Rabbit-Proof Fence DVD Review:


Synopsis

At a time when it was Australian government policy to train aboriginal children as domestic workers and integrate them into white society, young Molly Craig decides to lead her sister and cousin in a daring escape from their internment camp! Molly and the girls, part of what would become known as Australia's "Stolen Generations," must elude the authorities on a dangerous 1,500-mile adventure along the rabbit-proof fence that bisects the continent and will lead them home.

Critique

Rabbit-Proof Fence provides an extraordinary look at the history of what happened to the young generation of Aboriginal girls in 1930s Australia. Made in late 2000, Director Phillip Noyce (Patriot Games) creates a sense of realism and importance in this film, but most important is the remembrance of the subject matter and its inglorious history.

The fascinating thing about this film is the true story and journey of Molly Craig (Everlyn Sampi), her younger sister Daisy (Tianna Sansbury), and cousin Gracie (Laura Monaghan). The story of their escape and journey across the Australian Outback is the subject of Doris Pilkington Garimara’s book. Pilkington is the daughter of the real Molly Craig. It is in the Aboriginal nature to pass history from one generation to the next by telling stories in groups and gatherings. Christine Olson is the screenwriter of this film and crafted a well-written script that conveys the innocence, danger, and importance of Molly Craig and the girls. Yet, it is the acting, directing, photography, and music that elevates and realizes the script to almost perfection and dramatic excellence.

Led by a strong cast of characters and actors, Rabbit Proof Fence elicits real emotions and a sense of urgency. The three young girls perform very realistically and natural. They really hold this film together. As Phillip Noyce indicated in the documentary in the special features section, he wanted the girls to be the kind of children a couple would consider to adopt. In other words, they have great chemistry and it makes the film so much better. If it were not for them, the film would lack its connectivity and pace. As it stands, the pace of the film is not perfect and tends to slow down more often than intended, but it goes on a journey itself by following the girls and showing their pursuers. Two important, yet secondary cast members include Kenneth Branagh (Henry V, The Gingerbread Man) and David Gulpilil (Nicolas Roeg’s Walkabout, Peter Weir’s The Last Wave). Both are familiar faces and skillful actors in their own perspective. They bring stability and balance to Rabbit-Proof Fence.

Phillip Noyce makes a statement with this film and it is very good to see him emerge from the troubling aspects of his previous, lackluster films. In addition to 2002’s excellent The Quiet American, starring Michael Caine, Noyce reinvents himself and proves he can still find and direct very good material. Two important contributors to Rabbit-Proof Fence are cinematographer Christopher Doyle and musician Peter Gabriel. Doyle’s shaky, yet in-your-face camera moves get you very much involved in the film’s events. Gabriel’s score is also very ambient and creates a terrific mood and atmosphere.

Rabbit-Proof Fence, despite its slow pace in some spots, is terrifically performed, directed, written, shot, scored, and produced. Hopefully more historical events can be captured in the future with the same kind of atmosphere and flair such as this film.

8 out of 10

The Video

Rabbit-Proof Fence’s theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1 is a great cinematic experience. DOP Christopher Doyle and Phillip Noyce move the camera exquisitely to showcase all the beauty (landscapes) and danger (chase sequences) of the Australian outback. Also enhanced for 16x9 televisions, this transfer lacks consistency. There are moments when nature’s lighting and colors make the print look more realistic than theatrical, yet during some of these moments the image is not sharp enough. It looks like the footage cut together in its various stages and ways brings about grainy artifacts that ultimately plague the print and presentation. However, these artifacts don’t have a strong degree of impact, yet they’re noticeable to the naked eye. With hardly any manufactured light and true colors of Australia’s landscapes, the images look fantastic. The handling of the print in some spots is just not consistent with the rest of the transfer. All things considered, the transfer looks pretty good overall.

8 out of 10

The Audio

Audio is not an issue in the film overall, but Disney’s 5.1 Surround Sound presentation of it is handled rather nicely. Surely, Rabbit-Proof Fence doesn’t rely on its auditory presentation, but more so on its characters and the cinematography. Rear speakers rarely tend to emit much sound, but when Peter Gabriel’s score starts so do the speakers, all around. Dialogue scenes are clear and easy to understand. Cut short, this film isn’t audio-driven, but what is presented here is a job well done.

8 out of 10

The Extras

Following the Rabbit-Proof Fence Documentary – Written and Directed by Darlene Johnson, this documentary runs circa 42 minutes in length and goes very in-depth in the casting process, preparations, and shooting of the film. Probably the most interesting part of this documentary is the search for the final three girls. Phillip Noyce is very involved in the process as he and his crew scout many locations in Australia to audition the young hopefuls. Once they’re selected, their drama coach comes in to give the girls guidance and help them focus. The drama that ensues just days before filming – Everlyn Sampi has doubts about her ability and leadership of her role -- really comes across in this documentary and shows an interesting side to what kind of pressure the acting process and preparations can do to a person, to a young teenager no less. Once shooting begins, Darlene Johnson’s cameras are right there to document it all. This documentary is very well produced and edited and gives an exciting and dramatic behind-the-scenes look at the process and making of Rabbit-Proof Fence.

Commentary by Phillip Noyce, featuring: Peter Gabriel, Actor Kenneth Branagh, Screenwriter Christine Olson and Author Doris Pilkington Garimara – Noyce starts it off by talking about his early involvement, after wrapping up The Bone Collector, and hesitation to the film. Originally meeting with Harrison Ford to discuss The Sum of All Fears back in late 1999, Noyce realized he didn’t need to deal with the Hollywood star system and instead focused on bringing Christine Olson’s script to the screen. Olson jumps in afterwards and it goes back and forth between the comments from the people listed above. This commentary track is edited together noticeably and lacks a sense of being. Much of the comments feel like they’re read off a prepared text, but it might just sound like it and in fact these people know exactly what they want to say instead of pausing to think. If you like the film, give this track a definite listen. If you don’t like the film, you might want to listen anyway and maybe you realize how it all came together and you can appreciate the work that way.

I’m kind of miffed about the omission of the Theatrical Trailer, something of a mandatory deal by now. Nevertheless, the excellent, in-depth documentary and the audio commentary make this special features department, well, special.

7 out of 10

Overall

Rabbit Proof Fence is a very good film. The three girls perform so well that we care very much for the fate of the characters. Despite a slow pace, Phillip Noyce and crew deliver a very interesting drama of a time that should never be forgotten and must be remembered so as not to repeat it. The DVD release lacks determination in its video presentation, but the audio transfer is handled well. With a terrific documentary and interesting audio commentary, Rabbit-Proof Fence is worth your time and money.

While I’m hesitant to recommend a purchase, I will say that you should definitely give this film a high consideration when in the video store. If you like Noyce’s work, you might as well purchase this DVD as you’ll see this film is the best he’s directed in a while (not to mention The Quiet American, a very good film from Miramax).

Overall DVD Rating: 8 out of 10

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