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

[June 2008] Ranked #9 on the American Film Institute's list of the 10 greatest films in the genre "Courtroom Drama".

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Quotes

Lindy Chamberlain: The dingo's got my baby!

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Connections

Version of Through My Eyes (2004)

User Reviews

Another example of Meryl Streep's enormous talent.

Meryl Streep is such a genius. Well, at least as an actress. I know she's been made fun of for doing a lot of roles with accents, but she nails the accent every time. Her performance as Lindy Chamberlain was inspiring. Mrs. Chamberlain, as portrayed here, was not particularly likable, nor all that smart. But that just makes Streep's work all the more remarkable. I think she is worth all 10 or so of her Oscar nominations. About the film, well, there were a couple of interesting things. I don't know much about Australia, but the theme of religious bigotry among the general public played a big part in the story. I had largely missed this when I first saw the film some years ago, but it came through loud and clear yesterday. And it seems the Australian press is just as accomplished at misery-inducing pursuit and overkill as their American colleagues. A pretty good film. A bit different. Grade: B