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Movies / On DVD / Rabbit-Proof Fence
Rabbit-Proof Fence

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Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002)

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Reviews Counted:133

Fresh:116

Rotten:17

Average Rating:7.6/10

Consensus: Visually beautiful and well-acted, Rabbit-Proof Fence tells a compelling true-life story.

Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for emotional thematic material

Runtime: 1 hr 33 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Nov 29, 2002 Limited

Box Office: $6,031,193

Synopsis: Set in Australia in 1931, RABBIT-PROOF FENCE tells the story of a government policy that required "half-caste" children (whose mothers were Aboriginal and whose fathers were white) to be taken from... Set in Australia in 1931, RABBIT-PROOF FENCE tells the story of a government policy that required "half-caste" children (whose mothers were Aboriginal and whose fathers were white) to be taken from their homes by the authorities to be trained to work as servants. Based on the true story of Molly Craig, Philip Noyce's film of small gestures and few words follows the odyssey of three young girls who escaped from the government's training facility and, using the country's long stretches of rabbit-proof fences as their guide, walked 1500 miles to get back home. Told squarely from Molly's point of view, RABBIT-PROOF FENCE also highlights the Australian government's treatment of Aboriginies by A.O. Neville (Kenneth Branagh), the legal guardian of the country's indigenous people. His plan to "breed out" the Aboriginal blood of the half-castes is marked by a cool calculation and moral blindness that stands out in sharp contrast to Molly's spiritual and intuitive relationship to the people and places she encounters on her journey. [More]

Starring: Ningali Lawford, David Gulpilil, Jason Clarke, Deborah Mailman

Starring: Ningali Lawford, David Gulpilil, Jason Clarke, Deborah Mailman, Kenneth Branagh

Director: Phillip Noyce

Director: Phillip Noyce
Screenwriter: Christine Olsen
Producer: Phillip Noyce, Christine Olsen, John Winter
Composer: Peter Gabriel
Studio: Miramax Films

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Release:

Apr 15, 2003

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Rabbit-Proof Fence
  • RABBIT-PROOF Fence -- featuring the Golden Globe-nominated score by Peter Gabriel -? is a powerful true story of hope and survival and has been met with international acclaim! At a time when it was Australian government policy to train aboriginal children as domestic workers and integrate them into white society, young Molly Craig decides to lead her little sister and cousin in a daring escape from their internment camp. Molly and the girls, part of what would become known as Australia's "Stolen Generations," must then elude the authorities on a dangerous 1,500-mile adventure along the rabbit-proof fence that bisects the continent and will lead them home. As shown by this outstanding motion picture, their universally touching plight and unparalleled courage are a beautiful testament to the undying strength of the human spirit!
  • Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for Rabbit-Proof Fence

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    1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z)
    Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
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    It makes for one haunting, powerful movie experience.

    Full Review Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel | comment Comment
    12/25/02
    Todd Anthony
    Todd Anthony
    South Florida Sun-Sentinel

    A dusty, calloused, primal Odyssey, as forceful and single-minded as a bullet train.

    Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
    11/26/02
    Michael Atkinson
    Michael Atkinson
    Village Voice
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Noyce utilizes simple, stylish camerawork and spare dialogue to delivery pregnantly poignant anguish.

    Full Review Source: Palo Alto Weekly | comment Comment
    12/22/02
    Jeanne Aufmuth
    Jeanne Aufmuth
    Palo Alto Weekly

    'Noyce logra su mejor trabajo hasta la fecha, demostrando que lo único que se necesita es la sensibilidad para contar una historia conmovedora y profundamente humana'

    Full Review Source: Moviola | comment Comment
    10/02/03
    Jorge Avila Andrade
    Jorge Avila Andrade
    Moviola

    The final shot in the film is one that you won't soon forget.

    Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee | comment Comment
    01/03/03
    Joe Baltake
    Joe Baltake
    Sacramento Bee

    A tedious, labored affair that's only not boring when it's laughably over the top.

    Full Review Source: Las Vegas Weekly | comment 1 Comment
    09/06/03
    Josh Bell
    Josh Bell
    Las Vegas Weekly

    Perhaps the major reason for its emotional wallop is how Noyce gets a remarkable performance out of his three little road warriors, untrained actors all, whose eyes alone carry enough sadness and determination to break a million hearts.

    Full Review Source: Spectrum (St. George, Utah) | comment Comment
    05/07/03
    Bruce Bennett
    Bruce Bennett
    Spectrum (St. George, Utah)

    One of 2002's most memorable imports.

    Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
    12/26/02
    James Berardinelli
    James Berardinelli
    ReelViews
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    The unparalleled story, the enveloping sense of place and the three captivating, completely natural performances from the little girls overpower the movie's weaknesses.

    Full Review Source: SPLICEDWire | comment Comment
    11/28/02
    Rob Blackwelder
    Rob Blackwelder
    SPLICEDWire

    [Director Phillip] Noyce shows their awful, eventually uplifting journey without flinching, and the arid Australian wilderness is a co-star of the film.

    Full Review Source: Denver Post | comment Comment
    02/08/08
    Michael Booth
    Michael Booth
    Denver Post
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Noyce trusts the power of the story to move us. He knows that, like the girls themselves, we'll find our way along Rabbit-Proof Fence.

    Full Review Source: Orlando Sentinel | comment Comment
    01/23/03
    Jay Boyar
    Jay Boyar
    Orlando Sentinel

    Despite the grand drama inherent in its narrative, the film pulls back from investing much energy into imparting upon us the gravity of what we are watching.

    Full Review Source: Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Canada) | comment Comment
    01/19/03
    Josef Braun
    Josef Braun
    Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Canada)

    There is value in bringing this dark passage in Australia's history to light.

    Full Review Source: Cinema Signals | comment Comment
    12/03/03
    Jules Brenner
    Jules Brenner
    Cinema Signals

    This isn't exactly an uplifting tale of the indomitability of the human spirit; rather, there are many heartbreaking moments, and the coda delivers an additional wallop.

    Full Review Source: Creative Loafing | comment Comment
    02/26/03
    Matt Brunson
    Matt Brunson
    Creative Loafing

    A wonderful spiritual adventure story about the arduous trek of three Aboriginal girls in Australia, this is one of the best films of the year!

    Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
    11/28/02
    Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
    Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
    Spirituality and Practice

    A haunting and heartbreaking minimalist tale.

    Full Review Source: Kansas City Star | comment Comment
    12/25/02
    Robert W. Butler
    Robert W. Butler
    Kansas City Star

    A movie that will grab your attention immediately for Peter Gabriel's redolent score.

    Full Review Source: Film Freak Central | comment Comment
    09/08/02
    Bill Chambers
    Bill Chambers
    Film Freak Central

    A very small story set on a very large stage.

    Full Review Source: Film Freak Central | comment Comment
    11/27/02
    Walter Chaw
    Walter Chaw
    Film Freak Central

    A journey representing a people's unbreakable spirit.

    Full Review Source: Window to the Movies | comment Comment
    12/08/02
    Jeffrey Chen
    Jeffrey Chen
    Window to the Movies

    Never stirs the soul as much as it might.

    Full Review Source: USA Today | comment Comment
    11/29/02
    Mike Clark
    Mike Clark
    USA Today
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
     
     
    1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z)
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    Latest News for Rabbit-Proof Fence

    April 29, 2008: Philip Noyce Learning The Art of Making Money Opens in new window
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