Review of Wake in Fright (1971) by Michael T — 29 Apr 2017

Wake In Fright, a movie which takes place in the furiously sun-drenched and lethal Australian Outback is, quite naturally, shockingly harsh and perpetually bleak. It contains very little levity, few moments of optimism and is almost completely oppressive.

From the unsettling score, wide angle shots and a camera which refuses to remain still, the atmosphere is always one of tension, paranoia and foreboding. Gary Bond, English actor and premiere Peter O'Toole lookalike, finds himself stuck in a backwards town where the locals are friendly, eager to talk and encourage him to stay by constantly filling him to the eyeballs with alcohol, i.

E. the most accurate depiction of Outback Australian culture in cinematic history. The film depicts him slowly losing him mind, his brain eroded by booze, extreme heat, unhinged locals and the pervading insanity which surrounds him.

Donald Pleasance steal the show, as far as being the most convincing madcap performance, chugging beer endlessly and smiling with the demented fervour of a man who long since embraced his lunacy. It's definitely not to everyone's taste, especially the brutally graphic Kangaroo hunting scene and the lack of light relief, but its plan is clearly to shock and surprise, and it manages both on more than one occasion.

A one-watch movie perhaps, but one you will never forget.