Walkabout

 

Walkabout 1971

• Director: Nicolas Roeg
• Seen by this director: The Man Who Fell to Earth
• Based on the book by James Vance Marshall
• Cast: Jenny Agutter, David Gulpilil, Luc Roeg
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Jenny Agutter – Queen of the Desert, Glorious 39, Love’s Labour’s Lost,
• David Gulpilil – Australia, Rabbit-Proof Fence, Crocodile Dundee
• Why? I remember liking it.
• Seen:  Once before. Now 23 May 2024 

       A girl (Agutter) and her little brother (Roeg) are abandoned in the Australian outback. They are rescued by an aboriginal boy (Gulpilil).

       Much of the film is like a nature documentary, as beautiful as it is harsh and deadly.

       It’s not as good as I remember it. There is a bit of the Noble Savage about it and a long unnecessary scene with the girl swimming naked. There is, in fact, a tone of sexism throughout.

       An odd mix that doesn’t lead anywhere. Maybe in the 70s it seemed radical. 

2 ½ * of 5