| Major Cast | |
|---|---|
| Everlyn Sampi | as Molly Craig |
| Tiana Sansbury | as Daisy Craig Kadibill |
| Laura Monaghan | as Gracie Fields |
| David Gulpilil | as Moodoo |
| Ningali Lawford | as Maud, Molly's Mother |
| Myarn Lawford | as Molly's Grandmother |
| Deborah Mailman | as Mavis |
| Jason Clarke | as Constable Riggs |
| Kenneth Branagh | as A. O. Neville |
| Natasha Wanganeen | as Nina, Dormitory Boss |
| Gary McDonald | as Mr. Neal at Moore River |
| Roy Billing | as Police Inspector |
| Lorna Leslie | as Miss Thomas |
| Celine O'Leary | as Miss Jessop |
| Kate Roberts | as Matron at Moore River |
| MPAA Rating: | PG |
| Production Company: | Rumbalara Films |
| Distributors (US): | Miramax (theatrical) Echo Bridge Home Entertainment (DVD) |
| Release Date (US): | 1/31/2003 |
| Running Time: | 94 minutes |
| Languages: | Aboriginal English |
| Domestic Box Office: | $6,165,429 (4/27/2003) |
| Lifetime Box Office: | $6,199,600 (Mojo) |
| Production Budget: | $6,000,000 (Est.) |
Following Australian government policy on aboriginal residents, Constable Riggs orders three half-caste children living at Jigalong in the interior taken from their mothers and moved to a dormitory at the Moore River Native Settlement, where they will be raised "properly" and trained as domestic servants. Life at the Settlement is harsh: the girls are held to a strict routine of menial chores, mealtimes, and Christian prayer. They are not allowed to speak their native language. Even minor infractions are punished by solitary confinement. The accomodations are austere.
After some time, the three girls (Molly, 14; her sister Daisy, 8; and cousin Gracie, 10) run away into the wilderness and head for home on foot. They have little food and only the clothes on their backs at the start. On learning of their escape, Riggs orders a massive search. With some help from those they meet along the way, the three manage to evade capture for weeks — until Molly, the oldest, is picked up at a railway station. She vanishes from the story at that point. The other two complete the 1,500-mile (3,300 km) journey and are reunited with their families, who hide them from the authorities.
The film is based on a true story, set forth in the book Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington Garimara. She is the daughter of the real-life Molly Craig, who appears at the end of the film along with ? The film is a subtle but searing criticism of the callous government policy of the time (circa 1930.)1 That policy was abandoned in 1970.
The film is beautifully photographed. The three children turn in fine performances in their first film roles (aided by acting coach Rachel Maza.) David Gulpilil also delivers an excellent performance as Moodoo the tracker. The pacing does get slow in a few places — but a portrayal of a months-long walkabout will tend to do that no matter the skill of the director and editor. Philip Noyce does a good job keeping this to a minimum.
My Rating:
9 out of 10
Capsule review: Rabbit-Proof Fence is a must-see film.
| IMDB Rating: 7.5 | Raters: 25,184 |
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