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 D Major KV. 576"
Written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by Jenõ Jandó

User Reviews

Lush Cinematography And Fine Performances

The Well Starring:Miranda Otto,Pamela Rabe,Paul Chubb&Frank Wilson Directed By:Samantha Lang

The Well is a moody,atmospheric,chilling and riveting drama from Australia.

The Well stars Miranda Otto and Pamela Rabe,Otto I have seen before in True Love And Chaos and Rabe is new to me.Miranda Otto is an exciting and energetic actress who in True Love And Chaos and this film has impressed with two excellent performances.

The story of The Well involves a young,energetic,fun and free spirited girl (Miranda Otto) who comes to work as a maid for an elder,crippled lady (Pamela Rabe) whose life is currently mundane and she is eager to have a close friend.The young maid's exuberance and energy is just what the elder lady needs and the young girl's colourful personality delights her and the two become close friends.The two friends

are all set to travel to Europe together when a freak incident prevents them from doing so.

The Well begins as an arty and melancholy character study which is low key and subtle and excellently done by the two actresses and the director.Later as the two characters are placed in a tenser situation it becomes a mix of a quiet character study and a chilling thriller.Though it becomes a thriller it still maintains it's subdued and artistic style made all the more effective by it's stunning and beautifully drab cinematography.

This is an excellent example of Independent film making as here we have a film which excels in all facets.The acting and characters are credible,interesting and well played.The film's visual style is distinctive and sets the tone brillantly.The Well's story is also orginal,riveting and suspenseful without sparing on character development.

The Australians have done it again with yet another meaningful movie with well developed charcaters,an original story,terrific acting and exciting and different visuals.The Well is one of my favourite films of 1997 and it further cements Australia as a force in low budget movies.

4/5