The Well (1997)

Young Katherine and her older friend Hester live at the isolated farm run by Hester and her father Francis. Katherine works as a maid and wants to leave that place because there's too much ... See full summary »

Director:

Samantha Lang

Writers:

Elizabeth Jolley (novel), Laura Jones

Stars:

Pamela Rabe, Miranda Otto, Paul Chubb

5 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Pamela Rabe	...	Hester
Miranda Otto	...	Katherine
Paul Chubb	...	Harry Bird
Frank Wilson	...	Francis Harper
Steve Jacobs	...	Rod Bordern
Geneviève Lemon	...	Jen Bordern
Simon Lyndon	...	Abel
Kati Edwards	...	Molly
Luke Harrison	...	Bordern Child
Daniel Harrison	...	Bordern Child
Jennifer Kent	...	Marg Trinder
Stephen Rae	...	Murray Trinder
Miles Shanahan	...	Bordern Child
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Paul Caesar	...	Jock
Molly Howe	...	Sarah-Jane

Storyline

Young Katherine and her older friend Hester live at the isolated farm run by Hester and her father Francis. Katherine works as a maid and wants to leave that place because there's too much work. Hester, however, gets attracted to Katherine and hold her there, promising to give her less work in the future. When old Francis dies, Hester decides to sell the farm for cash. They move to small cottage on the edge of the farm and plan to go to Europe for the money they got. But tragic accident and theft of their money change their plans.

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Plot Keywords:

farm | title directed by female | australia | independent film | based on novel

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Taglines:

Love. Death. Deception.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 July 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

El pozo

Filming Locations:

Cooma, New South Wales, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$3,400,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$3,093 (USA) (19 May 2000)

Gross:

$9,043 (USA) (25 August 2000)

Company Credits

Production Co:

New South Wales Film & Television Office, Southern Star Xanadu

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Piano Sonata In B Flat Major"
Written by Franz Schubert
Performed by Pamela Rabe

User Reviews

Elizabeth Jolly's dark side of the moon.

The peculiar relationship between Hester and Katherine takes a turn for the worse in the coastal outback of Australia. After a long build up the film slides into Elizabeth Jolly's wicked sense of humour, taking a dark look at friendship and trust with the playfulness of a psychological thriller with a touch of the horror elements thrown in just for measure. But by then the film ends, leaving you with a sour taste in your mouth. Mandy Walker's photography compliments the mood but maybe a little too heavy on the blue and grey filters.