Synopsis
Australian lawyer David Burton agrees with reluctance to defend a group of Aboriginal people charged with murdering one of their own. He suspects the victim was targeted for violating a tribal taboo, but the defendants deny any tribal association. Burton, plagued by apocalyptic visions of water, slowly realizes danger may come from his own involvement with the Aboriginal people and their prophecies.
Your Movie Library
Cast
- Richard ChamberlainDavid Burton
- Olivia HamnettAnnie Burton
- David GulpililChris Lee
- Frederick ParslowRev. Burton
- Vivean GrayDr. Whitburn
- Athol ComptonBilly Corman
- Peter CarrollMichael Zeadler
- Walter AmagulaGerry Lee
- Michael DuffieldAndrew Potter
- Nandjiwarra AmagulaCharlie
Recommendations
- 100
Christian Science Monitor
Weir had a truly magical touch in early films like this 1977 masterpiece, which offers a transfixing excursion into the "dream time" of Australian myth. - 80
Chicago Reader
Weir does manage to deliver the goods. - 80
TV Guide Magazine
A powerful, yet subtle, picture from Australian director Peter Weir, who has demonstrated quite a flair for mystical themes. - 80
Variety
Richard Chamberlain is highly effective as a young lawyer caught up in a case of an aborigine murdered by some others in town. - 80
Village Voice
A minor triumph of atmosphere and nightmare imaginings.
