Where the Green Ants Dream (Wo die Grünen Ameisen Träumen) (1985)

TOMATOMETER

80%

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Critic Consensus: No consensus yet.

AUDIENCE SCORE

60%

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Movie Info

In a slightly padded but well-acted and relevant drama, an Australian mining company and a group of aboriginals go to court to settle a dispute over sacred land that the company wants to mine. When the Ayers Mining Company sets out to begin construction of its mine with bulldozers and earth-movers, the Aboriginals physically block the work because the site is exactly where the green ants will gather to dream (a 40,000-year-old legend) and it cannot be disturbed. The company tries the usual means of getting their way -- through bribes and arguments -- but nothing budges the men who came to defend the land. Once in court, it is quickly apparent that tribal laws and customs and beliefs are very different than Western laws -- and how the issue will be resolved is sticky indeed. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

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Cast

Bruce Spence
as Lance Hackett
Wandjuk Marika
as Miliritbi
Roy Marika
as Dayipu
Ray Barrett
as Cole
Norman Kaye
as Baldwin Ferguson
Robert Brissenden
as Prof. Stanner
Christopher Cain
Tim Cartwright
as RAAF Pilot
Anastasios Chatzidimpas
as Cook
Maria Chatzidimpas
as Mongoloid Girl
Paul Cox
as Mining Photographer
Paul Donazzan
as RAAF Pilot
Max Fairchild
as Police Officer
Michael Glynn
as Pilot
Susan Greaves
as Secretary
Noel Lyon
as Bailiff
Andrew Mack
as Protocol Officer
Michael Mandalis
as Mandalis
Dhungula I Marika
as Malila "the Mute"
Trevor Orford
as Worker
Phillip Radke
as Chauffeur
Ricky Ronnie
as Strange Aborigine
Maria Stratford
as Peevish Woman
Marraru Wunungmurra
as Daisy Barunga
Ralph Cotterill
as Fletcher
Basil Clarke
as Judge Blackburn
Ray Marshall
as Solicitor General Coulthard
Gary Williams
as Watson
Tony Llewellyn-Jones
as Fitzsimmons
Michael Edols
as Young attorney
Bob Ellis
as Supermarket manager
Hugh Keays-Byrne
as Mining executive
James Ricketson
as Philip Adams the Mining Leader
Colleen Clifford
as Miss Strehlow
Nick Lathouris
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Critic Reviews for Where the Green Ants Dream (Wo die Grünen Ameisen Träumen)

All Critics (5) | Top Critics (3)

As a conventional narrative, it's extremely simple and fairly slapdash, but it's never simple-minded, being too full of moments of inspired craziness and wisdom.

Aug 30, 2004 | Rating: 3/5
New York Times
Top Critic

Made in Australia, this effort is a slight, by-the-numbers rehash of Herzog's increasingly offensive noble savage theme.

Jan 1, 2000 | Full Review…
Chicago Reader
Top Critic

The director's eye shifts from the indigenous totem poles being celebrated to the less waxen eccentrics swarming in the sidelines

Sep 25, 2009 | Full Review…
CinePassion
View All Critic Reviews (5)

Audience Reviews for Where the Green Ants Dream (Wo die Grünen Ameisen Träumen)

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