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This old forgotten Ted Kotcheff (First Blood, North Dallas 40) film has been given a limited cinema re-release in the UK this past week, being labelled a 'lost Aussie cult classic' and described as a 'Deliverance in the Outback expressionistic nightmare' by the Metro newspaper. It sounds like an interesting thriller (a young English teacher goes beer-fuelled bonkers in a strange town, while on the way to Sydney to see his girlfriend). The biggest surprise is that Oliver Reed didn't bag the main role!
John Scott (who worked with Kotcheff a few times altogether) included 8 minutes of the score on his JS Conducts compilation. The last track of the suite (End Titles) is a quirky/bouncy Antipodean-like melody that stands out more than the darker material of the suite.
Anyone seen the film?
Thoughts on the score?
It's on my list of Hidden Gems (#50):
http://thecinemacafe.com/the-cinema-treasure-hunter?category=Hidden%20Gems
It's a stunning work. Should make quite an impression for those who like both the horror genre and dark character studies. The movie is so full on, I'm a little ashamed to say I didn't notice Mr. Scott's score and I typically love his work. B.t.w. Donald Pleasance subs for Reed just fine.
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I mentioned this score a long time ago in another thread. I really liked the suite that's on the John Scott Conducts album, although some of it might be a little more 'avante-garde' than we are used to hearing from him.
The CTI artist/saxophonist Joe Farrell recorded a version of Outback on an album of the same title; it's rather nice.
No idea about the rest of the score or how much of it there is: I've never seen the film.
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Good film, though the kangaroo hunt was a bit harsh, i also bought the novel which is very similar but with a couple of changes. I think i preferred the film. I really enjoyed the claustrophobic atmosphere and grime and sweat of it.
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Posted: |
Oct 26, 2016 - 12:09 AM
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By: |
ijwilson
(Member)
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This is a great film, and it is an excellent book too! Aussies have a strange relationship with this film; I've heard that when it came out, people didn't like it, because it reflected badly on the country, which I can understand.
But after hearing older friends talk about it for years, while it was out-of-print and circulation, I finally saw it a few years back, and was amazed by it.
It's definitely dark, but it captures an aspect of Australian society, that hard drinking culture, that has existed with us for a long time.
It also has some special veteran Australian actors in it like Chips Rafferty, who has always played the real dyed-in-the-wool, friendly knock-about larrikin Aussie. But his casting in this was fantastic as the local police officer at the two-up; he completely captures the sinister authority figure, who knows the score, but is only willing to go so far with his help.
I am sort of hoping that it becomes more of a prized film in Australia, as it was our National Film and Sound Archive that helped to restore and re-release it.
But in order for that to happen, more people need to see it!
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Posted: |
Sep 28, 2019 - 4:10 AM
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By: |
Graham Watt
(Member)
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I caught this on "our" TCM last night. Missed the first five minutes, had no intention of watching it, and didn't even know what it was anyway. But I was hooked. What a great, uncomfortable but sometimes wryly funny film. It's really unique, Donald Pleasence (AKA The Plezz) was as splendid as ever, and it's just a tremendous experience. Rough-hewn for sure, just like all those outbackers. The amount of beer downed in this film must have broken some kind of record. But if I want to talk about the film, I should go to the other side of the board. And I want to talk about the music.
When I first heard that recurring "woo-ooo" theme, I thought of spooky old Brit TV shows such as "Out of the Unknown", but also some jaunty Eurotrash scores from the '70s. The name "OnyaBirri" somehow came to mind too, maybe because I thought he might like this. But this ain't no Italian Riviera setting, mate, and none of your spooky Brit TV either. This is Down Under, and a less appealing depiction of your dream holiday in Bungayabba is hard to imagine. So I was thinking of Australian composers such as Peter Best. No mention in the End Credits (and, as I said, I'd missed the start).
So there I wakes in fright this morning, with a raging hangover, no trousers on, and Donald Pleasence lying still pished beside me. Nooooo! But I washed myself and checked "The Computer" to see who did the music. Why if it wasn't our old spooky charming Brit pal John Scott! Then I came here and found this thread! And the rest is history! Oh, I see that in the previous post - from years ago - Stu Who says he did a version of this. Would be interesting to hear. Not sure a full soundtrack would be satisfactory. It's a "bitty" score. Haven't had time to check the Tube or nowt yet.
Oh, according to the imdb, Rolf Harris was Music Supervisor on this. When I found that out, you could have tied my kangaroo down, sport. It was like a kick in the wobble board.
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