Dirkie (1969)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Jamie Uys

Writer:

Jamie Uys (writer)

Release Date:

27 August 1970 (Australia)

Genre:

Adventure

Tagline:

The most amazing adventure a boy ever lived through!

Plot:

After a plane crash a young boy and his dog wander through the Kalahari desert. |

Plot Keywords:

Dog | Kalahari | Young Boy | Desert | Bushman

Cast

Wynand Uys	...	Dirkie (as Dirkie Hayes)
Jamie Uys	...	Anton (as Jamie Hayes)
Lady Frolic of Belvedale	...	Lolly
Wilhelm Esterhuizen	...	Smitty
Sue Burman	...	Joan
Jan Bruijn	...	Colonel (as Jan Bruijns)
Pieter Hauptfleisch	...	Uncle Pete
Johan Du Plooy	...	John
Bill Brewer	...	Editor
Jacques Loots	...	Doctor (as Jaques Loots)
Heinrich Marnitz	...	Hoffman
Eugene Erasmus	...	Operator

Also Known As:

Adventure in the Red Desert (USA) (poster title)
Lost in the Desert (UK)

Country:

South Africa

Language:

Afrikaans | English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:G | USA:G | Sweden:11

Filming Locations:

Africa

Soundtrack:

Wait for Tomorrow

Dirkie Dirkie Dirkie!!!

When I think of the film 'Dirkie' aka 'Lost in the Desert', I am immediately filled with numerous emotions; from pity for the child, to gratitude for how the film educated me, to amazement at how so few people appear to have seen it, to anger at the fact that none of my three movie books (nor any others through which i have flicked) make any reference to it! 'Dirkie' should be compulsory viewing for all children, as I am certain that, for me anyway, my life was enriched through experiencing it (and I was only five years of age)! While 'Lost in the Desert' was a mere 'support' to the main feature 'The Flight of the Doves'- mum having brought myself and my sisters to see the latter in 1970- 'Dirkie' blew us away! This masterpiece (I exaggerate not) was clearly aimed at a young audience, but having recently acquired -and viewed- a DVD copy, I have once again confirmed after 36 years, that this movie is so much more. Many of you have listed some of the profound images which have remained with you over the years, and I fully concur, but for me, Dirkie has so many more attributes; like the clever direction, timing and script, in addition to a rich soundtrack (of which we are not always consciously aware). The juxtaposition of sophisticated Chopin and images of primitive, arid desert was a move taken by an inspired director, indeed, the entire movie is inspired, with each and every scene having meaning, relevance and the ability to stir a spectrum of emotions in those who have the privilege to experience (and the intelligence to understand) it. I will be eternally grateful to the director (and his son) for the enjoyment which their creation has given me for so many years. Apart from all of the other things which this film has done for me, it succeeded in stirring primal emotions in me (a little 5 year old boy at the time) and inspiring me to dream.