Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4957 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-09-04
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 120 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
A lot of movies can be described as "dripping with atmosphere," but in the case of Silent Hill it's literally true. Faithfully adapted from the Konami video games by French director Christophe Gans and Pulp Fiction cowriter Roger Avary (both self-confessed video game addicts), this dark and grisly horror-fest is nothing if not a triumph of cinematography and production design, consisting of a minimal and mostly incoherent plot propped up by a mysterious maze of sets that literally seep, drip, and ooze with the atmospheric evil of past misdeeds. Welcome to the abandoned and perpetually foggy ghost town of Silent Hill, where grey ash falls like snow, a devastating coal-mine fire still burns in a hellish underground, and demons of various shapes and sizes make your worst nightmares seem like a walk in the park. It's here that distressed mother Rose (played by Pitch Black heroine Radha Mitchell) has taken her daughter Sharon (Jodelle Ferland) in hopes of discovering the source of Sharon's sleepwalking nightmares. What they find instead is a burned-out legacy of unspeakable evil, as Silent Hill's dark secrets are revealed. As opposing denizens of Silent Hill's meta-morphing underworld, Canadian actresses Alice Krige and Deborah Kara Unger seem to be the only ones who recognize this morbid mess as campy comedy; Gans (who established his visual flair with The Brotherhood of the Wolf) and Avary take it far too seriously, and the entire movie is utterly devoid of any emotional hooks or plot logic that would make us care about anything that happens. In crafting a loyal big-screen rendition of Silent Hill and its Playstation sequels, they've forgotten that movies play by a different and more demanding set of rules. As a result, they've made an impressive-looking but ultimately hollow horror film that only Silent Hill game-players can truly appreciate. --Jeff Shannon

Synopsis
Rose Da Silva is a young mother whose adopted daughter Sharon speaks of the West Virginia mining town of Silent Hill as she sleepwalks. Rose decides to take Sharon there in an attempt to discover why it haunts her dreams but Silent Hill has been a ghost town since a series of underground coal fires in 1974, and the residents who stayed behind are the stuff of nightmares. It's always been said that a video game cannot be successfully adapted into a film. With SILENT HILL, director Christophe Gans (BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF) and screenwriter Roger Avary (KILLING ZOE) have the benefit of the atmospheric and often terrifying game series of the same name. With a budget reportedly in excess of $50 million, they wisely eschew dense plot in favour of a kaleidoscopic nightmare--culled from several volumes of the game series--designed to give horror fans what they crave. SILENT HILL is notable for having a largely female cast (the male characters were reportedly added at the studio's behest), with Radha Mitchell (PITCH BLACK), Deborah Kara Unger, Alice Krige, and Laurie Holden in the principal roles. But the film's real star is production designer Carol Spier (known for her frequent work with David Cronenberg), whose work makes the deserted town into a true vision of hell. Utilizing an effective combination of CGI and latex makeup effects, several of the creatures on display may upset more sensitive viewers, as will some of the carnage. On the other hand, seasoned horror fans and gamers who have been waiting to see a joystick-free version of SILENT HILL are likely to come away feeling like they've just taken a nightmare vacation to the spookiest town in America.

Customer Reviews

Don't expect to understand.
I adore the game series and have read a LOT about the theories and back story of the games so feel I understand Silent Hill more than the average person who just wanted to watch a horror movie. There are parts of this that don't make sense unless you've some idea of the games/background and I think that's sad as it is a great movie, great atmosphere, great acting (Aside from Sean Bean who I usually think is great) and an original idea.
I can't wait for the second one.

Fresh horror film
I have never played the games but I like horror films and this one I liked. It is very atmospheric and the scenery is terrific. It is a horror movie that doesn't use cheap tricks and there is a lot of suspense. It has a intriguing story line that you feel compelled to see through.

Looking at the other reviews this seems to be the kind of movie you either hate or love. I had no problems with the acting and thought the movie was well cast. I have never played the games so I cannot compare the two but it might explain the rich if confusing storyline. I was uneasy at all times and when day turns to hell (night) I found it to be very hellish and longed for the day again.

To me this story is a keeper, but since it has such love or hate reactions I can only help you by saying that I like horror movies such as Alien, The Thing, The Others and 28 days later. I don't like Scream, Halloween or Friday the 13th. Hope it helps.

A town that possesses a mysterious power, Silent Hill.
In my restless dreams, I see that town.

Silent Hill...

Silence...tells you all you need to know. "Madness" is driven by the depths of below. A place where a tragic history was unsolved, a place where mysterious deaths occur, a place where people where forbidden to go. You think you have seen horror, you think you have experienced fear...well once you go there, don't think you will return alive. Silent Hill is known as the "God of Horror". Delivering an edge-cutting masterpiece of psychological horror. Environments that will turn your blood blue and a storyline that is more intense, more bloodcurdling and more disturbing that any other horror you have seen, with breathtaking effects and perhaps the "summit of all horror scenarios"

A lot of background information on the games is needed to understand some of the character relations and religious aspects, however do NOT let this stop you from watching perhaps one of the best horror films of the year. Most horror films or games that are made into films tend you lack that sense of identity which the original held. Not the same plot or same characters or same effect. Silent Hill, on the other hand provides a fascinating storyline, accurate character and creature design, even effects that seem to define real. Viewers may think that the story sides tracks a lot, but it is needed. Believe me I'm a huge fan. Nonetheless, Silent Hill still offers a world of fear, terror and shock.

Rose Da Silva (Radha Mitchell) delivers an outstanding performance as a mother searching for her lost child, Sharon Da Silva (Jodelle Ferland). As the audience you feel her actions are senseless, yet they convey the tension throughout the film and make you wonder what hides round the corner. Together, Rose Da Silva (Radha Mitchell) and Cybil Bennet (Laurie Holden - Police Officer) make a stunning team to fight off the creatures, each time you see these two together you are guaranteed action, along with loud, distressing, warning signal (You'll hear what I mean). Christopher Da Silva (Sean Bean) may seem a little unhelpful and pointless, but in fact he is the only reason why the film holds collectively. His performance is on the ball as a worried father, you actually feel aggravated and upset for his position.

Fans may argue, why are all the characters in Silent Hill 1 involved but not the two main characters, Harry and Cheryl ? Why is Pyramid Head in the Silent Hill 1 concept, despite only been in Silent Hill 2 ? Well I'll say this as simple as possible, perhaps the Silence Hill movie is during a different time period to game Silence Hill. Silent Hill is based on materializations of delusions, so thus the power the town holds has intensified greatly by including Pyramid Head. After all the reason why this creature, Pyramid Head appears is because of Alessa's hatred. But I am NOT here to tell you anything on the story, I'm here to give my opinion on the film and introduce you to a world of darkness...

I can honestly tell you now! If you are a fan of this game series, you will NOT be disappointed in what you see. If you are a plain simple horror fan, that I would advise you too see this film, again you will NOT be disappointed.

Silent Hill is a MUST see for fans! and a watch for all horror fans!

I hope this comment will at least give you some consideration in watching the film and I hoped you enjoyed reading this comment.

much appreciated, take care.