Review of Walkabout (1971) by David B — 29 Nov 2014

Two English children from Sydney are taken into the Outback for a picnic by their father who then goes mad and tries to shoot them. The oldest daughter runs away with the much younger brother and hides behind a rock while the father shoots himself in the head and the car blows up. The daughter sees this but the boy does not. They run away into the desert and find a water hole where they encounter an Aborigine boy about the same age as the girl. They take a series of adventures in this.

harsh landscape unable to communicate with each other, The boy helps them survive and falls for the English girl. A film full of symbolism and messages about colonialism and communication. The tragic ending is heartbreaking. Starring the beautiful and enigmatic Jenny Agutter in an amazingly frank performance. Unforgettably haunting.