[The News Bot]

Reviewed by Chris McEneany, 22nd November 2009
Another awesome release from Intrada, Gray Lady Down is also an important entry in Jerry Fielding’s résumé. His departure from mournful Americana, harsh Western orchestration and jazzed-up character-action marked a confident dive into bold martial statement, hard thrills and a gripping through-narrative that wouldn’t exactly become a staple in his repertoire but would stand as a great swaggering diversion from his customary cool. The film, itself, is a tight, claustrophobic white-knuckler, although it does suffer from staid direction and a lack of action. Fielding's music is a stunningly wrought accompaniment to the dark descent that Heston's sub makes and the intense psychological traumas that take place within, around and above it.

A limited release, right alongside a great partner in Fielding's The Big Sleep (which is almost sold out already, so no point reviewing that one), Gray Lady Down is a supreme exercise in cold, calculated thumb-screw turning. Enjoyably visual, marvellously orchestrated and haunting with its metronomic mechanical pulse, this is an excellent release and should not be overlooked by fans of Jerry Fielding.

Catch it now from the usual suspects of Intrada or FSM, before it sinks without a trace.


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