Wake In Fright
Director: Ted Kotcheff
Year: 1971
Country: Australia
Duration: 114 minutes
Print source: Madman
Web: www.madman.com.au
Often spoken about but rarely seen since it was first released in 1971 Wake In Fright is the neglected Australian classic. Based on Kenneth Cook’s novel of outback terror, Wake In Fright presents a side of Australia rarely seen in cinema even now. John Grant is a bonded teacher stranded in the ‘Yabba a brutally raw rural town in which the major pastime is drinking to avoid the fly blown heat. The endless bout of booze and hangovers is broken only by occasional fights, hunting and perhaps some slobbering drunken sex. With no money, no friends, and no way of reaching Sydney, Grant is forced to turn to local drunk Doc Tydon for anything resembling support. Mateship has never been so tense and the expanse of the outback has never been so claustrophobic.
With an incredible cast – including a brilliant Donald Pleasance as Tydon - and tight direction by Kotcheff, this newly restored version of Wake In Fright has been years coming, but it’s worth the wait. The original film was nominated for a Golden Palm at Cannes and was critically rated overseas, but never found an audience at home. Now, finally getting the respect it deserves, Wake In Fright is essential viewing. Revelation are pleased to be screening this Australian classic.