Rabbit-Proof Fence
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Movie Reviews of Rabbit-Proof Fence
Movie Review: Going Home: Three Girls' 1,500 Mile Journey in Australia
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a story that must be told again and again, from generation to generation. In 1931, Australia, three aboriginal girls were taken away from their mothers, in order to be raised under the Christian educational system. The most touching part of the story is, the three girls ran away from the institute, to walk back to their home, barefoot. And the home was 1,500 miles away.
You may find the story is incredible, but what is told is true (you will see that before the end credit rolls). Because of the government's law that attempted to 'save' the aboriganl children, the three girls, Molly, Gracie, and Daisy were captured by force while playing in their village, to be sent to the special institute where the new educational rules were set for the aboriginal children.
But Molly was not a girl to give up, so she and the two girls set out one of the hardest travels in the movie history -- to go back to their home, going 1,500 miles, barefoot. The only guidance they could have was the rabbit proof fence (they made to prevent the imported rabbits from spreading westward), which would lead them to the destination.
But the governental officer in charge A.O. Neville (Kenneth Branagh) soon starts to move. An able tracker Moodoo follows thier route, reading the footprints on the ground.
Can the three girls go back to their home? The film tells us the simple, but moving story with a skilled storytell's voice, without making it too dramatic nor too lean. Actually, it is suspeceful when it wants to, but when it does, it does not lose its authenticity at all.
TWO GREAT POINTS about the film are its soundtrack music by Peter Gabriel, and the photography by Christopher Doyle. The film together with their contributions unfolds like an epic against the marvelous backdrop of the nature in Australia. And though three girls (all non-pro actors) are all convincing, it is Kenneth Branagh who really amazes us. His character is a very believable one, a kind of person doing very atrocious things out of what he believes is pure good-will. Branagh is very good when he does this sort of tricky job, as is seen in his portrayal of Nati officer in equally impressive 'The Conspirasy.'
DIRECTOR PHILIP NOYCE (himself from Australia) is probably known for his two Jack Ryan films, one so-so shocker 'Bone Collector' or several awful thrillers like 'Sliver' and 'The Saint.' Forget about his past records. He is a good director if given a right material, and now he shows it again.
Movie Review: A harrowing tale
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a harrowing tale of three little girls who were ripped away from their mothers and their long journey home. In the beginning of the movie we are introduced to Molly, Grace, and Daisy who are being taught to hunt and live off the land by their Aboriginal Mothers. The Mothers warn the girls to hide when they see a white officer arrive. The girls have to hide because they were half white and half aboriginal, or as they are called in the movie "half-caste".
In 1905 The Aborigines Act was passed. "Under this law, the Chief Protector is made the legal guardian of every Aboriginal and 'half-caste' child under 16 years old" ([...]). In the movie the Chief Protector, A.O. Neville, uses his power to remove any half-caste child from their families. He honestly thinks he is helping the children by doing this. The way he sees it, he is providing them food, shelter, schooling, and a path to God or at least his version thereof. He fails to recognize the Aboriginal way of spirituality as an alternative. The Aborigines people on the other hand don't mind the presence of the white man and seem to get along just fine with them as long as they don't interfere. The missionaries' lack of understanding different religious cultures is to their detriment as Molly displays courage in running away from the compound with her sister and cousin and adeptness at surviving in the harsh conditions they face on their journey to find the Rabbit Proof Fence and home. She is able to elude capture utilizing skills she learned from her people, the Aboriginal people, skills that serve her well and connected her with the earth and her spiritual side. Molly's ability left even Mr. Neville acknowledging that she was a clever girl.
I was shocked to learn that Australia had such a similar repressive history when compared to the rest of the world. I had no idea that slavery existed there nor that they had laws allowing half white children to be ripped from their families, some even as babies. On the other hand I was moved by Molly's determination to get home despite the circumstances. The girls walked in the same clothing and shoes for 9 weeks, drinking from grass wells in the desert, sleeping on dirt, eating what they could find and what was offered by strangers. I think many people today would give up in the face of such harsh circumstances, but these girls pressed on. It just shows you what will, wits and determination can get you in life. I came away from this movie with a new appreciation for my comforts at home.
Movie Review: KEEP THE FENCE ON THE RIGHT!
Summary: 5 Stars
Its hard sometimes to think that we are part of the human race, especially when we encounter the most inhumane programs we have enforced on our fellow man. It makes you want to slink away into the jungle and mayhaps emerge on the other side and with any luck, all the bad things we have wrought, will have vanished!But, as docudrama's unfold we are again brought to the fore to witness yet another crime against each other. Rabbit-Proof Fence is such a docudrama, as we see the gov't of Australia take half white aboriginal children away from their mothers arms and send them off to schools to be taught to be domestics and to be parterned with other breeds to cull out the aborigine blood in three generations. The great men who thought this up would have fit in with Hitler like a glove. And to think that this program did not end until 1970s is beyond belief. And the present government of Australia does not offer any condolences for the program.
The people of this offensive program were and are referred to as 'The Stolen Generation'
Molly and Gracie are sisters and one day they are snatched away from their mother by the police like animals and along with their cousin Gracie. They are taken hundreds of miles away to be trained as domestics, and to enter a breeding program to retrieve all the white genes and breed the aboriginal gene's out. Kenneth Branagh is Dr. Neville and in charge of the program and you will not like him very much. All the children at the camp call him "Dr. Devil." The girls escape and trek some 1300-1500 miles back to their ancestral village, their ages are 14, 8, and 10. Molly remembers someone saying that the rabbit fence at their home runs the from coast to coast and they head for the outback in hopes of finding that fence. They meet some people along the way who are nice to them and head them to the fence. There is a hunt for them and no one can imagine how they have made it 600 miles away, but they cannot catch them. Every trap they set the girls get away.
Molly's mother hears of her daughter journey and she and the grandmother set up a vigilance at the rabbit fence and meditate and sing a mantra and wait for the girls to return.
There are some scary moments and the girls have much hardships. And you will be amazed at the acting skills of these three young women.
At the end of the movie no one wanted to leave we all hung around the theater, really not knowing why, but, sadly everyone finally started leaving the theater and no one was talking...
ciao yaaah69 I gave this 5/5
Movie Review: Rabbit-Proof Fence
Summary: 5 Stars
Director, Philip Noyce, does an outstanding job of finding local talent. Brilliant performances are given by first time actors for the roles of Molly Craig (Everlyn Sampi), little sister Daisy Craig (Tianna Sansbury), and cousin Gracie Fields (Laura Monoghan). Peter Gabriel receives a Golden Globe nomination for "Best Original Score."
Based on a true story, "Rabbit-Proof Fence" is a powerful and poignant recount of three young Aboriginal girls who fall victim, in the early 1930's, to a government led initiative to purify `half-caste' children. Born out of `white man's' arrogance, the program is publicized as functioning for the betterment of the children. The supposition proposes that bi-racial (half-caste) Aborigine children are better off raised in white families. There, they will be sent to school and taught to live among white people.
A supremacist minded politician, A. O. Neville (Kenneth Branagh) leads the charge in what is now known as "the stolen generations," a phrase used to depict the result caused by barbaric acts of stripping children from their families, leaving behind their indigenous culture, and forcing new beliefs upon them.
As the story unfolds, what the government officials do not count on is the determination and resourceful spirit of these three young girls and their overwhelming desire to return to their native families. The journey continues as they put their destiny into their own hands and face the biggest survival test of their young lives. First, they must escape from the Moore River Native Settlement where they are being held captive.
When word arrives of the girls' escape, the Jigalong tribe turns to their sacred ways in hopes of evoking the spirit world to help bring them back home. Family members participate in rituals filled with ancient chants, rhythmic drumming, and meditation to call up strength, guidance, and protection for the long journey home. To get home, the girls will have to avoid being caught by skilled trackers, walk 1,500 miles over treacherous terrain, endure searing heat, thirst and hunger -- and the only thing they have to navigate by is a "rabbit-proof fence."
Rabbit-Proof Fence. Screenplay by Christine Olsen. Dir. and Prod. Phillip Noyce. 2002. Miramax Home Entertainment. 2003. DVD
Movie Review: First Time Viewer of Rabbit Proof Fence
Summary: 5 Stars
This was a remarkable film about three aboriginal girls, Molly, Gracie and Daisy who set out on a courageous journey through the rough Australian terrain attempting to return to their indigenous homeland after their abduction by the Australian government lands them in an internment camp. Brave Molly leads her sister and cousin on an adventurous quest back to their sacred land to reunite with their mothers while being hunted by an aboriginal tracker hired by the government to capture them. This film entails the struggles of the "stolen generation" during the time span of the 1880s through the 1960s where half caste children were forcibly removed, often abused and trained to work at specific menial task (1991,Fisher).
In the opening scenes Molly's mother points to a bird flying high above their heads. She informs her daughter that this spirit will protect and guide her which is consistent with most indigenous faiths. Birds are messengers from the spirit world.(1991,Fisher)The movie accurately reflects the importance of keeping one's own sacred beliefs and leaning on years of training for hunting and gathering purposes. Molly's training enables her to seek out food, cover their tracks and outwit the government at every turn. The kindness shown to these three by strangers is heartwarming and at times unexpected. You will find yourself cheering them on against a regime hypocritical enough to have sexual relations with the colored people to produce the half caste yet exclaiming these same offspring must be used to eradicate any further blending.
It is shocking and saddening to see people of high influence committed to a false theory that one race has supremacy over the other. So much so that they force their own beliefs and ways onto a people who possess their own faith which is handed down from generation to generation. Sadly this phenomenon continues even today as the western world seeks to convert so called savages to Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism etc. There is a common nonchalant attitude towards totally uprooting another groups entire way of life in order to transplant a foreign god into their lives. We all have the freedom within ourselves to believe as we are convicted too in our own hearts. Molly fights for this freedom and indeed takes her own back.