Walkabout

The movie is a haunting commentary on how disconnected from the world about us we’ve become in our modern lives. Sweet innocence and beauty await those who avail themselves of that world, something so easily lost if we rejoin the humdrum sterility of world lived in flats, driving autos, and working pointless office jobs. I’ve watched this movie perhaps a dozen times since I was a kid, when I was first yanked from my books and classroom to muse the deep wonder of the world beyond. Actors Jenny Agutter, Luc Roeg, and David Gulpilil do a simply terrific job pulling us into this story, this wonderful allegory about this culture — ours —that disconnects us from ourselves and living the life authentic.

I wish Itunes would dig out original reviews from the release date. Walkabout is a movie of its time, as psychedelic as it is philosophical, beautifully shot even if some of its then innovative shooting style has since become dated. Some of the underlying sexuality may make some uncomfortable, but it is primal and honest, not exploitative. The movie's exploration of man;s natural state vs civilization still resonates today. Watch it.

Nicolas Roeg is a brilliant filmmaker but I am not sure what he is trying to accomplish here? Borderline kiddie porn or a nature film. The story is not very well developed, if you can say there is a story at all. These two bratty kids (one can only hope the girl is supposed to be over 18, I know Jenny Agutter was when this was filmed) get ditched by their psycho and suicidal Dad in the middle of nowhere (aka the Outback) and seem unaffected by their plight. What pushed Dad over the edge? If he was on the verge of suicide (not to mention willing to take potshots at his kids) why would his wife (if there was one) let him take these kids? Roeg does not fill in any pertinent details. The kids encounter an aborigine fellow on "walkabout" who takes care of them, and ultimately falls for Agutter, meanwhile there is footage of him killing every single type of animal in existence. Tons of footage. Once would have been enough, I get it, where was PETA in 1971. Besides, he doesn't look like much of a cook. To make things more confusing, Roeg introduces all of these characters, who while unsavory, could be viewed as possible saviors of the kids but nothing happens with them. Remove all of the nature shots of birds and insects, the Aboriginal guy killing things and the time spent introducing needless characters and you have a 15 minute movie about 2 kids lost in the desert. I'll take lord of the flies any day over this. Even the version made in the 90's. Save your $3.99

Cool movie, Jenny Agutter looked mighty sweet in 1971,