:
Everlyn Sampi,
Tianna Sansbury,
Laura Monaghan,
more...
:
Phillip Noyce
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: 
: Miramax
: Drama, Foreign, Politics and Social Issues, Costume Drama/Period Piece, British Drama, UK, Australia & New Zealand
: 94 min.
: English
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After directing a number of major motion pictures in the United States, Australian-born filmmaker Phillip Noyce returned home to make this remarkable adventure-drama, based on a true story as well as a lamentable period in his nation's history. When European settlers first arrived in Australia, there was an almost immediate conflict between the recent arrivals and the nation's indigenous people, whose rich cultural heritage which bore little resemblance to that of the Europeans. By the mid-19th century, when white settlers had gained political control of the continent, many aborigines found themselves removed from their lands and their children taken from them, under the belief that the youngsters would be better off in a more "civilized" environment. Through most of the 20th century, it was official government policy that half- or quarter-caste indigenous children were to be taken from their families and raised as "white" children in orphanages, where they would be trained to work as domestic servants or laborers. In 1931, Molly (Everlyn Sampi) and her younger sister Daisy (Tianna Sansbury) and cousin Gracie (Laura Monaghan) were three half-caste children from Western Australia who were taken from their parents under government edict and sent to an institution, where they were subject to physical and emotional abuse as they were taught to forget their families, their culture, and their lives up to that point and re-invent themselves as members of "white" Australian society. Gracie and Daisy cling to Molly for support, and Molly decides they need to return to their parents. Molly plans a daring escape, and the three girls begin an epic journey back to Western Australia, travelling 1,500 miles on foot with no food or water, and navigating by following the fence that has been build across the nation to stem an over-population of rabbits. A.O. Neville (Kenneth Branagh), the government functionary in charge of relocating Western Australia's aborigines, takes a special interest in the case of the three girls, and brings in a veteran tracker, Moodoo (David Gulpilil) to help find them, secure in the belief he's acting in their best interest. Rabbit-Proof Fence was based on the acclaimed book by Doris Pilkington Garimara, whose Aunt Daisy was one of the three children who made the extraordinary journey and helped her with the research for the book. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
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| What a shocking story.
by alienx
May 21, 2004 - 9:17 AM PDT
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1 out of 1 members found this review helpful
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I gave the movie 7 stars. This was because the story behind the film seemed far more significant than what was able to be displayed on the screen. This is not to say that the film istself was in any way a disappointment, simply that the story seemed much bigger than the film.
I can't add anything new to the description of the story as reviewed by others here. But I would like to make it clear that this was a very thought-provoking film. I was shocked to learn exactly how long this ridiculous ideology was perpetuated by the Australians. Watch the movie and you will see what I mean. I am now inspired to read the book that this film was based on. |
| If This Film Doesn't Touch Your Heart You Haven't Got A Soul
by stypee
May 10, 2004 - 12:48 AM PDT
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8 out of 9 members found this review helpful
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It's very rare to come across a film that embraces your emotions at full throttle while at the same time forces one to step back and look into their own humanity. "Rabbit Proof Fence" is such an intensely dramatic film that within 15 minutes you become so entranced, you forget you're watching a movie. This is the primary role of the filmmaker and it's been done with perfection.
I felt every ounce of shame for the disgusting ideologies people inflict on other people. To be blunt, I was disgraced at the white color of my own skin.
What "Fence" does is avoid your typical formulaic "go for the heart string" devices. Instead, with all it's might and bravery it displays a harsh moment in history that not many people may have been aware of.
The story follows three little girls who are taken from their Mothers and put in a wicked dormitory in an attempt to train them to be "white". In 1931, some sick moronic government created what was called "half-caste" children, kids who had both white and black parents. The children were selected in a comfortable office and hand picked by a man the kid's called "Mr. Devil".
Our story begins a day or two after the three kids are taken to the "school". The eldest, a real surviver, escapes and takes her sister and cousin with her. Their two month journey starts with nail biting suspense, acts of human kindness by people of all colors and a drive to return home.
Noyce creates an intensity that pulls you in all directions and not once does he ever over step on or over his boundaries. The three key actresses who have never acted before in their lives give performances that would slap any Hollywood child actor in the face.
"Rabbit Proof Fence" is a must see with a very touching nod to another particularly heart wrenching film at the very end. An overlooked gem which thankfully gives us another use for kleenex.
The disc includes a wonderful "making of" (and film commentary) which for the first time in the history of DVD extra's made me cry, yet again during my one viewing of this film. It documents the purity and innocence of these three native Australian girls as they learn how to become the outstanding young actresses they eventually translate into real life characters (the film is based on a true story) onto screen.
FILM FACT: While it was fairly well publicized that Peter Gabriel did the soundtrack to the film, if your a fan of the musician you may want to take notice of little nuances he adds to the score from his past records, most notably there are some distinct and obvious rhythms from the albums UP and a very subtle touch of SECURITY. |
| strong film
by CStone
January 1, 2004 - 7:33 PM PST
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1 out of 4 members found this review helpful
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| very poignient illustration of eugenics/genocide 1940s-50s style. |
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GreenCine Member Rating
(Average 7.79)
230 Votes
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