The Last Wave (1977)

A Sydney lawyer defends five Aborigines in a ritualized taboo murder and in the process learns disturbing things about himself.

Director:

Peter Weir

Writers:

Peter Weir (screenplay), Tony Morphett (screenplay),

Stars:

Richard Chamberlain, Olivia Hamnett, David Gulpilil

4 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Chamberlain	...	David Burton
Olivia Hamnett	...	Annie Burton
David Gulpilil	...	Chris Lee (as Gulpilil)
Frederick Parslow	...	Rev. Burton
Vivean Gray	...	Dr. Whitburn
Nandjiwarra Amagula	...	Charlie
Walter Amagula	...	Gerry Lee
Roy Bara	...	Larry
Cedrick Lalara	...	Lindsey
Morris Lalara	...	Jacko
Peter Carroll	...	Michael Zeadler
Athol Compton	...	Billy Corman
Hedley Cullen	...	Judge
Michael Duffield	...	Andrew Potter
Wallas Eaton	...	Morgue Doctor

Storyline

A Sydney lawyer has more to worry about than higher-than-average rainfall when he is called upon to defend five Aboriginals in court. Determined to break their silence and discover the truth behind the hidden society he suspects lives in his city, the Lawyer is drawn further, and more intimately, into a prophesy that threatens a new Armageddon, wherein all the continent shall drown.

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Plot Keywords:

lawyer | murder | aborigine | court | underwater scene | 

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Taglines:

From the makers of 'Picnic at Hanging Rock' comes another terrifying and disturbing story

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English Italian Aboriginal

Release Date:

January 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

Black Rain

Filming Locations:

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

AUD 810,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Australian Film Commission, The, Ayer Productions, Derek Power

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The main trailer for this movie was made by director Brian Trenchard-Smith who is credited on this film as a Promotional Consultant.

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Goofs

Change in speed of windshield wipers: This is because Richard Chamberlain's character has entered the Dreamtime. It is a Clue - not a Goof.

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Quotes

David Burton: What did I see?
Chris Lee: A dream.
David Burton: What are dreams?
Chris Lee: Dream like hearing ... seeing ... talking ... the way of knowing things.

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Connections

Referenced in Sneak Previews: Fade to Black/The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith/The Idolmaker/Every Man for Himself (1980)

User Reviews

Eerie thriller with unique Aussie slant.

Peter Weir's first international success, THE LAST WAVE is a mainly effective chiller with a fascinating back story based on Aboriginal myth. Richard Chamberlain gives a good performance as a defense lawyer whose life becomes increasingly unmoored from reality as he delves deeper into a murder case involving Aboriginal tribal rivalries. David Gulpilil plays one of the suspects, who does his best to guide Chamberlin thru the realm of 'Dreamtime', an alternate reality/timeline central to native Australian history and tribal custom. Heavy on atmosphere, deliberately ambiguous in plotting, the film builds to an unsettling finale which is somewhat diminished by poor effects, probably due to budgetary limitations. Nevertheless an intriguing film whose overall impression of mystery and dread lurking just below the surface of what we perceive as 'reality' will stay with you.