Screened as part of NZIFF 2009

Wake in Fright 

Directed by Ted Kotcheff

A brilliantly graphic picture of Outback mateship on a bender, this is a legendary, hard-to-see classic of 70s cinema. “A fabulous restoration of one of the greatest Australian films ever made.” — Sydney Film Festival

Australia / USA In English
114 minutes 35mm

Director

Producer

George Willoughby

Screenplay

Evan Jones. Based on the novel by Kenneth Cook

Photography

Brian West

Editor

Anthony Buckley

Production designer

Dennis Gentle

Costume designer

Ron Williams

Music

John Scott

With

Donald Pleasence (Doc Tydon)
,
Gary Bond (John Grant)
,
Chips Rafferty (Jock Crawford)
,
Sylvia Kay (Janette Hynes)
,
Jack Thompson (Dick)
,
Peter Whittle (Joe)
,
Al Thomas (Tim Hynes)
,
John Meillon (Charlie)
,
John Armstrong (Atkins)
,
Slim DeGrey (Jarvis)
,
Maggie Dence (receptionist)

Festivals

Cannes (Cannes Classics), Sydney 2009

Elsewhere

A brilliant, graphic picture of outback mateship on a bender, Wake in Fright is an exhilarating blast of righteous alienation penned in the 60s and a legendary, hard-to-see classic of 70s cinema. Brit actor Gary Bond is John, a cool handsome young blade from Sydney, working out his Education Department bond in an outback school. He’s heading home for Christmas when he’s stuck in Bundanyabba (actually Broken Hill) at the mercy of the belligerently hospitable locals. ‘All the little devils are proud of Hell,’ explains Donald Pleasence, as the town’s alcoholic doctor (and living health warning to educated blokes). The orgy of booze, brawling, gambling, and brutal sex is realised with stunning credibility by Canadian director Ted Kotcheff: the actors – young Jack Thompson is prominent – are scarily into it. The notorious kangaroo hunt – a drunken rampage of destruction – is as shockingly exciting as long-reputed in this superb digital restoration. — BG