Watch Tunnelrat

Tunnelrat is a gripping war movie depicting the lives of a group of soldiers in Vietnam during the war. Directed by Irish filmmaker and writer Stephen Wallace, the film was released in 2008 and stars Matthias Schoenaerts, Roman Knizka, and Thomas Janssens in the leading roles. The movie provides an insight into the hardships and challenges these soldiers encountered while battling in an unfamiliar terrain and puts their bravery and endurance to the test.

The story follows the protagonist, Sergeant Vic Hollowborn (Matthias Schoenaerts), who leads an American squad of soldiers fighting against the Viet Cong in the tunnels of Cu Chi. Hollowborn is a fearless and experienced soldier, who has seen action in the Korean War and carries the scars of that experience. He is known for his sharp wit and no-nonsense attitude, and his men respect him for his leadership skills in the field. The squad comprises of diverse characters, including a trigger-happy young soldier, a medic, and a tough-as-nails specialist in tunnel warfare.

The film begins with the squad carrying out a mission to destroy a Viet Cong munitions dump. The mission goes awry, leading the group to flee through the Cu Chi tunnels, pursued by the Viet Cong. These tunnels are an intricate network of underground passages that the Viet Cong used as hideouts and communication channels. Hollowborn and his team find themselves in a dark labyrinth, where they are forced to rely on their survival instincts and experience to get themselves out alive.

As they navigate through the tunnels, the soldiers encounter numerous challenges, including booby traps, ambushes, and constant attacks. The tunnels are also infested with rats, snakes, and other dangerous creatures that add more peril to their already perilous circumstances. The soldiers must use all their training and courage to stay alive and to outsmart their enemy at every step.

The movie is a realistic portrayal of what it was like to fight in the Vietnam war. The characters are well-developed, and the movie does an excellent job of humanizing them. It shows us that war can have a profound impact on soldiers, affecting them mentally and physically. The movie depicts the emotional toll that war takes on soldiers, especially when their friends and comrades are lost in battle.

The cinematography of the film is impressive, with the use of dim lighting, narrow tunnels, and tight camera angles that create a sense of claustrophobia and heighten the tension. The soundtrack is equally gripping and intense, with sounds of gunfire, explosions, and screams that add to the movie's visceral impact. The film's attention to detail and authenticity ensures that it is a riveting and engrossing experience for the audience.

In conclusion, Tunnelrat is a war movie that is well worth watching. It offers an intense and realistic portrayal of the Vietnam war and its effects on soldiers. The film showcases the bravery and endurance of the soldiers fighting the Viet Cong in the Cu Chi tunnels and highlights the importance of their experience and training. The impressive directing, cinematography, and music work together to create a compelling and unforgettable film.

Tunnelrat is a 2008 drama with a runtime of 17 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.