I took my wife to see this movie and we were both moved by it. The possibility of humans to redeem themselves is really what the movie is about and it does this admirably well. Other comments have mentioned it has a religious aspect but I hardly noticed because it doesn't push it. It is a heartwarming piece of good Australian film making and worth a look.

Martin Sacks was excellent and he did carry the film but it was a great effort by many unknown Australian actors including the lead, Nathan Wilson. I believe it was Mack Lindon's first directorial role and he did a great job. I look forward to seeing future films from him.

This gem of a film is buried treasure due to its soulful message. On the surface, "Rise" is a story of the miscarriage of justice. But on a deeper level, it is a profound expression of survival in the face of a brutal fate.

The focus of the film is Will McIntyre's journey through hell as he is falsely convicted of rape and faces years in prison. The majority of the film explores the unfolding of Will's coping skills as he adapts to prison life. The bonding that occurs with Will and the other prisoners is the heart and soul of the film.

Will's ability to relate to others on a soulful level unfolds especially in his relationship with career criminal Jimmy Cove. At one point, Will's image of the thrill of surfing resonated with Jimmy, eventually changing his life both in and out of prison.

Based on a true story, an innocent young man spent five hundred days in prison for a crime he didn't commit. The message of the film is summed up succinctly at the end: "It's not how many times you fail; it's how many you rise."

I've been watching everything Martin Sacks is in since seeing him in Wentworth. So unlike the first reviewer I knew who he was( because he had that look in Wentworth when he went ff the grid). The trailer made it look more interesting and it could have been but the writing was awful. There is no back story, they don't develop much of what happened with the kid and the girl. Best part was some guy " you stole so and so's jewel? " Martin Sacks.. " And I'll do it again and I'll hurt you if you talk to me again. Lol. Other than that it was boring with no story really. SPOILER: I'm glad Sacks was in the film until almost the end. Glad he got a fresh start. I fast forwarded thru the rest. This is supposedly based off a true story? If Sacks wasn't in it I wouldn't of put myself thru it.