Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Phillip Noyce

Writers:

Doris Pilkington (book)
Christine Olsen (screenplay)

Release Date:

21 February 2002 (Australia)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama

Tagline:

If you were kidnapped by the government, would you walk the 1500 miles back home?

Plot:

In 1931, three aboriginal girls escape after being plucked from their homes to be trained as domestic staff and set off on a trek across the Outback.

Plot Keywords:

Animal In Title | Social Injustice | Affection | Kidnapping | Meditative

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 21 wins & 24 nominations

Cast

Everlyn Sampi	...	Molly Craig
Tianna Sansbury	...	Daisy Kadibill
Laura Monaghan	...	Gracie Fields
David Gulpilil	...	Moodoo
Ningali Lawford	...	Maud
Myarn Lawford	...	Molly's Grandmother
Deborah Mailman	...	Mavis
Jason Clarke	...	Constable Riggs
Kenneth Branagh	...	A.O. Neville
Natasha Wanganeen	...	Nina, Dormitory Boss
Garry McDonald	...	Mr. Neal at Moore River
Roy Billing	...	Police Inspector
Lorna Leslie	...	Miss Thomas
Celine O'Leary	...	Miss Jessop
Kate Roberts	...	Matron at Moore River

MPAA:

Rated PG for emotional thematic material.

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

Aboriginal | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Switzerland:10 (canton of Zurich) | Malaysia:U | Iceland:L | South Korea:All | Portugal:M/12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Finland:K-11 | France:U | Germany:6 | Hong Kong:I | Netherlands:12 | Norway:11 | Peru:PT | Singapore:PG | Spain:7 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | UK:PG | USA:PG (certificate #38838)

Filming Locations:

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Company:

Australian Film Commission, The

Trivia:

The world premiere of this film was held in an outdoor screening at Jigalong, the outback community where the girls were taken from, and where they still live.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Moodoo is first seen riding north along the Rabbit-Proof Fence to meet a police constable he's on the west of the fence. Shortly before the actual meeting he's on the east side of the fence.

Quotes:

[First lines]
Title Cards: Western Australia 1931
Title Cards: For 100 years the Aboriginal Peoples have resisted the invasion of their lands by white settlers.
Title Cards: Now, a special law, the Aborigines Act, controls their lives in every detail.
Title Cards: Mr. A. O. Neville, the Chief Protector of Aborigines, is the legal guardian of every Aborigine in the State of Western Australia.
Title Cards: He has the power "to remove any half-caste child" from their family, from anywhere within the state.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Gulpilil: One Red Blood (2002) (V)

Soundtrack:

All Things Bright and Beautiful

Superb and Devastating

Yes we've seen children-on-the-run films, but such glib commentary demeans this true life drama and its implications in real life. This magnificent and tragic story is yet another must-see in re:the little holocausts that have gone on, even in the most "civilized" nations - in this case Australia. What a touching story of three girls, marvelously portrayed by unknown young actresses, who escape from a horrific government policy, initiated by white supremacist Australia pre-Hitler and Nazi Germany. It is odd to say this is beautifully filmed in the Australian outback... and Kenneth Brannagh, echoing his recent portrayal as Heydrich in "Conspiracy", plays white evil incarnate - a prim bureaucrat diligently doing his government job's mandate - to cleanse Australia of "half breeds" in a most heinous (if not deadly) fashion. It is compelling from beginning to end, and the epilogue is most chilling and bittersweet. Superior and meaningful film making.