Series 7: The Contenders (UK)

9 / 10
3 votes cast
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"Impeccably bad taste" - The Times
Certificate: 18
Running Time: 84 mins
Retail Price: £19.99
Release Date:
Content Type: TV Series

Synopsis:
The Contenders, the highest rated "reality" programme on US television, selects six people at random to kill one another off until a lone champion survives. The Contenders are picked by lottery, given a gun, assigned a cameraman and let loose. Their every move will be watched by countless millions. There is no escape, there is nowhere to hide, there is only one chance.

Brooke Smith is Dawn, eight months pregnant and reigning champion. She has killed ten people. If she kills five more and wins Series 7, she will go free.

Special Features:
Interviews
Director`s Commentary
Theatrical Trailer
Extreme Promotions
Deleted scenes

Audio Tracks:
Dolby Digital 5.1 English

Subtitle Tracks:
English

Directed By:
Daniel Minahan

Written By:
Daniel Minahan

Starring:
Merritt Wever
Richard Venture
Michael Kaycheck
Glenn Fitzgerald
Marylouise Burke
Brooke Smith

Casting By:
Susan Shopmaker

Soundtrack By:
Johnny Temple
Scott McCloud
Eli Janney
Alexis Flesig

Director of Photography:
Randy Drummond

Editor:
Malcolm Jamieson

Costume Designer:
Christine Bieselin

Production Designer:
Gideon Ponte

Producer:
Joana Vicente
Christine Vachon
Katie Roumel
Libby Richman
Gretchen McGowan
Pamela Koffler
Jason Kliot
Evan T. Cohen

Executive Producer:
Judith Zarin
Charles J. Rusbasan
Michael Escott
Tom Brown

Distributor:
Film Four

Your Opinions and Comments

9 / 10

There`s no escape, there`s nowhere to hide, there is only one chance. This is the slogan for the latest Film Four funded picture, which takes reality television to a whole new dimension. We`ve all seen, or at least heard of Big Brother...and if you`re anything like me you`d love to do some damage to the contestants. `General` public my arse! Luckily, with the release of Series 7: The Contenders we get a brand new spin on the formula...the contestants actually DO have to kill each other! Sounds like fun...

Firstly, let me say..if you`re not a fan of dark, twisted, black humour..stay well away! This film contains some genuinely disturbing moments which would probably offend anybody with any sense of decency in them. Luckily..I don`t have a shred of decency in me, and as such enjoyed Series 7: The Contenders for the most part quite a lot!

Brooke Smith plays Dawn, eight months pregnant and the reigning `contender`. With 10 kills already under her belt, 5 more kills will see her win the series, and walk free. Up against her are 5 other members of the public, all of which selected randomally by a nationwide lottery. It`s basically the same as a standard lottery in which you win money..except in this case you would find yourself shouting "Damn, I`ve got 5 bloody numbers now!"

Overall the film itself is well worth a watch, especially if you are a fan of reality TV, looking for a bizarre twist! The DVD features a solid transfer, and an above average soundtrack.

posted by Aslan on 13/5/2002 23:37

8 / 10

One of the blackest comedies, you`ll ever see and fantastically subversive. Plenty of laugh out loud moments for normal viewers.

However, there are no laugh out loud moments though, for easily offended people or daily mail readers, who will not understand what the movie is about!

No features in region 2, but should we really expect any, it a cheap independent film anyway! Actually mine might be an ex-rental copy, not sure as I got it second hand

posted by Rich_H on 31/8/2002 22:20