Family film isn't usually a genre you would associate with my back catalogue viewing history of horror, war and Western but I thoroughly enjoyed this film and believe it enjoys greater recognition.
The film is based on the wetlands of the mouth of the Murray River in South Australia. A habitat not normally seen in Australian film and a welcome change from the hot, arrid landscapes more usually the backdrop of Australian cinema.
The film follows the story of Mike (Greg Rowe) who lives in a ramshackle beach hut with his miserable father Tom (Peter Cummins).
Mike befriends an aboriginal character Fingerbone (renowned aboriginal actor David Gulpilil) and spends his spare time helping his dad fishing and trawling the wetlands.
One day he rescues pelican chicks and nurses them quite literally to fully grown birds.
Here the film is like the celebrated British film, Kes (1969) although I found the wetlands far more appealing than Barnsley, and pelicans replace the kestrel.
The cast give good performances. The wetlands provide good photography opportunities. The musical score is appropriate for the sad nature of the story that develops around Mike and his quite educationally deprived upbringing. A very different side of Australia and a good story.
The film is based on the wetlands of the mouth of the Murray River in South Australia. A habitat not normally seen in Australian film and a welcome change from the hot, arrid landscapes more usually the backdrop of Australian cinema.
The film follows the story of Mike (Greg Rowe) who lives in a ramshackle beach hut with his miserable father Tom (Peter Cummins).
Mike befriends an aboriginal character Fingerbone (renowned aboriginal actor David Gulpilil) and spends his spare time helping his dad fishing and trawling the wetlands.
One day he rescues pelican chicks and nurses them quite literally to fully grown birds.
Here the film is like the celebrated British film, Kes (1969) although I found the wetlands far more appealing than Barnsley, and pelicans replace the kestrel.
The cast give good performances. The wetlands provide good photography opportunities. The musical score is appropriate for the sad nature of the story that develops around Mike and his quite educationally deprived upbringing. A very different side of Australia and a good story.