Evil Angels (1988)

Director:

Fred Schepisi

Writers:

John Bryson (novel)
Robert Caswell (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

11 November 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

A family torn apart. A public filled with outrage. A woman accused of murder.

Plot:

The story of a mother whose child was killed in an animal attack, only to have herself accused of the infant's murder

Plot Keywords:

Pregnant Prisoner | Kidnapping | Parenthood | Docudrama | Police

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 8 wins & 9 nominations

Cast

Meryl Streep	...	Lindy Chamberlain
Sam Neill	...	Michael Chamberlain
Dale Reeves	...	Aidan, 6 years
David Hoflin	...	Aidan, 8 years
Jason Reason	...	Aidan, 11 years
Michael Wetter	...	Reagan, 4 years
Kane Barton	...	Reagan, 6 years
Trent Roberts	...	Reagan, 9 years
Lauren Shepherd	...	Azaria
Bethany Ann Prickett	...	Azaria
Alison O'Connell	...	Azaria
Aliza Dason	...	Azaria
Jane Coker	...	Kahlia, new born
Rae-Leigh Henson	...	Kahlia, 18 months
Nicolette Minster	...	Kahlia, 4 years

Also Known As:

A Cry in the Dark (International: English title) (USA)
Evil Angels (Australia) (working title)

Runtime:

120 min | 122 min (dvd release)

Country:

Australia | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-14 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:PG-13 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia

Company:

Cannon Entertainment

Trivia:

In 1986, Azaria's jacket was found in an area filled with dingo lairs. The case was reopened, and in 1988 the Criminal Appeals Court overturned all convictions against the parents. Two years later, the parents received compensation for wrongful imprisonment.

Quotes:

Lindy Chamberlain: Look, Mr. Barker. I wasn't there. I can only go on the evidence of my own eyes. We're talking about my baby daughter... not some object!

Movie Connections:

Featured in AFI Tribute to Meryl Streep (2004) (TV)

Meryl Streep at her best

I remember seeing this movie shown several years ago on the Lifetime TV network and thought it was an interesting story. Several years later I see it again and fall head over heels in love with this movie. The story behind the movie is fascinating in and of itself. The cast just makes it that much more appealing. Meryl Streep is definitely at the top of her game in this picture. She nails Mrs. Chamberlain's mannerisms, the accent, and even look. She shows the pain, hurt, surprise, and anger that Lindy had to endure, and in the process it's hard to remember that it ISN'T Lindy. In my opinion, this performance of Meryl's was better than her Oscar-winning turn in "Sophie's Choice", and should have garnered her her third Oscar. Sam Neill is perfect as Michael Chamberlain, and for some surprising reason, wasn't recognized by the Academy with at least a nomination. In all, this movie only receive ONE Oscar nod (Streep's for Best Actress.) However, it did receive several Australian Oscars and nominations.

Definitely a top-rate movie: it tells a great story and you get great performances from the entire cast.