Usually when you get to see those movies that are either directed and/or produced by people starring in the movie as well, you know it is going to be bad.

However, I will say that "Forbidden Ground" managed to pull it off well enough. Sure, this isn't a war epic on Hollywood over-the-top scale. But the story was told in a nice enough way, and it was with characters that you got attached to and characters that actually had personalities and flaws.

That being said, then it should also be noted that the entire movie basically takes place over a couple of hours in the movie time frame, as we follow a group of soldiers trying to storm and assault a German trench, but getting gunned down and having to make their way back to safe ground before the artillery starts raining death upon the Germans.

Yes, the movie is entertaining, but it is nowhere near the scales such as "Saving Private Ryan" or "Band of Brothers", so don't expect this kind of storytelling or war movie.

I found "Forbidden Ground" to progress at a nice pace, and the movie actually wasn't really dull. However, the side-story with the abortion and infidelity was a bit too forced, and the movie would have fared better without this aspect to the story.

"Forbidden Ground" is well worth a watch if you enjoy war movies, and haven't anything better within reach. It should at least be watched just once.

An Australian attempt to create an image of the terrible battles that were held in WWI. They managed to show that on a small scale. Military units in dirty miserable conditions, sitting in mud and other dirt waiting until they were driven into a certain death. The whistling of bullets and explosions of bombs. The fear in the eyes of young soldiers who probably didn't even know what this war was about.

The image I'll remind of this movie was that of the arrogant superior who, without hesitation, gives an order to attack, although this would lead to needless bloodsheding. Because this was totally unnecessary and pointless in this stage of the battle, since they were planning for a heavy bombardment on the German positions. It was a showcase of egocentric display of power. I don't understand how come those hundred men in the trenches don't jump on that fagot coward collectively and chased him on the battlefield with a gun.

Anyway, the introduction of this film is the rush towards the German position, realising that no one will reach the other side alive. Don't expect grand heroic scenes like in "Saving Private Ryan", but rather limited images and close-ups. A clear sign that this is a low-budget film. The three soldiers Sergeant Major Wilkins , private O'Leary and Corporal Jennings , survive the massacre and end up in no man's land between the two lines. The rest of the battalion is spread over the mud-filled grounds. From here on starts the biggest part of the movie, because going back to their own trenches takes time. Corporal Jennings is very badly injured (A full leg torn away) which makes that the withdrawal is not so evident. This section is therefore extremely boring. It's not because of the acting. The acting is still acceptable despite the circumstances . But to be honest, a slowly receding threesome is not much to work with and to get an exciting story.

Eventually they made up a parallel story in which the wife of Sergeant Major Wilkins plays a leading role. She's pregnant and wants an abortion. Something that wasn't obvious to do at that time. Eventually she asks the help of a nurse who doesn't have experience with this operation. Obviously this ends up in a complete tragedy. And what a coincidence ! This nurse is the fiancée of Corporal Jennings, who at the same time ceased to live on the battlefield.

"Forbidden Ground" mostly succeeded in visualizing the atmosphere and the horror in WWI, now 100 years ago. In terms of content, it's a disaster and the story itself is a bit far fetched.

This Australien film is about the horrors if the First World War's trench wars. Three British soldiers are lost out in the so called no mans land, between the two forces of war on the West Front. The film starts off with the order of sending the men out on a suicide mission against the enemy front. After the shooting is over, the three find each other, and that one of them is severely injured. What's even worse is that they have to get out, because they know there will be an air raid against the enemy front in a few hours time. Then have to get back.

Director Johan Earl had casted himself in the main role here, in his second feature film. after working more ad an actor and special effects man for years. It's been 14 years since his last film.

Making a good depiction of the horrific trench war is not each, and I think it's well done here, though it's made on a very small budget. I like a good true war story told on film, but it's difficult for actors to bear a drama, especially when if comes to dialog and dramatic feelings on screen. The actors do their very best here, what I'm not too fond of, is the side story back home. Not back acted, but if makes the temperature in the film fail. The film would have been better concentrating on which story is the most important, and what should be the main theme of the film.

The best and most exciting scene comes towards the end of the film, so don't give up too early!

The music is OK, but used badly between the two different scenes of the film, and feels forced and too loud on the "back home-scenes". I solos wonder why the Germans have to be so ugly and scarred. Not necessary if you ask me. The movie is also a bit slow, and is over without getting the satisfaction you really want out of it.

Except if your specially keen on war movies, this isn't the one you should be going out of bonds to get hold of.