Rabbit-Proof Fence

Rating:
Summary: NO CELEB ROCKSTARS HERE, SIMPLE. BUT OVER-SENTIMENTALIZED..
Review: A quasi-documentary, this film is made with an intentional simplicity, and broaches the sensitive subject of governmental "adopting" of half-caste children in the hopes of civilizing them. It's hard not to feel for the protagonist, Molly, and her family as we trek through the Australian Outback with her. Sometimes we forget that movies can work without all the billion dollar FX and ego driven super-celeb stars. Very well directed and believably acted by all.

Yet, the sentimentality is a bit over-cooked. One cannot trivialize the issues the film tackles, but can wonder why the emotion had to be laid on so thickly. I had the impression they were resorting to "tug-at-the-heartstrings" stuff because they were afraid the film wouldn't stand up without it.

Good visuals wasted in a dearth of narrative drive or directorial poetry to make its wanderings forgivable. Recommended for people who care about cinema with a message but are willing to fore-go screenplay perfection.

Rating:
Summary: quiet, compelling true story
Review: In the 1930s the Australian government, after years of brutality against the Aborigines, decided to try another tactic -- the inculcation of the indigenous people into the superior English tradition -- thus proving that the only thing worse than hostility is kindly ignorance. Believing that all traces of their 'inferiority' could be washed away after three generations of breeding with the conquering bloodline, officials began rounding up half-castes, separating them from their families, and raising them in indoctrination camps. This is the story of three little girls who ran away, following the longest fence in the world back toward their home and their mothers. The three young girls do a fine job in these demanding roles, though sometimes it's difficult to hear the spoken lines. The supporting cast is uniformly good, the settings are quite dramatic, and the film, while not touching on some of the more disturbing aspects of this government plan (who were these kids supposed to mate with, for example), does leave you grateful that some things have changed in the past century, even if it's not enough.

The film can be heard only in English, with English captioning as the only subtitle option.

DVD extras include a 45-minute documentary concerned primarily with the casting of the three main characters, young aboriginal girls, and their experience during the filming, including an emotional reaction to the abduction scene; a commentary track with director Noyce, composer Peter Gabriel, actor Kenneth Branagh, screenwriter Olsen and author Pilkington (who is the daughter of one of the film's protagonists); and trailers for Frida, Quiet American and (Kieslowski's) Heaven.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful moving eye-opener to a grim past history
Review: This is a grim documentary about the "stolen generation" of Australians - the young, part-white Aborigines who were snatched from their homes and raised in government-run training schools which would prepare them for a life as domestic servants or factory workers, all of this under the watchful eye of A.O. Neville, Chief Protector of Aborigines in Western Australia at the beginning of the twentieth century. The film depicts three young girls, who after being removed from their mother to a training school 1,500 miles away, escape and make the long journey back, helped by a long fence used to protect farmland from the ravages of Australia's rabbit population. The film is solidly based on fact, drawing from a book written by the lone surviving daughter of one of the three girls. Despite contemporary sensibilities to this grim policy once viewed as one of enlightened benevolence, the movie itself is not heavy-handed in moralistic overtones, but rather focuses on the ingenuity of the three girls in eluding their Aboriginal tracker (skillfully played by David Gulpilil). In an extraordinarily powerful climax, we actually see cameo appearances by two of three survivors of this epic journey at the end of the movie, seventy years after their feat in the Western Australian outback. This movie provides valuable insight into a poorly understood part of Australian history.

Rating:
Summary: Graceful and Seamless Look at Dark History
Review: This raw adaptation of a true story about one of Australia's more shameful historical periods is exquisite, to say the least. The account of Molly, Gracie, and Daisy would be over-the-top, if one did not realize that this was indeed a true story. In an effort to "purify" races and gradually eliminate the continent's aboriginal peoples (all under the guise of "bettering their prospects" -- yeah, right), a white organization ludicrously created for the "Protection" of natives ends up destroying lives, families, and an entire culture with the kind of systematic fervor and idiocy that can only emanate from racist bureacracies. The three children in question are brutally taken from their bush-dwelling mother to be "re-programmed" at a filthy outback concentration camp run by white-clad nun-types who force the children to sing English American Slave plantation songs. The girls escape and, led by the clever Molly, journey hundreds of treacherous miles on foot in a seemingly impossible attempt to reunite with their mother. The story consumed the Australian newspapers at the time and this adaptation wisely chooses reality over sentimentality. Its earthiness and even-handed direction are sadly lacking from most modern indie films. An absolute winner, from the Peter Gabriel score, to the performances, to the cinematography. Kenneth Branaugh does a grand job of making the viewer despise his character's very existence. The conclusion is bittersweet, and the last frame in which two of the sisters appear as they are today in very, very old age is a look into the eyes of sheer human dignity. A treasure.

Rating:
Summary: The Determination of Three Girls
Review: Hullo,

I am from Western Australia where this film is set and was filmed. This was and is a very strong and poignant film. I used to as a small child stay on a farm in the area the film was created and the farmer had young Aboriginals working and staying on his farm and it never struck me that they had been taken from their parents by force and then be instructed in the ways of the white fella, I was too young then at ten and this was my first incident of even seeing an Aboriginal.
The topic of the film or its contents were never discussed at home or at school so we never really got to know the history of the Aboriginal but fortunately all this has now changed and we live in more enlightened times or so we are led to believe.
There are more movies down here in Australia that deals with the Aboriginal topic so I hope this is not the only movie that makes it to the States.
I watch this movie over and over and never tire of it and the young girls determination to get back to their mothers and their homes and to do it all over again is incredible because if you have seen the bush and desert where the girls had to trek through someone like me would never make the first 20 miles due to my cushioned life. Do yourself a favour and buy it you won't be sorry.
Ben

Yes Yes I know you shouldn't vote for yourself but I want people to watch this movie so if one sees a recomendation than that may be the edge for someone to view the movie.
My apologies.Ben

Rating:
Summary: Journey Home Along The Rabbit-Proof Fence
Review: Phillip Noyce's Rabbit-Proof Fence is an example of movie making for others to follow. For those interested in making a movie based on true expierences and hsitorical events, then watch this piece of work that is artistically compelling and both emotionally draining and uplifting.

To often, movies based on true events take too many liberities with a astory that both history and the essence of the events are missed and often, what develops is an artistic vision that bares little resemblance to the "real thing." (Think of The Untouchables or Nixon) This cheats the viewers who wish to connect with people of the past. Noyce avoids all this by hiring actors like Kenneth Branaugh who turn in a perfect performance and childern to act who are not professionally trained, but come from the backgroud of the people he wishes to portray.

The story is about Molly Craig, a 14 year "half-caste" who is taken from her mother to be inculcated into the "white system" of Austriala's government. She is abducted with her sister and cousain. The cousian, Gracie, ends up being recaptured by the police, but Molly and her sister triumphantly return home.

This movie is so well done, that knowing the plot before hand does not discourage the viewer. At times, one is emtionaly drained and at the end, we are both happy and sad. The film score by Peter Gabriel's score is outstanding. A beautiful viewing expiernce.

Rating:
Summary: Heartbreaking tale- great director!
Review: I don't know if we really have progressed that much past Australia's view (not that many years ago, mind you) of eliminating the Aborigines' gene pool from the face of the earth. As a top govenment official, Kenneth Branagh's character is so real, so self righteously benevolent, he may be one of the scariest characters in movie history. He's not quite a Hitler, not even close, but in many ways, he agrees with him. He is a great example of subtle, well-intentioned evil.

The story of the girls' journey is an incredible one, and should make any person proud and wonder out loud what the human spirit is actually capable of. Phillip Noyce is one incredible director, and this is one of his two greatest films, along with the 'Quiet American.'

Rating:
Summary: '...FOR THEIR OWN GOOD...'
Review: Director Phillip Noyce, who has several notably successful films - both 'artistically' and 'commercially' - to his credit, has given viewers something very special indeed in this effort. RABBIT-PROOF FENCE is moving and absorbing, and goes a long way in illustrating to the world the injustices that have been done to indigenous peoples - NOT just the Aborigines in Australia - in the name of 'doing what is best for them'. In attempting to impose what they think is best, colonizers from time immemorial have shattered and destroyed millions of families and lives - their arrogance has trampled on the souls of so many. Facing up to this is the first step in righting wrongs, and - hopefully - in preventing their recurrence. A novel I read recently - FUGITIVE PIECES, by Anne Michaels - summed it up nicely: 'History is the poisoned well, seeping into the groundwater. It is not the unknown past we're doomed to repeat, but the past we know.' In other words - learning about the mistakes of the past is all well and good, but if we don't learn FROM these mistakes, we have accomplished nothing.

This film is based on a book that chronicles the true story of three young girls on a perilous and courageous journey across 1500 miles of Outback terrain - terrain that is unforgiving as only that in Australia can be. Ripped from their families by 'well-meaning' government policies designed to civilize and train 'half-caste' children (children born of mixed blood) and assimilate them back into white society, 'breeding out the Black' over the course of 2-3 generations, the girls (ranging in age from 7 to 14) are traumatized beyond belief. The strength and heart they show is moving and inspiring - if children can rise up and stand against the odds thrown against these three, we can accomplish anything. The children who were thus 'removed to government care' came to be known as 'the stolen generations'.

Noyce was moved by the story itself - in the form of a screenplay presented to him - to make this film. With successes in the past with such works as THE QUIET AMERICAN, THE BONE COLLECTOR, and two Harrison Ford box-office smashes, PATRIOT GAMES and CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER, he had the reputation to make this film happen - and it's a treasure. I'll agree wholeheartedly with another reviewer below - the accompanying documentary on the making of the film, in which we can see the process used to find the three children to portray the main roles (the girls chosen had never acted before) is fascinating. One part of the documentary shows the filming of the scene in which the girls are taken by government agents, literally torn from their mothers' arms - even knowing it was 'only a scene in a film', when it was over there were tears in the eyes of not just the actors, but the director and film crew as well. This is VERY moving subject matter - and it translates to the screen incredibly well, without ever lapsing into maudlin sentimentality.

Aside from the three girls (Everlyn Sampi, Tianna Sansbury and Laura Monaghan), everyone else in the cast does a nice job as well. Kenneth Branagh does a fine, understated turn as A.O.Neville, the government official charged with 'protecting' the Aboriginal peoples in his region. Notable also is the well-known Aboriginal actor David Gulpilil - veteran of such classics as Peter Weir' THE LAST WAVE and Nicolas Roeg's WALKABOUT). His presence is electrifying, as always - his portrayal of Moodoo the Tracker is successful on many levels, allowing him to illustrate how hard it was for an Aborigine to be 'in the service' of the white man's government. Moodoo's own daughter is a pupil at the government-run school where the three girls have been placed - so, while his loyalties to the government lead him to track the runaways, he is able to feel sympathy for their plight at the same time, admiring their skills and (I suspect) secretly hoping that they will elude him.

With all of these components adding up to a fine piece of filmmaking, I can't neglect to mention the amazing soundtrack music, composed and performed by Peter Gabriel. He has taken the story into his heart and provided the viewer with nothing less than the spirit of the girls, their ordeal, story and courage, in musical form. Incorporating many elements of Aboriginal music into his work makes it more powerful still - it's an important element that makes an outstanding contribution to the overall effect of the film.

There is violence in this film - both overt and psychological - but it is a violence that is an intrinsic part of the story. There is no nudity that I remember - if it was present, it was so much a part of the lives depicted that it flowed naturally into the scheme of things. There is only a hint of sexuality. How in the world can a film be successful without sex, nudity, senseless violence, foul language and drugs? This one does it - by taking a moving story (never forget: taken from life) and painting it carefully, honestly and with great feeling onto the screen. This is a film that should be seen by everyone - don't be afraid to view it with your entire family.

Rating:
Summary: "THE WHITE PEOPLE CALLED ME A HALF-CASTE"
Review: Based on historical events, this film captures the trials and tribulations of three half-caste girls who fight against Australia's attempt of racial purification. During the 1931 Western Australia Aborigines Act all half-caste children are forcibly removed from their families to be reformed and educated in order to be re-entered into society as servants and caretakers for white families. Shortly after being abducted Molly and her two younger sisters escape and follow the rabbit-proof fence north to be reunited with their mother. This film mostly follows their 1500+ trek through the harsh Australian territory while being actively hunted. RABBIT-PROOF FENCE is a beautiful film that successfully captures the emotional and physical aspects of this story. The cinematography and music were brilliant and lends an additional element to the film. The documentary on the selection of the three children to act in the film is also very informative and entertaining. RABBIT-PROOF FENCE is a film well-worth viewing. Unfortunately this is only one small chapter in Australia's prevalent history of controlling the races.

Rating:
Summary: An epic, inspiring tale.
Review: Wow. This is a film best seen with as little knowledge about it as possible.
Which defeats the purpose of actually reading these reviews, huh?
Anyways, you will find it hard to believe the atrocities inflicted upon the Aboriginal population in Australia, in our not-so-distant past. It's shocking. The events are so fantastic that they stretch the limit of believability, until the last shots of the film. In our living room, a hushed silence followed the final images as the credits rolled.
The young actors are marvelous...the eldest daughter has a fresh, very real presence and at times, this unshakable haunted gaze. She's transfixing.
Kenneth Branagh, despite the marketing, has a small role, competently done. You need to know this movie is all about the kids and their struggle against the Australian establishment.
Believe the word-of-mouth. See this film. You will feel like writing something yourself...