Review of The Last Wave (1977) by Orlok W — 16 Jan 2014
This is Weir's white western take on the dreamtime, the aboriginal spiritual plane. He doesn't purport to understand and he passed the script through some tribal elders and added material that they suggested.
The indigenous actors here, apart from David Gulpilil (who famously appeared in Walkabout), are non-professionals brought in by Nandjiwarra Amagula who plays Charlie, the elder with the magical powers.
Richard Chamberlain is the protagonist with whom we identify as he makes contact with a secretive Aboriginal group through his involvement as their lawyer in a murder case and with the dreamtime through a series of premonitions and visions.
The film is full of foreboding from start to finish and a persistent low rumbling on the soundtrack keeps viewers on edge. A very mysterious film, filled with beautiful images, that ties up some loose ends, but leaves an ominous feeling in the mind.
Perhaps this has something to do with white destruction of indigenous cultures?
This review of The Last Wave (1977) was written by Orlok W on 16 Jan 2014.
The Last Wave has generally received positive reviews.
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