A rich land developer buys a big piece of land on which stands a protected forest and wants to clear most of it to build a mansion for his wife and himself. Standing in his way are a group of travelers squatting the land and its farmhouse. As he forces them out and starts clearing the land, forces show their discontent.
The film is based on a stage play by Tim Rhys, adapted by Wyndham Price and Nick Moran, with Price directing and Moran starring. Having not seen the stage play, a comparison is not possible. However, the film is well written, with interesting character, and an intriguing use of potential supernatural forces. The film sets a battle between the travelers and the developer and his people. The way the story unfolds brings local and traveler folklore into the story, creating a fascinating story with many layers to it.
The cast for this film is led by an almost unrecognizable Nick Moran who took a minute to be recognized as the once upon a time lead of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. His talent however is as it was, giving off a good performance as a truly evil person ready to go to any length to get what he believes his rightfully his. The way Moran plays him brings the despicable side of the character as the story advances. His character of Tucker is a strong, but dislikable lead.
As Tucker’s nemesis, Crow, Tom Rhys Harries gives a powerful turn carrying the wrath of his family and of his people, this wrath coming across full well through him even as his character goes fully mute during his attack and retaliation in the forest. His is a powerhouse performance. As his ancestor/deity, Great Crow, Terence Stamp has a strong screen presence for his few short scenes, leaving a valued impression with just a few minutes of screen time.
The film, particularly the scenes in the woods, looks beautiful. The cinematography by Robin Whenary shows the lush greenery of the British countryside in all its glory. The forest framed by his cinematography becomes almost a character of its own. It’s the center of the story, the reason these people are feuding to this extreme. It’s shown in all its beauty but also a potentially dangerous place if it’s not respected.
The forest at the center of Crow can easily be taken to represent the environment, how it’s being mistreated and destroyed. The character of Crow represents much more than the defender of the forest but also the defender of a way of life, of a system of beliefs. The film’s folklore is well handled, making the battle between modernity and nature more entertaining. The supernatural forces at play here add to this battle and to how things evolve. Crow is a captivating story of good versus evil with great acting and some trippy imagery, which is beautifully shot. It takes folklore and a stage play and translates them to a film that grips the viewer and makes them want to watch it unfold.