Fortress (1985)

Well if being memorable is a sign of a successful movie this movie sure was a success. Like many other posters here I watched this movie as a child in the 80s and I have been HAUNTED ever since by those masked faces. After many conversations with people of a similar age I managed to find out what this movie was called - I want to watch it again to put those ghosts to rest. I am incredibly relieved tonight, however, to find out that I'm not the only person who frequently thinks of this movie after watching it as a child - I honestly fear those masks appearing through my windows at nigh (ugh). The good news is that you CAN buy in on DVD: just go to http://www.crawfordsdvd.com.au/

What we have here is a fairly obscure little made for Australian TV movie that takes a common plot (kidnap) and moulds an interesting little morality tale around it. The theme seen in this film was previously seen in classics such as The Virgin Spring, and later The Last House on the Left, except here it arguably more shocking (though much less visceral) as there are children involved. The question that the movie asks is whether or not it is OK to "do unto others as they do unto you", though it never actually makes a judgement on this and the audience is left to decide - which makes the film instantly more interesting than morality tales that preach to the viewer (recent Oscar winner Crash is a good example of how badly that can turn out). The plot focuses on a school teacher and her class. Their ordinary day is ruined when men with guns decide to take them all hostage and hold them for ransom. They manage to escape the kidnappers, but find themselves running out of steam as every escape attempt is thwarted. They soon realise that the best to get away from the villains may not be to run, but to stand and fight...This film works because the plot is kept simple and this allows us to focus on the important points that the story has to make. The characters we are introduced to are all likable and believable also; and this again helps to convey the film's message as we can understand why they have been lured into the situation that they find themselves in. The acting in the film is decent considering it's a TV movie. Rachel Ward plays the part of the school teacher well, and definitely seems to have a rapport with the children. A Problem that often befalls films like this is that the child actors tend to be annoying; but surprisingly, this film manages to avoid slipping into that pitfall as even the kids manage decent performances! The first half of the movie doesn't feature a lot in the way of excitement, but things really hot up in the second half and the ending is certainly worth waiting for. I can't say that this is a great movie, but it's certainly a very good one and one that fans of horror/thrillers will certainly want to check out!

Kidnappers bite off more than they can chew when they abduct a teacher and her class from a remote school in the Outback. Escaping from the cave in which they are held hostage, Sally Jones (Rachel Ward ) and her pupils must fight for survival against their captors.This surprisingly well made film, based on a true story, is an exciting, gritty and disturbing tale which shows how the the human instinct for survival can turn even the most innocent of people into savage killers. Sally and her class, pushed to the limits, revert to an animalistic state which, by the end of the film, sees them wildly stabbing and tearing at their attackers in a frenzy of blood-lust.Director Arch Nicholson develops the story well, at first having the children bickering with each other, but eventually seeing them teaming together to beat a common foe. There is plenty of tense action and a few surprisingly gruesome moments, and the talented young cast give some great convincing performances.As made for TV fare goes, this one is well worth a viewing.

Just to let you know the writer of Fortress (the man who gave us plot holes) is working with Asher Keddie (Sue) on a new project.http://channelnine.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=123752I guess those Aussies really stick together.Writer — Everett Deroche Everett is an established writer with a long list of credits to his name for both television and feature films over 25 years. His work crosses an eclectic mix of writing credits including Australian classics such as The Sullivans, Truckies, Police Rescue, The Flying Doctors, The Man from Snowy River and Stingers to award-winning feature films including Razorback, Link and Visitors. He is currently developing the feature film Eureka Stockade and is the script manager for Film Victoria, which is where he heard about the making of Two Twisted.