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Rabbit Proof Fence on DVD (2002)

Rabbit Proof Fence cover art
Average rating: 76%
1112271020511
3.5
from 1,507 members
 
Starring: Everlyn Sampi, Tianna Sansbury, Laura Monaghan, Ningali Lawford, David Gulpilil, Kenneth Branagh
Director: Phillip Noyce
Studio: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time: 90 mins
Certificate: PG
User collections: Australian Film, a few modern films worth a look
Genres: Children, Drama
Languages: English
Dubbed: Italian
Hearing-impaired: English
Subtitles: English
Released: 12/05/2003

Brief synopsis of Rabbit Proof Fence

Set in Australia in 1931, RABBIT-PROOF FENCE tells the story of a government policy that required "half-caste" children (whose mothers were Aboriginal and whose fathers were white) to be taken from their homes by the authorities to be trained to work as servants. Based on the true story of Molly Craig, Philip Noyce's film of small gestures and few words follows the odyssey of three young girls who escaped from the government's training facility and, using the country's long stretches of rabbit-proof fences as their guide, walked 1500 miles to get back home.
Told squarely from Molly's point of view, RABBIT-PROOF FENCE also highlights the Australian government's treatment of Aboriginies by A.O. Neville (Kenneth Branagh), the legal guardian of the country's indigenous people. His plan to "breed out" the Aboriginal blood of the half-castes is marked by a cool calculation and moral blindness that stands out in sharp contrast to Molly's spiritual and intuitive relationship to the people and places she encounters on her journey.

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Rated - 4 starsSad But True

Lighthouse from BRIGHTON , 13/11/2003

There is no doubt about it, man's attempt to make the world a better and more civilised place is doomed to disaster. This true story tells of three young girls' attempts to stay true to their world while the world wants to eradicate their future and make them into an image of conformity. What is truly disturbing is such things were going on right up to 1970. The film itself is beautifully shot, the adults are sinister in the logical way they come to conclusions and every part is wonderfully acted. But it's the kids who rightfully steal the plaudits. The film ends with us being informed what actually happened to the kids once the film ended. A film that needs to be seen if only for the warning of what governments do in our name and keep quiet about afterwards.

  18 out of 19 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsSurprisingly great viewing

COLINC23 from Lanarkshire , 07/12/2003

I must admit that I ordered this film I error. However would say that this is one of the most thought provoking films I have seen in a long time. It has made me aware of the terrible way in in which the Aboriginal people of Australia were treated until recent times. Notwithstanding that it is a true story, it is very well acted and filmed.

  16 out of 16 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsBrilliant

A customer from Leeds , 24/01/2004

This film was magnificent. A true story with great actors plucked from nowhere. Watch the making of. It's brilliant to see how the cast was selected.

  16 out of 20 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 4 starsTradgedy about the truth...

Charlotte from London , 23/07/2004

Most people i asked about this film didn't sound bothered about it but sometimes there is a movie that you know you have to watch regardless of what others say and this was one of them.

The storyline does seem dull when you say that it is basically all about 3 kids walking home in the dirty outback, but it really happened and its heartbreaking to think about it.

The girls they chose to play the roles were perfect for it and it really gives you a sense of the kind of people they are. I knew nothing about the history of Australia and now i feel i have little more understanding and as usual come to realise how the developed world has abused natives all over the world. It is very sad to think that its a true story and makes me ashamed to think that the persecutors were English.

Although you feel the film will have a happy ending, and in a way it does, you still feel sadened about what happens to these people as their journer affects their whole life.

I think that the film is a must in order to learn a bit about a world far away and to realise how lucky most of us are. Beautifully shot, this film should be seen by all.

  15 out of 15 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 3 starsAustralia?

Anonymous from Liverpool , 22/05/2005

i went to Australia and visited the Red Centre, this film brought back some fantastic images for me of a beautiful country with a not so beautiful past, any person who can appreciate film will enoy this movie, it`s story is powerful, it`s cinematography is awesome! 5 out of 5.

  2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 3 starsWonderful

MrsR from England , 04/02/2004

A simple movie that is well portrayed. This movie could have been made on expressions alone. The actors are wonderful and you will follow their journey, their truimphs and their failures until the end. This is based on a true story and worth watching because it tells an extra ordinary tale in the simplest form leaving you pondering the question of how powerful our will to exist freely really is!

  7 out of 7 people found this review helpful
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