Wake In Fright Part 1

[wandererlain]

Strewth! Thanks for uploading, mate!

[georgiegirl976]

Bless you whoever posted this film on here.

Have been desperate to see this film since I was 12 (in 1971), seeing the trailer at our local fleapit, then it just vanished into thin air. And even now, it seems, I can't get hold of it! So thank you so so much. Are you related to that wonderful director of this film? And why was the title changed from Outback.

Bless you once again

[ilGrandeCornuto]

It is fortunate that negatives for this movie were ever found cause it is kind of unique. But I'm sure the version which was presented on TV in Australia had different dubbing in places e.g. when Janet Hyndes says "She's a shag this little bitch" in the new DVD, the TV version, the word slut was substituted for shag. Anyways this is only a minor niggle since having the new movie re-release is better than having nothing.

[MrGoblin60]

I saw a presentation of this movie a couple of years back in Cairns. The Producer, who now lives in Pt Douglas, addressed the audience and was available to take questions after the screening. Thinking that the clock without hands at the rail siding might have been some kind of poetic analogy to "the timelessness of the outback", I asked the producer whether this had any significance. "No" he said, " It was just a prop". Well,so much for my interpretation!

[idak12]

Drinking is still a major problem in Australia and now gambling has been included, I'm in my 40's and I also see a lot of young people smoking coz they think its cool. If we all drank less and gave up smoking and gambling ,australians would be a lot healthier and happier. I have worked with a lot of blokes that die before they retire because of the poor lifestyle.

[alaxyoung1]

I bet they dont show all of the roo shoot..The DVD is unedited..

and in NSW at least, during the 1970s, you could walk into any

police station with a foxes tale and they would give you $10- for it.....

THATS HOW BAD THE FOX SITUATION WAS

[alaxyoung1]

I bet they dont show all of the roo shoot..The DVD is unedited..

and in NSW at least, during the 1970s, you could walk into any

police station with a foxes tale and they would give you $10- for it.....

THATS HOW BAD THE FOX SITUATION WAS

[alaxyoung1]

I NOW OWN A COPY OF THIS TOTALLY REMASTERED AND IT IS AVAILABLE

ON DVD FROM ABC AUSTRALIA AND POSSIBLY ELSEWHERE

AS IT IS NOW THE ONLY FILM IN HISTORY TO BE SELECTED AT CANNES

IN 1971 AND THEN AGAIN IN 2009 AS A CLASSIC...

PS This is not a very shocking film, this is the way it really was in Outback Australia

in the 1960s and 70s.....Too much booze, two-up and nothin else to do but go shootin roo's...

I should know I've seen it....first hand...........I live there...

[alaxyoung1]

I NOW OWN A COPY OF THIS TOTALLY REMASTERED AND IT IS AVAILABLE

ON DVD FROM ABC AUSTRALIA AND POSSIBLY ELSEWHERE

AS IT IS NOW THE ONLY FILM IN HISTORY TO BE SELECTED AT CANNES

IN 1971 AND THEN AGAIN IN 2009 AS A CLASSIC...

[Shadakaa]

LOL, I have to analyse this for school. It`s such a disturbing, yet amazing movie. And I like in Australia. :'D

[theouncesmoker]

The concept of mateship is totally out of bounds as a subject for critique these days. Even the PM used the term in her speech in the US Congress, who bought it hook, line and sinker. That's the genius of this movie because it isn't scared to throw a bucket of shit at it. This is a nasty film that never allows pleasantries to get in the way of the awfulness of Yabba lifestyle. What a stand out of a movie.

[lew7273]

This film is dated but still unsurpassed as an attempt to peer into dark corners of the Australian psyche. Much of the politically correct garbage that's made today doesn't merit standing beside the high water mark of 1970's Australian cinema.

[stevecashcard]

have a drink ya bastard

[emncaity]

After exhausting every resource I know of (to rent or check out, not to buy), including national interlibrary loan, I am SO stoked to find this on YT. Thanks a million, OP.

[ancalites]

Classic Aussie cinema. Love the brutal realism of the film.

[MrGutley]

I saw the restored version recently on rerelease in the cinema at the Chauvel. This is easily the best Australian movie ever made, and it definitely benefits from the big screen. Unlike many old movies, the acting and direction is uniformly outstanding. It has barely dated despite being 40 years old. The quality of the cast is unbelievable - so many legends in one film. This masterpiece is the Australian Heart of Darkness, or perhaps Dante's Inferno, showing the outback as the Hell it really is.

[wobjob]

@MrGutley

What, you don't like the Yabba?

[Abu7929]

Thanks for the post bro

[cravenmoorrrrrrrrr]

I have the video introduced by bill collins from around 1980's, quite a moving and interesting pic, even the commercials from "John L motors" are fasinating, not to be watched on a hot day as the atmosphere just makes me feel sweaty,

[louisecp72]

Now we have the full DVD release on region 4 (hurrah). It is lovely to see the film here though. Great movie. And RIP Gary Bond xx

[emncaity]

OP, thanks a million for posting this. I've been looking for it in video stores for years, tried interlibrary loan a few times, nothing worked.

[cityrooster]

great movie made before I was heard of being 31,bought it the day it came out on nov 4 2009,they had only one dvd to order would you believe.

[Amateur2020]

The Aussie Blu-Ray edition is glorious!!!

[ohmygodfatherscat]

Thanks for posting! I am studying this at uni right now and couldn't get to the film screening, so you're a life saver! <3 x infinity!

[australiaforvisitors]

Thanks for posting this clip. I saw this movie back in the 1970s and am so glad to see it is now finally available again.

[refgies]

best movie ive seen in ages.. loved every minute

[maurice2002]

I've searched through the annals of history. I've lost time in the company of some of our finest orators. I've sat in awe of irrecourigable judges and irrepressiable thieves....

but it's all nothing, gone as if a hair taken by a howling bryon gale.

until slowly rising A jade-ladened jewel slowly pertrude, in the midst of out Simpson des.

as if a strong voice denoucing our ozcentric bullshit.

sharpened to this day by the fact that, up to this very moment it's a cycle stuck on repeat.

[Jeffrey751]

This movie is unmitigated filth,Pauline.There are people in this magnificent nation who fought in seven world wars and for what.The taxes of Australian families,should not finance trips to Cannes for the likes of Philip Adams.

[jayyouengee]

I thought there were only two World Wars, but then I'm not of this generation who cannot spell but the generation born after the 2nd World War!

[Jeffrey751]

Just because we have been marrying our cousins for six generations,doesn't mean we are as silly as the Adams family.

[roojoo]

My Dad's in this, as an extra .R.I.P.

[rleary1]

God Bless him. This is one of my all time favorite movies and it's cool that your father was in it. R.I.P.

[emncaity]

@roojoo

Hey, congrats...that's cool. RIP wishes here, too.

[circusactone]

Got this on DVD, re-mastered, the whole lot. Found it in store. Disturbing movie. Hunting scene is fucked.

[cityrooster]

I ordered a copy on dvd,its due for release on nov 4

[Pufdaddie]

the film was groundbreaking in attacking the 'occer' mentality; almost blasphemy in those days. It had to tread carefully but the production was magnificent.

[BEATNIKCASS]

if you can't laugh at y'self and join in puttin' y'self down you'll find outback aussie types will think you a mug----and try not to sleep in the house with big blokes you've just met who are drunk

[hooweelewis]

May you dream of the devil. . .and wake in fright. A masterpiece that was too confronting for aussie audiences on first release. Each character tries to 'help' in their own way but contribute to John's destruction. Read the book. Might be better received now as a remake. IMO Hugo Weaving would be as John Grant. suggestion: maybe substitute the roo shoot for a feral pig shoot. Many freaked out at the roo shoot, it was a bit over the top for some.

[Zenthik]

That it was over the top was the point.

[TalboLexx]

lol thats my mum at 1:52 ahahahaha

OMG

[86443]

thanks

I saw the review on "At The Movies with David and Margaret". I love them both, but I thought Margarets view on the male characters was a bit romanticised and naive.

[Steveguyatrocket]

this film explains, why I left Australia... ! "Mateship" is, just one more bit of bullshit in a world full of bullshit...

[em1508]

this was set in the seventies and hardley gives a acurate representation of australia at present, so it cannot explain at all why you left australia. Your probably a whinning pomie too!

[theillustriouszimzod]

Good comment! I live in aust. and i'm fed up with the cretins (like those in this movie) that infest the place. And no i'm not a pommie i was BORN here

[BEATNIKCASS]

yes illustrious, there are a lot of ratbags in aussie---but they're more dangerous in the uk and outback usa. and sth america

[tauto55]

breaking news

The Australian classic film Wake in Fright is enjoying a re-awakening after a chance discovery in the United States has led to its digital restoration and re-release. Wake in Fright was released in 1971 and is a brutal and confronting portrayal of Aussie mateship and the bush.

[Timboon64]

Yes the restored version will feature at a film festival here later in the year, anyone know when? Probably also limited release in independent cinemas. One of the best movies about Australia ever. Quite confronting. I wonder how a 2009 audience will view it.

[catandpiddle]

thanks so much for this. a real classic!

[Timboon64]

On the question of where this came from - note the poster's username is 'PKotcheff' and the director's name is Ted Kotcheff.

Case solved?

[jmoul59]

This is from a DVD issued by a Canadian film appreciation society operating out of a post office box in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. I have the same DVD which I finally obtained after waiting six months.

[stanjarin]

Amazing -- I've been looking for this for years. Thank you. And thank the great god YouTube. I echo an earlier question -- where did you find it?

[cityrooster]

have a beer mate,does anyone know if you can get this on dvd at the moment like ebay or anywhere,I would like a copy.All I have heard that they are trying to get it on dvd format.

[gerbydnb]

Shame this is the cut 97 min version.

I have the full uncut version and it is a very powerful film.

I'll never forget this amazing film!

[Hairybone9]

Thanksyou for the clips. I saw this movie on the television many many years ago and it was incredible. Thanks PalaceRoadshow for the extra information and I hope they release the film on DVD in the very near future !!

[Smegead]

I movie I would not ever see if not for you... thankyou!!! THIS is what youtube is all about.

[crazybo94]

may i ask how the hell you found this??

thanks for the upload, i do believe a few hundred thousand people owe you kudos ^_^

[jmoul59]

This is from a DVD issued by a Canadian film appreciation society operating out of a post office box in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. I have the same DVD which I finally obtained after waiting six months.

[HURLEYP]

This really shows up Baz whats-'is-name's "Australia" for the piece of trite, cliche-laden crap that it is.

[maxmillion99]

Fantastic -- never been able to see this classic Oz movie. Thank you for posting it in parts.

I also love that opening music, both the haunting theme heard in the first few minutes as well as the didge-underscored opening credits music.

[TheMemberForHiggins]

Er, WOW. I've been curious about this one for a long time. Also, I've gotta say that John Scott's (?) opening titles theme instantly strikes me as superb!

[fazehead]

Before Wolf Creek, there was Wake in Fright!!!

[PalaceRoadshow]

I forgot to mention that the retored print is the complete version, and not the crappy edited one that some places overseas got stuck with.

[PalaceRoadshow]

There were only a few prints of this film left in existence. But fortunately the old 35mm print held at the Australian National Screen and Sound Archive was digitally restored this year by Atlab. An Australian DVD release is planned, but there's some distribution rights bullshit going on at present.

People in Melbourne may be interested to know that the film is showing next Thursday (16 Oct) as part of the Underground film festival.

[58earthdog]

try video search of miami

[cityrooster]

have a beer mate!

[jmoul59]

Ya mad ya bastard!

[BEATNIKCASS]

jmoul, get a wombat upyer yer bludger!

[jlc137]

Thanks for posting this. This movie has been sadly neglected & needs to be restored & reissued but I understand that Film Australia is in battle with rights & it will be some time. We almost lost it forever as garbage but luckily it survived. Donald Pleasance is superb as is the rest of the cast.

[alaxyoung1]

@jlc137 I remember going half way to Broken Hill, Shooting, with my father when I was a lad.. Don't let this movie bullshit you.....Each town had two pubs, one for the Blacks and one for the Whites............And in one town we walked into the wrong one..... Nothing happened, we just left quickly and walked to the other across town...

[alaxyoung1]

@jlc137 No kangaroos are endangered in Australia, only a few species of wallabies, rock wallabies... Australia has a Kangaroo population in the multi-millions, which has been a food source for the Australian Aborigine for thousands of years....Kangaroo meat is an essential part of their outback culture.....

[CrawfordSteve]

A great book and a great film. Thanks for the opportunity to see the film again...it's been a while. Hopefully a distributor somewhere will put together a clean anamophic transfer with a good collection of extras and release a DVD. It's long overdue!

[MikeBMorbid]

Thankyou, Thankyou, perhaps the best movie which explodes the myth of mateship in Australia, the descent into abject savagery and the stripping away of layers of "civilisation" from one poor lost bastard. It's 32 years since I saw this movie and it shaped my perception of country Australia back then and sadly places like Tiboonda et al are still out there- richard

[andrewchapple]

I am so delighted to see this film on this site. I lived for a few months in Broken Hill a few years ago, actually in the Hospital which is shown at the end. The film was screaned in Broken Hill as part of a cultural festival and was the first time it was shown since it was filmed. During my stay in the hill I met many people that were involved in the making of the film but not many liked the end result. If you have a full copy I would love to have one. Andy- Ireland

[yakspit25]

@andrewchapple It has been re-issued. Should be available through Madman cinema (in Oz). Guess u could follow the trail from there for a local distributer. Good luck!

[Zibethicus]

Thank you very much for posting this. An excellent, excellent film (as reputed) and, still more rarely, a fairly faithful adaptation. One of Pleasance's best roles, too. Sad to think that such a good film was one print away from oblivion, while so much junk survives.