Walkabout [1971] [DVD]

Jenny Agutter and Lucien John are the two children stranded in the Australian outback who cross paths with David Gulpilil, an Aborigine boy on “walkabout”, a ritual in which he learns to live off the land. The film provides an exchange of cultures as the native shows the city children how to live off the land as director Nicolas Roeg displayed his former skills as a cameraman by finely detailing the trio’s surroundings with superb scenic shots and wildlife close-ups. John Barry’s contrasting music styles further adds to the atmosphere in a tale that needs little dialogue.A longtime favourite, its striking imagery remaining in my mind since I first saw “Walkabout” when theatrically released in 1971. Now given a 4K restoration, it comes in a magnificent limited edition presentation that, when finishing viewing the film and its informative Special Features, it then provides plenty of reading material with three books (the original novel, draft script and essays with photo images) all packaged together in a solid slipcase. Truly, one of a kind!

The various books, scripts, etc. of the "Limited Edition" are neither here nor there. The quality of the film is superb - which is what the typical Roeg visuals deserve. What really makes it is the Blu-ray extras. The new Jenny Agutter interview is worth the cost alone - she is just so delightful. Slightly worrying that she was 14 when cast for the film and 16 when it was shot? There are a range of other interviews that are so informative. I've had many versions of this film but I don't begrudge paying for this new one in the slightest. Superb.

One of the worst films ever in my opinion. Story line which is hard to take (two children in school uniform in Australian outback - really?). Very slow. Only reason I stuck with it for an hour was because with this Coronovirus lockdown, there isn't a lot else to do. Avoid

Walkabout is an unusual film in that it has both an intriguing story, thought provoking and good wide-angle shots of the outback flora, fauna and landscape . A little dated in that the I hope things have now improved between the indigenous Australian people (aborigines) and the 'recent' white visitors. Films of this nature and time period (mid-late 20th century) do remind the viewer of the ingrained fear and prodigiousness of the recent past . This mistrust surfaces when the aborigine boy meets the two abandoned children (abandoned by there father - reasons unknown) and no-doubt saving ultimately their lives by providing food and water (both physically and by training the two to find food and water for themselves) in addition to leading them to safety. The fear/mistrust surfaces on multiple occasions throughout the film. Some of these reasons for mistrust are explained and some unexplained. Whilst on other occasions this mistrust appears to be (on the surface) non-existent as the language barrier/communication improves after the passage of time. This distrust is predominantly between the aborigine (currently on the male-right of passage trek in the wilderness ) and the girl, with the younger boy just being interested and friendly. In fact acting as the bridge in communication on multiple occasions. This film also leaves the viewer with some unknowns, specifically in what happens off camera (if anything) between the older two members of the trio (Aborigine and the Girl). Is there some attraction/ perhaps general curiosity between the two sexes/ teenagers? with the added complication of the two individuals coming from two separated worlds/ limited communication and unusual stressful scenario. The actual level of any such attraction / interpretation and how far it actually goes, could be affected by the personal viewers experience of films of this type-which the film carefully 'plays to' and allows the viewer to decide. No black or white answers given just occasional suggestions. The film jumps from moments of joy, happiness to the harsh realties of culture clash and surviving in a hostile environment. Also eluded too, is the difference between the aborigine way of life (working with the environment - only taking what you need to survive) and the 'white-mans' view (stereotypical I know) of exploiting nature.One key question that was left unanswered (no visual clue) was why/and indeed how the aborigine ends his life. Was it self-inflicted or did something else/someone else cause his death. Films (ones that do not initially provide all of the answers) always intrigue me and deserve multiple viewings ( at least 6 months apart) to see if you (the viewer) have missed any subtle clues.No sequel (just some additional footage at the end - personal memory? of Marys at the end). So any answers need to be provide from your own imagination. I have watched the film three times and I personally do not have the definitive answers. My rent the book from the library or download a kindle copy but I am currently unsure of which book/version to read, as there appears to be published books ,multiple titles of the same story with slightly different scenarios i.e. the two children are plane crash survivors (walkabout - James Vance Marshall). I still do not know which came first the film of the book I suspect the book. I need to locate the original publication.

The story is said to be about two youngsters lost in the Australian outback who meet up with an Aborigine man and from there I failed to see what all the fuss was about. Jenny Agutter gave numerous endless interviews about the movie and about her nude swimming scene. There was also a short scene where Ms Agutter and the young boy of eight or nine who played her brother, were seen both stark naked sitting around. I had no objection to that scene nor to her earlier nude swimming scenes but there was no real need for either of these exposures. In all I was very disappointed with this movie indeed.

Walkabout is a test of survival and independence of a pubescent Aborigine. Added to it two children of a suicidal geologist caught with sparse collateral in the Outback and myth, modernity and the romantic hit the narrative with sharp contrasts and painful, historic truth. The cinematography is brilliant. The natural setting thoroughly vibrant. Reptiles and butchered kangaroos appear too. Made in 1971 it is a huge film of immense mesmerising quality.

A bold experiment in film making, captures the feeling of the outback, great performance from Jenny, and the other two. Very atmospheric music by John Barry. The only downside is the lack of explanation of the whys and wherefores in the story. It comes over a bit like a book where some of the pages have gone missing. Most will watch this for the nude swimming scenes, (which are beautifully shot), rather than the story as such.