A Cry in the Dark (1988)
"Evil Angels" (original title)

A mother, whose child was killed in a Dingo attack in outback Northern Territory, Australia, fights to prove her innocence.

Director:

Fred Schepisi

Writers:

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

Stars:

Meryl Streep, Sam Neill, Dale Reeves

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 8 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Based on the true story of Lindy Chamberlain. During a camping trip to Ayers Rock in outback Australia, she claimed that she witnessed a dingo stealing her baby daughter, Azaria, from the family tent. Azaria's body was never found. Police noted some apparent inconsistencies in her story, and she was charged with murder. The case attracted a lot of attention, turning an investigation into a media circus, with the public divided in their opinions.

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Plot Keywords:

dingo | australia | media | ayers rock | police | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Australia USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 November 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Cry in the Dark

Filming Locations:

Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$6,908,797 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cannon Entertainment, Golan-Globus Productions, Cinema Verity

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min 122 min (dvd release)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on the real-life incident that occurred near Ayers Rock, Central Australia, on the night of August 17, 1980, when Lindy Chamberlain cried, "the dingo's got my baby!", after she discovered that her nearly ten-week-old baby, Azaria, had been taken by a dingo from their tent.

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Quotes

Michael Chamberlain: No, you're right, it's exactly the same model as mine.
Les Smith: Have a look at what Webber found under the dash!

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Connections

Referenced in Verity Lambert: Drama Queen (2008)

User Reviews

A great trial film, stunning photography, and the one of the best Sam Neill films yet.

An unqualified "10." The level of writing and acting in this Australian movie is reminiscent of the very best of "old" Hollywood. Sam Neill and Meryl Streep are very good together. Neill matches Streep line for line, and take for take -- it is one of the best showcases yet of his prodigious acting talent and he is at his sexy and gorgeous best, notwithstanding the intensity of his role. This engrossing film is a treat for any movie fan who loves a gripping courtroom drama, portrayed in the most human but unsentimental terms. The movie -- which won several top awards in Australia -- boasts not only a superlative cast and director, but wonderful and authentic Australian locales. It proves that people are the same the world over. And, after all these years, people still delight in repeating the famous Streep line, accent and all: "A dingo ate moy baby!" Including that imp "Elaine Benis" on "Seinfeld."