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The Last Wave

  • 19771977
  • PGPG
  • 1h 46m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
9.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Richard Chamberlain in The Last Wave (1977)
A Sydney lawyer defends five Aboriginal Persons in a ritualized taboo murder and in the process learns disturbing things about himself and premonitions.
Play trailer2:39
1 Video
86 Photos
DramaFantasyMystery

A Sydney lawyer defends five Aboriginal Persons in a ritualized taboo murder and in the process learns disturbing things about himself and premonitions.A Sydney lawyer defends five Aboriginal Persons in a ritualized taboo murder and in the process learns disturbing things about himself and premonitions.A Sydney lawyer defends five Aboriginal Persons in a ritualized taboo murder and in the process learns disturbing things about himself and premonitions.

IMDb RATING
7.0/10
9.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Peter Weir
  • Writers
    • Peter Weir(screenplay)
    • Tony Morphett(screenplay)
    • Petru Popescu(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Richard Chamberlain
    • Olivia Hamnett
    • David Gulpilil
Top credits
  • Director
    • Peter Weir
  • Writers
    • Peter Weir(screenplay)
    • Tony Morphett(screenplay)
    • Petru Popescu(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Richard Chamberlain
    • Olivia Hamnett
    • David Gulpilil
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 62User reviews
    • 68Critic reviews
    • 85Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 8 nominations

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:39
    Trailer

    Photos86

    Richard Chamberlain in The Last Wave (1977)
    The Last Wave (1977)
    Richard Chamberlain in The Last Wave (1977)
    The Last Wave (1977)
    Richard Chamberlain in The Last Wave (1977)
    Richard Chamberlain and David Gulpilil in The Last Wave (1977)
    The Last Wave (1977)
    The Last Wave (1977)
    The Last Wave (1977)
    Nandjiwarra Amagula and Olivia Hamnett in The Last Wave (1977)
    The Last Wave (1977)
    The Last Wave (1977)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Richard Chamberlain
    Richard Chamberlain
    • David Burtonas David Burton
    Olivia Hamnett
    • Annie Burtonas Annie Burton
    David Gulpilil
    David Gulpilil
    • Chris Leeas Chris Lee
    Frederick Parslow
    • Rev. Burtonas Rev. Burton
    Vivean Gray
    • Dr. Whitburnas Dr. Whitburn
    Nandjiwarra Amagula
    • Charlieas Charlie
    Walter Amagula
    • Gerry Leeas Gerry Lee
    Roy Bara
    • Larryas Larry
    Cedrick Lalara
    • Lindseyas Lindsey
    Morris Lalara
    • Jackoas Jacko
    Peter Carroll
    Peter Carroll
    • Michael Zeadleras Michael Zeadler
    Athol Compton
    • Billy Cormanas Billy Corman
    Hedley Cullen
    Hedley Cullen
    • Judgeas Judge
    Michael Duffield
    • Andrew Potteras Andrew Potter
    Wallas Eaton
    • Morgue Doctoras Morgue Doctor
    Jo England
    • Babysitteras Babysitter
    John Frawley
    • Policemanas Policeman
    Jennifer De Greenlaw
    • Zeadler's Secretaryas Zeadler's Secretary
    • (as Jennifer de Greenlaw)
    • Director
      • Peter Weir
    • Writers
      • Peter Weir(screenplay) (original idea)
      • Tony Morphett(screenplay)
      • Petru Popescu(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    A Sydney lawyer has more to worry about than higher-than-average rainfall when he is called upon to defend five Aboriginals in court. Determined to break their silence and discover the truth behind the hidden society he suspects lives in his city, the Lawyer is drawn further, and more intimately, into a prophesy that threatens a new Armageddon, wherein all the continent shall drown. —David Carroll <davidc@atom.ansto.gov.au>
    australian aboriginephilosophypolice officerplaygroundsun reflection189 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • The Occult Forces. The Ritual Murder. The Sinister Storms. The Prophetic Dreams. The Last Wave.
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Fantasy
      • Mystery
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • PG
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Director Peter Weir asked tribal Aboriginal actors David Gulpilil and Nandjiwarra Amagula about the script and incorporated their reactions to the finished dialogue.
    • Goofs
      When Chamberlin's character leaves his office and drives in the rain the windshield wipers are moving at a fast rate. When the shot changes to inside the car the wipers are suddenly moving at a slower rate.
    • Quotes

      Chris Lee: Dream is a shadow ... of something real.

    • Connections
      Featured in Sneak Previews: The North Avenue Irregulars/The Last Wave/Agatha/Norma Rae/Get Out Your Handkerchiefs (1979)

    User reviews62

    Review
    Top review
    Gives new meaning to the word mystique.
    I notice a lot of viewers are trying to 'understand' The Last Wave. Sometimes...understanding is 'the booby prize'. In an age of in-your-face special effects and fast action that negates thinkiing at all, this film is brilliant. Peter Weir is truly a remarkable film maker. He does something so few director's do anymore. He allows us to be involved with the story...to think for ouselves. Same as with Picnic At Hanging Rock, which I have to watch at least once a year, The Last Wave allows ME to think for myself.
    helpful•26
    13
    • lottatitles
    • Oct 6, 2002

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 1979 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Australia
    • Official sites
      • Criterion Collection
      • South Australian Film Corporation
    • Languages
      • English
      • Italian
      • Aboriginal
    • Also known as
      • Peter Weir's The Last Wave
    • Filming locations
      • Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
    • Production companies
      • McElroy & McElroy
      • The South Australian Film Corporation
      • The Australian Film Commission
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • A$810,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $957
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $495
      • Dec 2, 2001
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,382
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 46 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

    David Gulpilil to receive Aacta Longford Lyell Award
    David Gulpilil to receive Aacta Longford Lyell Award
    Dec 2IF.com.au
    David Gulpilil, Iconic Indigenous Australian Actor, Dies at 68
    David Gulpilil, Iconic Indigenous Australian Actor, Dies at 68
    Nov 29Variety Film + TV

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