Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Film!
Review: This is a very powerful, moving film. What's even more amazing is that it was based on a true story! Many of the other reviewers have already taken the liberty of writing about the storyline, so I won't repeat what's already been said, however I would like to reinforce that this is a wonderful movie and one that is inspiring and can be appreciated by your entire family. The movie is also educational because while many of us stereotype Australians as being Caucasian (I know I was one of those people who thought that), this movie puts the spotlight on the native people of Australia, who have been overlooked for way too long. I not only enjoyed this movie for its content, but I learned something about the culture and history of Australia.
Rating: 
Summary: A timeless epic
Review: Philip Noyce has transformed an epic journey into an example of visual poetry. Three girls, kidnapped and destined for "assimilation" into white Australian society, escape their "protectors". In an astonishing journey, pursued by government police and an Aborigine tracker, they evade authority's clutches. After seven weeks and eighteen hundred kilometres journey, they reach home. Perhaps the longest foot journey in Australia.Noyce beautifully captures the harsh environment traversed by the trio, even though the filming was far distant from the actual location. The girls must use every available cover and device to escape capture, and Noyce maintains the tension throughout the film. Using numerous close-ups to convey feeling, you're kept aware that flight from captivity isn't a social event. Encounters with either white or fellow Aborigines force reserve, suspicion and hesitation - talk is minimised, even among the three escapees. This is a highly visual film in a setting providing oppotunities for lush images. It is the people, however, that give this film its true grandeur. Clearly, the fleeing girls aren't professionals before the camera. Everlyn Sampi's facial expressions seize the soul in nearly every scene. She's aware of the burden she's carrying, leading the escape, keeping them free, thwarting detection and pursuit, finding the track. David Gulpilil, the Aborigine tracker, also rivets the eye as he leads the quest to return the girls to the mission. How does he feel in pursuit of his own kind in the employ of the dominant, racist, white society? Kenneth Branagh might have absorbed the soul of A.O. Neville so graphically does he portray the "Protector of Aborigines". Called "The Devil" by Aborigines and seeming to personify all the worst aspects of a racist society, Neville was simply an extreme example of his society's mores. Branagh clearly understands this fully, playing the role with marvelous reserve.
This DVD is almost a novelty for other aspects. The discriminating viewer will soon discover that the "Special Features" aren't something to by-pass lightly. Instead of the usual long-winded interviews with directors, producers and actors, Noyce, with his usual skill offers something truly captivating. He takes you on a "hand-held camera" journey to solicit the acting team from remote Australian communities. We are introduced to the various children discovered, assessed and chosen for the roles. These are but children suddenly confronted with a new world. Their reactions are poignant and inspiring.
Finally, the viewer will discover yet another level of reward in watching the film again with the voice-over commentary enabled. Fresh surprises await the patient as Noyce discusses how the film came to him and his enthusiasm for it. He relates his dealings with all the cast. It is David Gulpilil who, with infinite subtlety, transforms the book's tracker into a wholly new and realistic character. Every praise that can be imparted to the three children suddenly becomes remote as you discover Gulpilil manifests the two centuries of Aborigine-white encounters. Buy this film in anticipation of many unexpected revelations. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]
Rating:
Summary: I'm Speechless
Review: I don't know what to say. This movie evokes so much emotion. The story of 3 Aboriginal girls, ripped from their home to be integrated into white society ways because -- once again, someone determined that there was something wrong with non-white ways. Their escape, a triumph! Their journey after that is the story. It shows that teaching a child to have a strong sense of family, to know who they are, they can go farther than even they knew. The children give marvelous, nothing-less-than believable performances!! Ningali Lawford, who plays the Mom, is the reason I bought this DVD. I saw her in a PBS Special (Vis a Vis: Native Tongue), talking about her life as an Aboriginal, comparing it with the life of a Native American, who was in the documentary with her. Unfortunately, it is not being shown again nor is it for sale. So, wanting to see her in something, I found Rabbit Proof Fence.
Rating:
Summary: Rabbit Proof Fence
Review: Rabbit-Proof Fence *A Counter-Racist Movie Review This is a very interesting movie that takes place in Australia in the 1940s and 1950s. The movie is based on a true story that details how white people took non-white people (Aborigines) from their families and attempted to breed them into white people. The movie details the journey of three girls violently taken from their mothers and taken 1200 miles away to campus where white people had the admitted intention of breeding them into white people. White people referred to the children as "half-cast"...meaning non-white. But not must any non-white person...non-white people that are the product of white/non-white sexual intercourse. The remarkable part of this movie for me was the determination of the oldest of the three girls, Molly, to get back home some 1200 miles away. They walked home. No food...no shoes...barely any clothes...these three little girls knew what should be and did what was necessary to make it happen. They met people along the way, white and non-white, and got the things they needed for the trip from them. The white people in this movie were "in charge" of all of the non-white people (Aborigines) and they built a fence that went from the north to the south of Australia and from the east to the west of Australia. This was the fence Molly, Gracie, and Daisy followed all the way back home to Jigalong. White people said this fence was erected to separate the people from the rabbits brought over from "Europe" by white people that had gotten "out of control". The dialog with Mr. Neville talking to white females and demonstrating in his presentation the necessity and process of not producing "another race" of people and his position was to have the "half-cast", meaning born of non-white person and white person...meaning non-white, "absorbed" into the white population. He goes on to say how to "breed out" the "Aborigine" (non-white) aspects of the person in less than four generations. See he never says train the "Aborigine" (non-white people) to function as white people. I suspect what he means by "absorbed into the white population" is that these non-white people (Aborigine) that will be bred to look like white people will still be functional inferiors. Take note of how they are being "trained" and what they are being "trained" to do. If he wanted the "Aborigine to function as a whhite person all he would need to do, I suspect, is to tell them why racism (white supremacy) is practiced and how racism (white supremacy) is practiced. There is also a tracker that is the darkest non-white male in the movie. Talk about insanity...he has to track down little girls and boys that leave the "camp" and bring them back...even though his daughter is one of the little girls in the "camp". There is a non-white male in the camp to keep the non-white people in line and even a non-white little girl to keep the other non-white little girls in line. "In line" meaning force them to do what the white people want them to do. The entire concept of a rabbit-proof fence is the same concept of white supremacy (racism) as a practical construct. Or is it? I will not spoil the movie for you by telling you how it ends. Go get the DVD or rent it. It is a true story. You will not be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: A powerful true story about Australia's "Stolen Generation"
Review: In 1931 Australia, A.O. Neville, working within the boundaries of the law, forcibly removes three half-caste girls from their aboriginal home. The three girls -- Molly, Daisy and Gracie -- are sent 1,200 miles from their home in Jigalong to a school for children such as themselves, half-aborigine, half-white. the camp strives to assimilate the children into the white culture through such things as church and disallowing the use of their native language. Molly is determined, though, to make it back to her mother, and on a day threatening rain, she, Gracie and Daisy escape from the school. The only way to make it back to Jigalong is to walk the 1200 miles along the rabbit-proof fence that stretches the entire length of Australia. This film tells the true story of the girls' trek across Australia through such dangers as hunger, thirst, the desert and an aboriginal tracker who is just as determined to re-capture them. With stunning cinematography, a fine script and marvelous direction from Phillip Noyce, the viewer is drawn into this harrowing story. Peter Gabriel's score suits the setting and subtles acts to enrich the emotional impact of the film. The acting is equally good with Kenneth Branagh as A.O. Neville who earns the nickname "Devil" and David Gulpilil as the aboriginal tracker. the best performances, though, come from the three young girls: Tianna Sansbury as Daisy, the youngest; Laura Monaghan as Gracie, who forces herself to escape with Molly; and Everlyn Sampi as Molly, the head-strong young girl determined to let nothing stop them from returing home. This is a powerful true story, full of emotion. Definitely not one to miss.
Rating:
Summary: Yeah
Review: Rabbit proof fence was one of the best films that i have seen to date. Great Cinematography, great acting, and a heart warming story. My only concern is that with all other review that i have read thus far, it seems that of the American reviewers completely understand the "stolen generation" situation. i found it rather odd particularly from one reviewer from seattle, saying that neither side was completely right, unless you consider sleeping int he dirt, eating lizards and bugs, and no "proper" education Right. Saying this is exactly what the movie was showing. that THe "WHite" Australians where trying to assimilate the Native aborigionies to be "White Australians". Basically trying to remove there customs, beliefs, and way of life. Eating bugs, lizards, kangaroo's, berries is traditional bush tucker. sleeping in the dirt with leaves as a mattress is what they did. It is the Indigenous Australian way of life. The film was showing an event which happened in Australia's past, and how while the "White Australians" might not have been completely wrong, as they did have the native Australians interests at heart, they where simply trying to do what they thought was right with their view of that era. whilst the stolen generation incident happened 74 years ago, it is still an event which is still in the political headlines. THis film allows us as Australians, reflect on this incident, and look forward to the future and learn from our predicesors mistakes.
Rating:
Summary: A Vibrant Story of Survival & Home...
Review: Phillip Noyce is mostly known for his action/suspense films such as Dead Calm (1989) and The Saint (1997). However, in this production he is outdoing himself with a vibrant survival story about the journey of three young back to their home from which they have been taken due to Australia's policy in regards to aborigines. Rabbit-Proof Fence provides a great opportunity to visually experience the girls struggle to reach their goal to get home. This struggle elevates the meaning of hope in our world. In short, the story itself offers a brilliant cinematic experience with Kenneth Branagh as A. O. Neville enhancing the overall experience as well.
Rating:
Summary: IT MAY BREAK YOUR HEART
Review: In Brief This is the true story of three of the members of the Stolen Generation. Molly Craig, a young Aboriginal Girl played by Everlyn Sampi leads her younger sister and cousin in an escape from a government institution, set up as part of a policy to train Aboriginal children as domestic workers and integrate them into white society, where if they are suitable candidates some were chosen have their colour bred out. Escaping this camp where ethnic cleansing has a far happier face on its front than the one that was in Europe at that time, she takes her companions on a journey of 1,500 miles. An epic story that sees Molly one step ahead of the authorities at every turn, as she uses the rabbit proof fence that bisects the continent in this incredible journey home. Review The strength of Rabbit Proof Fence comes through its ability to be both educational in its lessons of hidden history while at the same time reinforcing the human spirit and pathos that one can never loose hope under even the most extreme circumstances.
The mood of the film is conveyed perfectly through the performance given by Everlyn Sampi, who was discovered after a national talent search on the Australian channel nine. Her simple gestures and the power held within her eyes, as she leads her sisters on a journey of extremes is both a testament to herself and director Phillip Noyce. Noyce, a veteran of hits such as Clear and Present Danger and The Bone Collector, has had a successful career "blowing stuff up in the sandpit that is Hollywood" as he put it, though he has never really become a household name outside of his domestic Australian homeland. This month the unsung helmer brings us two films: accompanying this is The Quiet American. Needless to say Fence has his heart while the other satisfies his pocket. Fence is a personal horror story for all Australians that until now has gone untold. It brings to life Doris Pilkington's original novel that tells the story of her mother's courageous journey home. The fence, while having its practical uses in stopping the rabbit population from ravaging crops, acts as a metaphor to us all: For Molly it was the umbilical cord that allowed her to find her mother and her home, while on a secondary level it is showing the rest of the world the way to the truth - and through its symbolic status after the films release has reunited members of the stolen generation. The most successful film in Australia last year, it has already been nominated for 10 AFI awards and depending upon its marketing in the States, deserves worldwide recognition. If ever a child star deserved an Oscar then Everlyn Sampi is a top candidate in my mind. The only major downside to this film is that it has an odd pace and does occasionally feel likes its natural tempo is disrupted in order to give the narrative a kick start it doesn't need. Maybe too many years in Hollywood are responsible, but one can't help but feel that this is a director at odds with his own styles: A question of how much gloss does one use before the reality can no longer breath springs to mind! The Verdict This is a beautiful film that is both mesmerising and finely acted. If only it were slightly grittier, relying less on creating a point of view experience and had let the story speak for itself it would have been perfect.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating , Poingnant and Important
Review: I don't know how else to word the effect this movie had on us other than to say it's a good movie when you are watching it, but a great movie after you have seen it. The fascinating and poingnant true story is overshadowed at times by the slow pace, but you will realize later this was necessary to give you a better feeling for the scope of the girls' journey to reach home. A haunting and important movie the whole family can watch.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best stories ever!
Review: A truely memorable story. Very humbling!
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