The Year of Living Dangerously (1982)

A young Australian reporter tries to navigate the political turmoil of Indonesia during the rule of President Sukarno with the help of a diminutive photographer.

Director:

Peter Weir

Writers:

C.J. Koch (novel), C.J. Koch (screenplay),

Stars:

Mel Gibson, Sigourney Weaver, Linda Hunt

Won 1 Oscar. Another 7 wins & 15 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mel Gibson	...	Guy Hamilton
Sigourney Weaver	...	Jill Bryant
Linda Hunt	...	Billy Kwan
Michael Murphy	...	Pete Curtis
Bill Kerr	...	Colonel Henderson
Noel Ferrier	...	Wally O'Sullivan
Bembol Roco	...	Kumar
Paul Sonkkila	...	Kevin Condon
Ali Nur	...	Ali
Dominador Robridillo	...	Betjak Man
Joel Agona	...	Palace Guard
Mike Emperio	...	Sukarno
Bernardo Nacilla	...	Dwarf
Domingo Landicho	...	Hortono
Hermino De Guzman	...	Immigration Officer

Storyline

Guy Hamilton is a journalist on his first job as a foreign correspondent. His apparently humdrum assignment to Indonesia soon turns hot as President Sukarno electrifies the populace and frightens foreign powers. Guy soon is the hottest reporter on the story with the help of his photographer, half- Chinese dwarf Billy Kwan, who has gone native. Guy's affair with diplomat Jill Bryant also helps. Eventually Guy must face some major moral choices and the relationship between Billy and him reaches a crisis at the same time the politics of Indonesia does.

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Plot Keywords:

photographer | president | diplomat | foreign correspondent | corpse with eyes open | 

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Taglines:

Mel Gibson . . . Living Dangerously

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | War

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

Australia USA

Language:

English Tagalog Filipino Indonesian

Release Date:

21 January 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

El año que vivimos en peligro

Filming Locations:

Artransa Park Film Studios, Mobbs Lane, Epping, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$13,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

McElroy & McElroy, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Filming in Manila was halted after three weeks due to death threats to the production. Reportedly, these were directed to both actor Mel Gibson and director Peter Weir. The threats alleged that the film being made was intended to be anti-Islam. For the protection and safety of the cast and crew, the whole production moved to Sydney to complete principal photography. The move was costly and put a huge strain on the picture's art department.

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Goofs

In the sudden storm scene, when Guy and Jillian get into his car to get out of the rain. In the close reverse shot of Guy, water is clearly leaking heavily into the car through a crack in the door or window. But in the shot from behind the front seat of both the characters, there is no leak.

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Quotes

Billy Kwan: Most of us become children again when we enter the slums of Asia. And last night I watched you walk back into childhood. With all its opposite intensities: laughter and misery, the crazy and the grim, toy town and a city of fear.

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theatre 3000: Teenagers from Outer Space (1992)

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Soundtracks

"Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin On"
By Curly Williams (uncredited) and Sunny David (uncredited)
Performed by Jerry Lee Lewis
Courtesy of Sun International Corporation

User Reviews

One of the Great Atmosphere Films

Ever since I first saw this film, it has been one of my favorite. The performances are not perfect, but the chemistry between the main characters is electric. The semi-fictitious plot (it is said to be somewhat based on a period of the life of reporter Peter Arnet) melds so nicely with the historical events of 1960's Indonesia. Linda Hunt well deserved the Academy Award, but I felt that it should have also been nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay, Director, Film, and Cinematography. The story follows the novel of which it was based better than 95% of the time. The Atmosphere of the film always leaves me awe-struck. By the end I feel like I have lived Guy's life. It is a romantic film with a small dose of action that both men and women should enjoy.