The Retrieval

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The Retrieval

R,

2014,

1h 34m,

History/

Drama

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Watchlist

Watchlist

93%

29 Reviews

Tomatometer

73%

500+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

29 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

During the Civil War, a boy (Ashton Sanders), who has been sent to lure a freedman (Tishuan Scott) back to the South, forms an unexpected bond with the man.

Shadow and Act Staff

Shadow and Act

Sep 13, 2022

Chris Eska’s resonant, gem of a film, just his second feature, is a well-researched and relevant drama.

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Betsy Sharkey

Los Angeles Times

May 15, 2014

"The Retrieval" comes at you like a haunting slip of a memory, one that writer-director Chris Eska retrieves from a mostly forgotten era in unforgettable ways.

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Marjorie Baumgarten

Austin Chronicle

May 1, 2014

3.5/5

Ambitious as all get out, The Retrieval is an indie film production that belies its small budget.

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Sep 21, 2020

3.5/4.0

A low-key gem.

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Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

Aug 29, 2019

3/5

A resonant and haunting coming of age narrative that's as adeptly written as it is performed.

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John Fink

The Film Stage

Jun 6, 2016

A-

The film is subtle at times, yet provides an intense depiction of internal destruction, betrayal and sacrifice.

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Leia S

Apr 19, 2015

This is one of those refreshing American independent movies, low budget as they say. There are three, perhaps only two central figures, a young black boy named Will who works alongside an uncle betraying runaway slaves and handing them over to bounty hunters for return to the south. Will and his uncle are out to lure a wanted man, a free black man back as he's worth a lot of money. Events intervene and Will and the fugitive, Nate, who him and his uncle find with union forces, or federalists as they are called, become closer as they trick him in to returning south. The film is the second that I have seen directed by Chris Eska. The other, August Evening, was equally as authentic and while both portray vividly the hardship and struggle of the oppressed in society the characters are possessed with real human character strength and compassion. The Retrieval is a breath of fresh air from a director that clearly has something to say.

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Chris Eska

Director

Ashton Sanders

Will

Tishuan Scott

Nate

Keston John

Marcus

Bill Oberst Jr.

Burrell

Christine Horn

Rachel

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Synopsis

During the Civil War, a boy (Ashton Sanders), who has been sent to lure a freedman (Tishuan Scott) back to the South, forms an unexpected bond with the man.

Director: Chris Eska
Producer: Jason Wehling, Jacob Esquivel
Screenwriter: Chris Eska
Distributor: Variance Films
Production Co: Sixth Street Films
Rating: R (Some Violence)
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 14, 2014, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $50.3K
Runtime: 1h 34m

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