The Water Diviner [DVD] [2015]

One of the best modern films. A masterpiece. Crowe is at his best and Kurylenko is stunning as always. The ending is a subtle piece of genius and when you see it it just hits you.

Great movie.

If you like Russell Crowe you'll like this movie. Very moving and Crowe's sense of determination to reclaim his sons bodies is palpable. A great watch. Thoroughly recommend.

This is a brilliant effort for a first directing attempt from Russell Crowe. I'd have never have thought he'd pick this type of movie for that purpose, which shows the great ambitions of the man, and the guts to pull it off. The only gripe I've got is that why have a fictitious plot within a real war that actually happened? Millions were killed in WW1, but this story of a farmer (who looks for water deep under ground back on his farm - hence the title) going back to Gallipoli to find out what happened to his three sons is fiction. The cinematography of this is breathtaking, it seems tragic Andrew Lesnie (he won the Oscar for Lord of the Rings in 2002) died of a heart attack just a week after this was released, aged 59. The look/feel of this is first rate, the British army camp scenes around the graves makes you feel as if you were there. I felt some parallels with Tommy Lee Jones' 'The Homesman' someone on a journey searching for something to get it back. I don't like religion and Crowe keeps mostly away from it in this, the social conservatism of Turkey in those days, and family honour was a huge big deal, it's here in this movie too, but he doesn't dwell on it too long, which is a good thing in one way, but also it's a bad thing, Crowe and Ayshe (the stunning Olga Kurylenko) should have got it on, to add another layer to the movie) the fact that they didn't kept true to the location and the time. The historic elements of the ending of the Ottoman Empire are a bit confusing, and there's a three way war between Greek, Turkish and British involvement. But the historical inaccuracies and wider contexts of the battle are not the main element or aspects of the story... (although when the film was released on April 24, this caused huge uproar and was called to be boycotted) It's all about Joshua Connor and his three sons. He has numerous 'visions' and feelings for them, somehow knowing where they are at various points in the movie, which seems a bit far-fetched, but our suspension of disbelief and wanting to know what happens over rides this and we get there in the end. The final scenes were a bit short and could have been a lot more intense, but they don't damage the movie as a whole. This is a great movie and fantastic first attempt by Crowe at directing (I don't know what the critics were expecting, and were too harsh, after all critics are just people who couldn't do it themselves) as well as playing the lead role. Maybe this, like Clint Eastwood, will be the new pattern from now on? Can't wait for the next one.

I'm not exactly a Russell Crowe fan but he was awesome in this movie. It was a sensitive and emotional look at the aftermath of WW1. For once it takes the viewpoint from those left behind and how the trauma of loss can affect families. The story slowly develops and the fact it was based on a true story made it even more poignant. People forget just how many men travelled from the far corners of the world to fight in a conflict they so could have easily avoided. For me it was an eleven out of ten movie. I enjoyed it much more than Gladiator.

This is such a heartfelt story of love, determination and courage. I was hooked from the moment I turned it on. The actors were perfect. Russell Crowe was fantastic at Directing and playing lead character, what an absolute incredibly talented man. You could feel the connection he had with every single character that he played alongside, just magical. It was so full of raw emotion. I would highly recommend this to others.

Russel Crowe,never made a bad film loved the story of this film,wish I had bought it in blue Ray,there is such a vast difference,but great film

Crowe's a great actor, don't get me wrong but this film is average at best. I don't know why it's called, 'The Water Diviner', as the only search for water is at the very start of the film. After that it changes into a search for his three sons who have been lost at Gallipoli, and to find whether or not they survived the intense battle. Finally, after a bit of hassle, he is allowed to search the battle scene and with no aids whatsoever declares, 'my sons are buried here', at a particular spot in the ground. Of course, he turns out to be right, and two of his dead sons bodies are discovered. Without giving away anymore of the story, this film is basically average at best, and all the 5/4 star reviews bought and paid for by the film company, which has become the norm nowadays.(Not only that but these paid numbskulls go out of their way to say your honest review is unhelpful).

A moving and very well done story. This guy knows how to make a film.

This is an absolutely terrific film. It's got adventure, romance, manliness, womanliness, a touch of history and some exotic locations. I can't think when i've enjoyed a movie more. Russell Crowe gives a powerful and moving performance as O'Connor, the Austrian farmer who goes to Turkey after the First World War, looking for his three sons lost at Gallipoli. The film is full of twists and turns of plot as the title character relentlessly seeks to know the fate of his boys. One of the best things about the movie is the even-handed portrayal of the Turkish officers and an appreciation for the life and rhythms of Istanbul on the eve of Revolution. Perhaps as a reward for O'Connor's generosity, faith and courage, the film ends with a renewal of hope and joy. - and it's worth mentioning that the cinematography is quite wonderful as the story takes us to places rarely visited.

nice movie

This is one very fine movie. An after-war story. The theme of it might be described as follows: When we are dead Seek not our tombs in the earth But find it in the heart. I am a big fan of Mr Crowe and watched a lot of his movies. Actualy I believe this is one of the best of his works. Mr Crowe himself directs and plays a leading character and it's great. Of course he is Russell Crowe. Of course he plays splendid. But it is well-scripted, well-edited with distinguished actors and actresses.

Russel Crowe is the lead actor in The Water Diviner, but he is also the director of it. This movie was his first as a director, and he has proved himself as much good director than he is as an actor. Everything is marvellously done in this movie and it carries a lot more values than you would expected. Gallipoly was one, if not the one, of the worst bloody failures of the war. On the Turks side, it was 70,000 men that died in combat during this war. On our side 2,000 men have lost their life and about 8,000 simply... disappeared. One man never gave up the search to find his sons. He left everything behind and faced danger after danger to find them. Along his journey and through his eyes, you can see how compassion, understanding and help can come from both side. It’s forcing the sympathy for all men, it’s opening your hearth and you can feel the desolation, the destruction and the desire of everyone to survived. Doesn’t matter the color, the religious belief, the language or anything else, war is the humanity plague on this Earth... The image is stunning and breathtaking. The actors are unbelievably true (some were Awards winners by the way). It is a must see and own. Another 5 stars for Crowe as an actor and as a very good director. This movie found its place on my shelves.