The truth is, we weren't ready for it in 1971. I am so glad that the negative was retrieved from Pittsburgh and saved from destruction.

I was 13 years old when Wake In Fright was filmed in my home town of Broken Hill. The same location as Mad Max 2 ( the road warrior). When the film was first released, everybody in my town hated it, but I loved it. I thought it was such an accurate depiction of Broken Hill. I copped so much flack from everybody in town, but I always thought it a classic.

@latenightlogic

3 жыл бұрын

I was still a twinkle in my fathers eye when it was filmed… my grandfather Joe Keenan has a cameo playing the trumpet in a bar scene and so this film has even more special appeal to me beyond the fact it was the only film to be screen twice at Cannes, is a lost classic etc.

@charliebrown4624

3 жыл бұрын

@@latenightlogic I remember Joe, and I have a copy of the film on DVD.

@fletcherhamilton3177

3 жыл бұрын

It’s an odd film . . . I’d argue it condemned the ‘city slickers’ at least somewhat more than the ‘bushmen’. But it was very nuanced. A million times better than that _Wrong Turn_ ‘civilized urban Dems go into the sticks and run afoul of gun-toting Republicans’ narrative that pervades this genre nowadays as Hollywood continually sh*ts on the rural ‘working class’ . . . 🙄

@drkresearch2945

2 жыл бұрын

This sort of mateship was still in evidence during my time at Mount Isa in the 1990’s.

@Deliquescentinsight

2 жыл бұрын

I can understand people being uncomfortable with this film, especially the town it was produced in, 'The Yabba' represents something about Australian culture that does not slot into idealistic, superficial accounts, we don't like to think of ourselves as being insular, parodies of national 'types', as depicted in this film - it is a little hard edged and existential, it confronts people. Good on you for seeing the value in WIF, I agree with you, it is a remarkable achievement; it has flaws like any work of art, but it is unique.

One of the best, most difficult films to watch, I saw it in the 70s & never forgot it finally got a cd copy 10 years ago on Ebay.

@peterfeistamel7081

3 жыл бұрын

It will live with you

I'm really glad more people, including me, are seeing this great film now.

Ted Kotcheff comes across as a very pleasant bloke, the film is something else 🔥🔥

Truly one of the best movies ever made.

When I watched the film last year it reminded me of how I grew up in texas back in the fifty and early sixties all of my young friends would pile in a old car and sit on the finders riding down many dirt roads shooting rabbits drinking beer it was the same

I found out about this film in an unorthodox way. A long time ago I noticed a $20 bill I had in my wallet had "Wake in Fright" written on it. This got me curious, so I looked it up on google to see if the phrase had any significance, and that started a chain of events that ended with me watching this movie.

Watched this on ABC iView last week. Never knew it existed and the story behind its disappearance is amazing. The film is confronting at times but the issues surrounding alcoholism are as real today as they were 50 years ago.

An astonishing film. One of my favorites ever.

Wow! I have only recently discovered anything about this incredible film. A network in Australia did a TV series reboot...it was horrible. No, the original, the story of its physical journey and the passionate people behind its re-discovery...amazing. The film itself is a testament to anyone courageous enough to tell a story that tears straight into the core of the frail, Aussie, macho psyche. It's breathtaking. I will continue re-watching it for many years to come

Ted has created a wonderful movie, and now he is finally rewarded. Here is the Hero, who has had success in the end! I hope to do so myself, one day.

What a most incredible story, I'm so happy i got to see this film wow!

Great interview. Yes Wake in Fright is a movie that stands the test of time. The two up scenes are quintessentially Aussie and bring back memories of going to such two up games in my younger years. The director captures the outback spirit beautifully. Great performances by Donald Pleasense and Gary Bond top it off.

Great Movie Great cast. A changing of the guard for some Aussie actors.

I respect you did with wake in frieight, I thank you and love you for that, a true Gem

I only just watched this film the other week ... shows Donald pleasence at his best

My favourite Australian film

Best movie I've ever seen. I first saw it when I was 15 when it was first released in Melbourne.

@tonywalker7602

2 жыл бұрын

If you say so I would agree.

New to the Yabba? Have another drink!

Watched it last night at Nu Art. Great story about the film, it's history and how it got here. Wake In Fright is... well you just gotta see it. Too hard to describe here but it's a gem.

@newcheese8554

6 жыл бұрын

Well said

@TheMattTempest

4 жыл бұрын

Hard to describe, but if you had find a three-word tagline: "Sweat. Beer. Kangaroos."

@TheMattTempest

4 жыл бұрын

Or - "Set in Australia. But actually about men."

@trackdusty

4 жыл бұрын

It was a kind of autobiographical piece by the author, Ken Cook. Essentially a caricature of the life in the outback of a bonded young schoolteacher. Chips Rafferty played an excellent role as the "corrupt" country cop. If you want another good one have a look at Sunday Too Far Away - free on youtube - or was. I think people like Wake in Fright because it's actually an escape from today's fantasy-escapism (!!!). Sunday Too Far Away foots the same bill.

@Deliquescentinsight

2 жыл бұрын

True, it would take a graduate essay to cover it all, so detailed and hard edged. A classic.

Yes, he is RIGHt... thats the secret called the Test of an Art. Such a touching story but just like the circle of life... its the circle of a creation .... Thank you Film Courage for this Interview which gives a lot of emotional boost to me and all this artists who Create for Soul.... Love to you and your teams and their families..... ok i stop

Incredible film I'm 64 in 2022 saw this in my early teens everyone was wtf one of the best movies ever made it just scared the shit out of everyone like Heart Of Darkness with no river!🇦🇺 ie madness tacks its toll!

The story behind the movie is just as bonkers as the movie. At first after watching it I wasn’t sure if I liked it, I wasn’t sure if I should tell my mates to watch it. However since watching it I haven’t stopped thinking about it and have told my mates to watch it. I’ve watched it twice in the last week. ‘She’ll be right, drink your beer’.

It makes you wonder how many films didn't see the light of day and were destroyed for all time?

Aussies hated it because they couldn’t stand the dark side of their own reflection. It’s a bit exaggerated, but it’s essentially correct. Elements of Australia are really like that.

This and The night, The prowler

Interesting guy.

Wake in Fright or Outback is one of my favorite films. BTW Ted Kotcheff also directed Rambo: First Blood. Go figure!

@SY-ok2dq

Жыл бұрын

And Weekend at Bernie's!

When I first saw this film Fuck Me Drunk. That is what OZ is like have a beer mate let's get pissed and shoot rabbits in my case in a old Commer Van with a Holden 202 in it. We would spot light all night pissed in the 70's. The film was a classic well produced filmed and great cast and production Thank you. Cheers

@raycooper3269

Жыл бұрын

Fuck me drunk ? That's what this film is about. Get some dude drunk and fuck him ? What a deal!

So people were just too offended back in the day

Good Film "Wake In Fright " Australian cult classic

@kdohertygizbur

2 жыл бұрын

He was excellent in that movie. A really different role than what he was used to doing

People today love violent movies today compared to 1971. What's that tell us about society?

@donovanchilton5817

2 жыл бұрын

Nothing. We've always fetishized violence. We're just more upfront about it these days.

@reallynotyourbusiness1659

6 ай бұрын

Vietnam was on the news nightly back then....maybe rethink your comment.