The Last Wave (1977)
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87% of critics liked it
(15 reviews) -
78% of users liked it
(3,177 ratings)
Peter Weir follows up on his critically acclaimed masterpiece Picnic at Hanging Rock with this surrealist psychological drama. The film opens with a freak hailstorm in Australia's outback. Cut to David Burton (Richard Chamberlain), a well-to-do Sydney corporate lawyer plagued by visions of… More Peter Weir follows up on his critically acclaimed masterpiece Picnic at Hanging Rock with this surrealist psychological drama. The film opens with a freak hailstorm in Australia's outback. Cut to David Burton (Richard Chamberlain), a well-to-do Sydney corporate lawyer plagued by visions of impending doom who is assigned to defend five accused of murdering a fellow Aborigine. The case itself proves to be mysterious -- no exact cause of death can be determined by the pathologist, and the accused remain strangely tight-lipped about the whole affair. As his visions grow increasingly weird and intense, Burton sees in his dream one of the five Aborigines, Chris (David Gulpili of Walkabout fame), who is drenched and clutching a sacred rock. Burton's interest in the case slides into complete obsession, and he comes to believe that not only was the murder related to an underground urban tribe of Aborigines but that Australia is about to be decimated by a massive, apocalyptic tidal wave. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi
- Directed By
- Peter Weir
- Written By
- Tony Morphett, Petru Popescu
- Genres
- Drama, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense
PG,
- In Theaters
- Dec 1, 1977 Wide
- Studio
- Cowboy Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Michael Atkinson, Village Voice
Weir's touristy vision is strictly from the outside looking in.
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Its creepiness is undeniable, and it seems far less dated than many late 1970s films.
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Startling and mesmerizing Australian film about aborigines, nature and dreamtime.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
There's plenty of floods, thunderheads, cars submerged in water and heavy downpours to get yourself all wet on.
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James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
a unique film that bears the uneven, yet genuine, traces of a deeply felt work not entirely settled
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Cast
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Richard Chamberlain
as David
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Olivia Hamnett
as Anne Burton
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David Gulpilil
as Chris Lee
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Frederick Parslow
as Rev. Burton
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Nadjiwarra Amagula
as Charlie
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Walter Amagula
as Gerry Lee
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Roy Bara
as Larry
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Peter Carroll
as Michael Zeadler
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Athol Compton
as Billy Corman
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Hedley Cullen
as Judge
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Michael Duffield
as Andrew Potter
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Wallas Eaton
as Morgue Doctor
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Jo England
as Babysitter
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Vivean Gray
as Dr. Whitburn
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Cedric Lalara
as Lindsey
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Morris Lalara
as Jacko
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Tony Llewellyn-Jones.
as Guest at party
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Malcolm Robertson
as Don Fishburn
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Greg Rowe
as Carl
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John Meagher
as Morgue Clerk
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John Frawley
as Policeman
