Crawl is a 2011 Australian suspense-thriller written and directed by Paul China and produced by Benjamin China. The film stars George Shevtsov, Georgina Haig and Paul Holmes.

Crawl
Theatrical film poster
Directed byPaul China
Written byPaul China
Produced by
  • Benjamin China
  • Brian J. Breheny
Starring
CinematographyBrian J. Breheny
Edited by
  • Bin Li
  • John Scott
Music byChristopher Gordon
Release dates
  • 15 October 2011 (2011-10-15) (Screamfest Film Festival)
  • 20 November 2013 (2013-11-20) (Australia)
Running time
80 minutes
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish

Plot

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Slim Walding (Paul Holmes), a bar owner, hires a Croatian (George Shevtsov) to kill an acquaintance over an unpaid debt. The crime is carried out, but the culprit leaves behind the murder weapon, an antique pistol belonging to Slim (thus framing him for the homicide). As the Croatian makes his getaway, he accidentally runs down a stranded motorist. The murderer seeks refuge at a nearby, isolated house, where he holds a young woman, Marilyn Burns (Georgina Haig), hostage.

The Croatian learns that Marilyn's fiancé is the motorist he struck. To escape on a motorcycle (the only vehicle at hand), he returns to the crash site to retrieve the man's keys. There, the Croatian murders the fiancé, after discovering he is still alive. Later, Slim realizes that his prized pistol has been stolen and that he has been set up. Learning the Croatian's whereabouts, he heads off looking for revenge. At the house, however, after freeing bound-and-gagged Marilyn, Slim is killed when the Croatian unexpectedly attacks him with an axe. Marilyn then kills the Croatian.

Cast

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  • George Shevtsov as The Stranger
  • Georgina Haig as Marilyn Burns
  • Paul Holmes as Slim Walding
  • Lauren Dillon as Holly
  • Lynda Stoner as Eileen
  • Catherine Miller as Annie
  • Andy Barclay as Travis
  • Bob Newman as Rusty Sapp
  • Paul Bryant as Sergeant Byrd
  • John Rees-Osbourne as Constable Rolly

Production

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The film was shot on location in Queensland, Australia in late 2010.[1]

Soundtrack

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Australian composer Christopher Gordon scored the film.[2]

Release

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Crawl played at over thirty international film festivals, including Sitges Film Festival in Spain,[3] FrightFest in the UK,[4] and Brisbane International Film Festival in Australia.[5] Bloody Disgusting released the film in the US on 1 September 2012,[6] and Arrow Films released the film theatrically in the UK on 22 February 2013.[7]

Reception

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Crawl[8] received positive reviews from critics, scoring a 63% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.[9] Sean Decker of Dread Central said the film ″rivals No Country For Old Men in gritty style and suspense″ and was an ″assured Hitchcockian slow-burn.″ [10] Journalist Alan Jones awarded the film four stars saying ″not since the Coen Brothers' Blood Simple has there been a more exciting thriller debut...a nail-bitingly effective study in slow-burning terror...scary, sly and sexy...a twisted and skillful homage to film noir.″[citation needed]

Accolades

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Award Category Subject Result
Screamfest Horror Film Festival[11][12] Festival Trophy for Best Actress Georgina Haig Won
Festival Trophy for Best Director Paul China Won
Festival Trophy for Best Cinematography Brian J. Breheny Won

References

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  1. ^ "Film Ink – Making Waves on the Gold Coast". Archived from the original on 28 July 2014.
  2. ^ "Crawl – SBS: Movie Review".
  3. ^ "Crawl – Sitges Film Festival".
  4. ^ "Crawl Film Review from FrightFest – Bring The Noise". Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  5. ^ "Forthcoming Attractions at The Brisbane International Film Festival". Archived from the original on 27 July 2014.
  6. ^ "Bloody Disgusting releases Crawl". Archived from the original on 6 May 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  7. ^ "Crawl UK Release". Archived from the original on 6 May 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  8. ^ "Crawl – review". the Guardian. 24 February 2013. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  9. ^ "Crawl". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  10. ^ "Sean Decker, Dread Central – Crawl review".
  11. ^ "Crawl to Make World Premiere at Screamfest 2011".
  12. ^ "Screamfest Horror Film Festival Winners".
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