The Place of the Dead (1997)

My observations, even a a casual hiker, would be that this ten man attempt to conquer an unexplored mountain enveloped gully, was ill prepared and destined for trouble. The movie is structured around a military inquiry into the disaster, but to my dismay no conclusion as to guilt is reached. I realize the film is based on fact, so no decision may have been rendered, but from an entertainment standpoint, I expected some sort of resolution. The photography is gorgeous, the acting acceptable, and the sense of exploring the unknown is exciting. I could have lived without the flashbacks, which really seem unnecessary, and only serve to bog down the story. - MERK

Based on a true story, this film retraced the steps taken by British troops to Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in South East Asia. The mountain is situated in Sabah, a state in Malaysia.Legend has it that the mountain is sacred, and those who ventured there without 'permission' will not return. And those who go there to do misdeeds, or speak profanity, will suffer from diseases or famine.How true was it, I have no idea, really.The story goes that a group of British soldiers returned to Mount Kinabalu to better understand the terrain and to obtain knowledge of the mountain and of the indigenous people living there.The film portrays a scenic view of the majestic mountain, with the green trees, the sound of birds and waterfalls, and of the blue sky.The acting is also believable, and quite good.A solid 8 our of 10 for the film.

In a time gone by, there was said to be a powerful dragon guarding a beautiful pearl at the very top of Low's Gully. In the 19th Century a Chinese expedition attempted unsuccessfully to steal the gemstone from the mythical monster. The wise dragon then laid down a curse on the Chinese and anybody else that foolishly dared to set foot in the gully again –- they would be doomed…In February 1994 a British Army expedition comprising of two officers, five NCOs and three Hong Kong Chinese soldiers set out to become the first to climb Mount Kinabalu and enter and conquer Low's Gully.During the accent of the mountain the men split acrimoniously into two groups of five. The fitter soldiers pushing on up to the 13450 ft summit whilst the slower men including the two officers laboured far behind. On the summit, the advance party decided not to wait for the other group to catch up. They descended north into Easy Gully (a hanging (jungle-infested) valley above Low's Gully); to the edge of a 500 ft vertical rock face requiring an 8 pitch abseil down; before negotiating a mile long section of waterfalls and rapids (also needing abseils), just to reach the head of Low's Gully. Dropping 2000 feet in the process –- there was no going back…The slower group, led by Lt. Col. Robert Neil also entered the gully, but by now they had been left to try and navigate out of the treacherous gorge by themselves…The expedition made world headlines when it ended in disaster, with all the men lucky to escape alive from the Place of the Dead…On September 20th 1994 Major General Patrick Cordingley took the unusual step of publicly announcing the findings of an Army Board of Inquiry into Operation Gully Heights. Lieutenant Colonel Robert Neil and Major Ronald Foster were both severely criticised. The Inquiry said their leadership and judgement had been "flawed and over-ambitious". Corporal Hugh Brittan, Lance Corporals Richard Mayfield and Yiu Keung Cheung each received commendations for their conduct, bravery and leadership in Low's Gully.This film is a dramatisation of those events; which was shown on British television in 1997. A follow-up documentary titled 'Return to the Place of the Dead'. With two of the men, Richard Mayfield and Robert Mann returning back to the gully (by helicopter and with a local guide); to search unsuccessfully for lost video tapes they filmed during the expedition, was also aired a few days after the film.

The Place Of The Dead is based on a true story about a group of British soldiers along with three Hong Kong soldiers who in 1994 go on an expedition to attempt to climb Mt. Kinabalu in S.E. Asia and then go Low's Gully in Malaysia, a place where others have tried and failed. Everything was planned, rations doubled up, and off they go. Lt. Colonel Robert Neill(played wonderfully by Simon Dutton) wants everyone call each other by their first names, he wants to make it a more "casual" environment and treat each other like buddies.Things go wrong, food is running out, miscommunication,insubordination, some of the men are beginning to think Neill is crazy and obsessed with the expedition.Neill and Mayfield(a great portrayal by Dougray Scott)lock horns. They decide to split into two groups and Neill tells Mayfield to wait for him no matter what. Mayfield said he'll wait until morning. That's not what Neill told him.When the groups split up, Mayfield's men wait for Neill's team for a while. He did not listen to his superior's orders. He leaves a note and continues on with his men. When Neill's team finally climbs down, they find the note and know they are one their own, one of Neill's men is very weak and on the verge of death.Great acting by Simon Dutton, Dougray Scott, Dane Carson, and Greg Wise.