Directed by Peter Weir 1977 | 106 minutes | Color | Mono | 1.85 : 1
Synopsis
Peter Weir follows up on his critically acclaimed masterpiece Picnic at Hanging Rock with this surrealist psychological drama. The film opens with a freak hailstorm in Australia's outback. Cut to David Burton (Richard Chamberlain), a well-to-do Sydney corporate lawyer plagued by visions of impending doom who is assigned to defend five accused of murdering a fellow Aborigine. The case itself proves to be mysterious -- no exact cause of death can be determined by the pathologist, and the accused remain strangely tight-lipped about the whole affair. As his visions grow increasingly weird and intense, Burton sees in his dream one of the five Aborigines, Chris (David Gulpili of Walkabout fame), who is drenched and clutching a sacred rock. Burton's interest in the case slides into complete obsession, and he comes to believe that not only was the murder related to an underground urban tribe of Aborigines but that Australia is about to be decimated by a massive, apocalyptic tidal wave.
Main Cast
Richard Chamberlain Olivia Hamnett Gulpilil Frederick Parslow Vivean Gray Nandjiwarra Amagula Walter Amagula Roy Bara Cedrick Lalara Morris Lalara Peter Carroll Athol Compton Hedley Cullen Michael Duffield Wallas Eaton
David Burton Annie Burton Chris Lee Rev. Burton Dr. Whitburn Charlie Gerry Lee Larry Lindsey Jacko Michael Zeadler Billy Corman Judge Andrew Potter Morgue Doctor
Production Companies
McElroy & McElroy The South Australian Film Corporation The Australian Film Commission Last Wave Productions
Distributors
United Artists (A-Asia) (Australia) World Northal (USA)