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The Last Wave (1977)

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Average Rating: 7.4/10
Reviews Counted: 15
Fresh: 13 | Rotten: 2

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 1
Fresh: 0 | Rotten: 1

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Average Rating: 3.7/5
User Ratings: 2,989

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Movie Info

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

PG, 1 hr. 46 min.

Drama, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense

Directed By: Peter Weir

Written By: Tony Morphett, Petru Popescu

In Theaters: Dec 1, 1977 Wide

On DVD: Nov 13, 2001

Cowboy Pictures

Cast

Richard Chamberlain
David
Olivia Hamnett
Anne Burton
David Gulpilil
Chris Lee
Frederick Parslow
Rev. Burton
Nadjiwarra Amagula
Charlie
Walter Amagula
Gerry Lee
Roy Bara
Larry
Peter Carroll
Michael Zeadler
Athol Compton
Billy Corman
Hedley Cullen
Judge
Michael Duffield
Andrew Potter
Wallas Eaton
Morgue Doctor
Jo England
Babysitter
Vivean Gray
Dr. Whitburn
Cedric Lalara
Lindsey
Morris Lalara
Jacko
Tony Llewellyn-Jones.
Guest at party
Malcolm Robertson
Don Fishburn
Greg Rowe
Carl
John Meagher
Morgue Clerk
John Frawley
Policeman

Critic Reviews for The Last Wave

All Critics (19) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (15) | Rotten (2) | DVD (12)

Weir's touristy vision is strictly from the outside looking in.

November 27, 2001 Full Review Source: Village Voice

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Michael Atkinson

Village Voice

Top Critic

Its creepiness is undeniable, and it seems far less dated than many late 1970s films.

February 13, 2008 Full Review Source: Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

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Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Startling and mesmerizing Australian film about aborigines, nature and dreamtime.

September 1, 2002 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice

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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

There's plenty of floods, thunderheads, cars submerged in water and heavy downpours to get yourself all wet on.

July 16, 2002 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

a unique film that bears the uneven, yet genuine, traces of a deeply felt work not entirely settled

December 16, 2001 Comment

James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

Weir does a fine job of weaving real events with dream sequences, as well as capturing the aboriginal perspective.

November 30, 2001 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

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TV Guide's Movie Guide

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Audience Reviews for The Last Wave

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A haunting character study about a pragmatic man who slowly becomes a believer the hard way. Engulfed by visions that connect him with the mysteries of the aboriginals and an apocalyptic prophecy. Not as well known as 'Picnic at hanging rock' but certainly better.

December 19, 2011

Pierluigi Puccini

Super Reviewer

Eerie apocalyptic thriller based loosely on Aboriginal mythology and with a none too subtle commentary on man's treatment of the planet. Weir's best film besides Fearless (no not the Jet Li movie).

February 22, 2009