. "Night Drive: is one hell of a ride and is not to be missed.
The DVD comes with Special Features that include:
Behind the Scenes
Actors Hit the Gym
Deleted Scenes
Featurettes: Cinematography/Make-up/Stunts
Wanted Campaign
You can order the DVD by visiting Osiris Entertainment HERE.
Released by Osiris Entertainment
**** Out Of *****