Cast
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Crew
Director
- Kane Senes
Writer
- Kane Senes
- John Chriss
Producer
- Steven J. Berger
- John Chriss
- Kyle Fischer
- J.M.R. Luna
- Kane Senes
- Dave Szamet
Reviews
Wuchak
_**Civil War flick about what happens when you bring the war back home with you**_
An ex-Confederate soldier (James Badge Dale) shows up at his dead sister’s rural abode in central Texas where he butts heads with his peaceable brother-in-law (Ethan Embry) and stands up to the corruption of a neighboring patriarch (William Forsythe) and his retarded son. Meanwhile the niece (Maika Monroe) is having secret meetings with the cowardly boy of the other family (Rhys Wakefield).
“Echoes of War” (2015) is a realistic post-Civil War Western that shows what happens when an ex-soldier brings the war back with him. It’s cut from the same cloth as “Pharaoh's Army” (1995) and “Sommersby” (1993). “Ride with the Devil” (1999) and “Cold Mountain” also come to mind. It’s a slow-build rural drama with feud-ish Hatfield & McCoy elements, but you can bank on blazing confrontations in the final act.
James Badge Dale is captivating in the central figure, pretty much on the level of Brando (seriously). Meanwhile Maika is entrancingly fair. Like “Pharaoh’s Army” everything smacks of real life. While the movie’s no doubt low-budget, it doesn’t seem like it at all. The filmmaking is thoroughly professional with a pleasing sense of aesthetics. The negative 1-Star shill reviews are absurd; pay no mind to them (the producers must’ve ticked off the catering service). There’s a brief sex scene, but it goes with the realism of the picture; it’s not raunchy or sleazy at all, just realistic and mature. It’s life… and death.
The film runs 1 hour, 44 minutes and was probably shot in Austin & Bastrop, Texas.
GRADE: A-/B+
Sep 22, 2018
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Echoes of War examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Kane Senes brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2015, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Echoes of War took approximately 5 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 100 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 123 minutes long.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 7 weeks before filming began.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 11 months to complete.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
Historical Context
- In 2015, when this film is released:
- Streaming services were revolutionizing film and television consumption.
- Smartphones and social media had transformed daily life and communication.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
Details
- Release Date: May 15, 2015
- Runtime: 1h 40m