Wake in Fright: The Lost Horror Classic of Australian Cinema
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Australia is known around the world for many things. The first ones that pop in mind are the amazing landscapes, untamed wildlife, the great Outback, and a vibrant culture. Part of that culture, a long line of movies, and cinematographic history gave the world titles like Chopper, Mad Max, Candy, and Red Dog. Many movie fans are not aware of the Australian horror movie genre. Wake in Fright is one of the few Aussie horror movies that gained popularity outside of Australia and has an extraordinary story. This Australian horror film was released in 1971 and was showcased at the Cannes Film Festival the same year.
However, it wasn’t until its second screening at Cannes in 2009 that it finally received the acclaim it had long deserved in its home country. The movie portrays the Australian outback as a harsh and untamed environment, testing the endurance and resilience of its inhabitants.
Wake in Fright: From Near Destruction to Cannes The horror movie directed by Ted Kotcheff was shot in Australia in 1971 and is based on the novel of the same name written by Kenneth Cook ten years earlier. Despite starring actors like Donald Pleasance, Sylvia Kay, Gary Bond, and Chips Rafferty, the production didn’t make waves in Australia then.
The movie gained notoriety for its realistic and uncompromising depiction of the Australian outback culture, which involved excessive drinking, violent behavior, and a widely criticized scene of kangaroo hunting. These aspects of the film were considered quite challenging and controversial, particularly for the Australian audiences of the early 1970s, and it may have caused many potential viewers to feel alienated. Wake in Fright challenged the typical portrayal of Australia and Australians, which might not have been well-received by all. In addition, during that period, Australian films often suffered from a perception of inferiority compared to Hollywood or European productions.
All these factors contributed to the movie getting lost in time without real recognition. However, in 2004, the original negative was discovered in Los Angeles in a bin labeled “for destruction.” After a series of fortune events and strong will from a handful of people, the movie screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 2009, and that was the start of getting the recognition it deserved. This incredible transformative journey is all the credit of its editor, Tony Buckley, who began a worldwide search for a print of the movie.
The entities that would later own the entertainment giant Columbia initially supported the project. However, the negative of the project was discovered in the United States. Columbia had transferred the last remaining negative to Iron Mountain, a firm specializing in archiving and disposal, where it was intended to be destroyed. Luckily, Buckley found these negatives just before they were destroyed and dedicated two years to their restoration.
What Wake in Fright is All About? The movie was released internationally as “Outback,” and it tells the story of a teacher named John Grant (portrayed by Gary Bond) who is journeying back home for the Christmas holidays. Intending only a brief stay in the imaginary outback town of Bundanyabba en route to Sydney, his plans unexpectedly spiral into a chaotic weekend filled with excessive drinking, gambling, male sexual assault, and brutal kangaroo hunting.
And while gambling in Australia is not a frowned-upon activity, the sexual assault and animal cruelty scenes were hard to digest even in 2009. David Stratton, a well-known film critic in Australia, has noted that the passage of time since the film's debut has allowed Australians to understand better and appreciate it. He states that "there has been a significant shift in perspectives" since Wake in Fright was released in 1971.
The movie's theme centers around the character John, whose narrative highlights the sharp contrast in values and perspectives between urban and rural inhabitants in Australia. The film showcases the differing attitudes towards community and a sense of belonging held by city and outback residents. It portrays deep animosity between these contrasting viewpoints, which may be beyond reconciliation. The movie exposes the profound political, cultural, economic, and social divisions between those living in urban areas and their counterparts in rural settings.
Final Words This film is a standout gem in Australian cinema compared to its contemporaries. Its intricate and intense narrative offers a blend of shock and surrealism. Wake In Fright explores contrasting values, viewpoints, and concepts of masculinity while maintaining a unique and potent ambiance. It can be characterized as an unusual thriller, marked by an ambiguous, omnipresent, and elusive antagonist. The film provides ample material for contemplation and lessons to be gleaned, making it a must-watch nowadays.
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Australia is known around the world for many things. The first ones that pop in mind are the amazing landscapes, untamed wildlife, the great Outback, and a vibrant culture. Part of that culture, a long line of movies, and cinematographic history gave the world titles like Chopper, Mad Max, Candy, and Red Dog. Many movie fans are not aware of the Australian horror movie genre. Wake in Fright is one of the few Aussie horror movies that gained popularity outside of Australia and has an extraordinary story. This Australian horror film was released in 1971 and was showcased at the Cannes Film Festival the same year.
However, it wasn’t until its second screening at Cannes in 2009 that it finally received the acclaim it had long deserved in its home country. The movie portrays the Australian outback as a harsh and untamed environment, testing the endurance and resilience of its inhabitants.
Wake in Fright: From Near Destruction to Cannes
The horror movie directed by Ted Kotcheff was shot in Australia in 1971 and is based on the novel of the same name written by Kenneth Cook ten years earlier. Despite starring actors like Donald Pleasance, Sylvia Kay, Gary Bond, and Chips Rafferty, the production didn’t make waves in Australia then.
The movie gained notoriety for its realistic and uncompromising depiction of the Australian outback culture, which involved excessive drinking, violent behavior, and a widely criticized scene of kangaroo hunting. These aspects of the film were considered quite challenging and controversial, particularly for the Australian audiences of the early 1970s, and it may have caused many potential viewers to feel alienated. Wake in Fright challenged the typical portrayal of Australia and Australians, which might not have been well-received by all. In addition, during that period, Australian films often suffered from a perception of inferiority compared to Hollywood or European productions.
All these factors contributed to the movie getting lost in time without real recognition. However, in 2004, the original negative was discovered in Los Angeles in a bin labeled “for destruction.” After a series of fortune events and strong will from a handful of people, the movie screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 2009, and that was the start of getting the recognition it deserved. This incredible transformative journey is all the credit of its editor, Tony Buckley, who began a worldwide search for a print of the movie.
The entities that would later own the entertainment giant Columbia initially supported the project. However, the negative of the project was discovered in the United States. Columbia had transferred the last remaining negative to Iron Mountain, a firm specializing in archiving and disposal, where it was intended to be destroyed. Luckily, Buckley found these negatives just before they were destroyed and dedicated two years to their restoration.
What Wake in Fright is All About?
The movie was released internationally as “Outback,” and it tells the story of a teacher named John Grant (portrayed by Gary Bond) who is journeying back home for the Christmas holidays. Intending only a brief stay in the imaginary outback town of Bundanyabba en route to Sydney, his plans unexpectedly spiral into a chaotic weekend filled with excessive drinking, gambling, male sexual assault, and brutal kangaroo hunting.
And while gambling in Australia is not a frowned-upon activity, the sexual assault and animal cruelty scenes were hard to digest even in 2009. David Stratton, a well-known film critic in Australia, has noted that the passage of time since the film's debut has allowed Australians to understand better and appreciate it. He states that "there has been a significant shift in perspectives" since Wake in Fright was released in 1971.
The movie's theme centers around the character John, whose narrative highlights the sharp contrast in values and perspectives between urban and rural inhabitants in Australia. The film showcases the differing attitudes towards community and a sense of belonging held by city and outback residents. It portrays deep animosity between these contrasting viewpoints, which may be beyond reconciliation. The movie exposes the profound political, cultural, economic, and social divisions between those living in urban areas and their counterparts in rural settings.
Final Words
This film is a standout gem in Australian cinema compared to its contemporaries. Its intricate and intense narrative offers a blend of shock and surrealism. Wake In Fright explores contrasting values, viewpoints, and concepts of masculinity while maintaining a unique and potent ambiance. It can be characterized as an unusual thriller, marked by an ambiguous, omnipresent, and elusive antagonist. The film provides ample material for contemplation and lessons to be gleaned, making it a must-watch nowadays.