Film: Ghosts Of War
Release date: 17th January 2011
Certificate: 15
Running time: 101 mins
Director: Kong Su-chang
Starring: Kam Woo-Seung, Son Byung-ho, Oh Tae-kyung, Park Won-sang, Lee Seon-gyun
Genre: Action/Drama/Horror/Thriller/War
Studio: Palisades Tartan
Format: DVD
Country: South Korea
It almost sounds like any schoolboys dream: war and horror in one package. However, watching this supernatural Vietnam War movie is much more of a nightmare than a dream, but in the best possible way. The movie was released in Korea in 2004, with the title R-Point, and is the fourth highest grossing Korean horror film of all time. It is now being released here on DVD as Ghosts Of War, exclusively available from Sainsbury’s.
After a mysterious radio message is received, a group of nine South Korean soldiers are sent in search of a patrol that went missing six months earlier at a remote outpost known as R-Point.
The soldiers are told during their briefing that the area is safe and that they shouldn’t encounter any Viet-Cong. Their mission is to stay in the area for five days and look for the missing troops, and in return they will all be allowed to return home to their families.
Upon their arrival on the island, however, strange things start to happen, and the simple mission becomes a terrifying struggle for survival...
At a first glance, Ghosts Of War might seem like any other haunted house movie, but simply set during a war. There is very little in the way of war action, the film instead playing more with suspense and atmosphere. Also, being a ghost story, there are hardly any guts and gore on show. However, Ghosts Of War manages to maintain a strong sense of intrigue and fear throughout. Unlike many haunted house style movies, they don’t just have to stay there for one night, which gives the atmosphere and intensity much more room to develop.
Many people have been surprised to discover a South Korean Vietnam War movie, although South Korea did play quite an important role in the Vietnam War, fighting alongside the American troops and against communism. In a way, it is great to see a Vietnam movie that is not just about America vs. Communism. Being a modern film, Ghosts Of War keeps its hands fairly clean of any propaganda or political viewpoints about the reasons behind the war.
However, R-Point is far from being positive about war. The soldiers are very much tired of being soldiers and only volunteer for the mission because it will be a ticket home. Most of them are only in the army due to being drafted or to feed their families. Without giving too much away, there is also a strong thematic emphasis on ideas like the sins of the past. Even during war, evil deeds don’t go unpunished, and, in the army, nobody is innocent regardless of their motivations.
Unlike its western counterparts, such as Deathwatch, the setting and locations used for Ghosts Of War are absolutely breathtaking - although everything looks terrifying at night. There are some beautiful bamboo forests, ancient statues, and the outpost building itself, which really make you wish you had travelled more, as well as making the movie incredibly visually striking. At times, these beautiful surroundings act as an offset to the atmosphere of dread that dominates the soldiers, making the natural beauty foreboding as if tainted with the evils of war. Unlike American soldiers, the Korean forces are much more comfortable in the terrain and climate of Vietnam, and the way the surroundings are shot without the gloomy jungles, leaches and mud reflects this.
In addition to the sets, there is some excellent cinematography on display. The lighting, particularly on the night scenes, is really well done. There are some shots at night with heavy rain that look absolutely amazing. Director, Wong Su-chang, and his crew certainly have a good eye for style and flair, and it is perhaps this artistic direction that makes the film so successful at holding the audience on the edge of their seats, since there is so much more on offer than thrills and chills.
For any fan of Asian horror, Ghosts Of War is an absolute must - and sure to please. It has had huge success in its native country of South Korea, and when you see it, you can see why. It has enough suspense, tension, fear and paranoia to keep anyone awake for days. After watching Ghosts Of War, you will be left with no doubt in your mind that war is indeed hell, albeit good, scary fun! DOB
