A Cry in the Dark (1988)

A Cry in the Dark or Evil Angels

This has to be one of the most heart wrenching films I have ever seen.

This is the opposite of those movies that make you feel good about humanity and the world we live in ... This incredible true story makes you wonder how we call this civilization or justice.

Meryl Streep is tremendous as Mrs. Chamberlain, wife to a pastor husband, who experiences tragedy early on in the film. But the film focuses more on the tragedy that later befalls their lives as compassion and humanity are trampled by ignorance, rumor, hatred, and stubbornness.

Their story is amazing. It is sad and it makes you cry. And it will haunt you for some time. I believe there are few things scarier than being innocent and yet being unable to prove it because others believe in your guilt so diligently and blindly. Like Hitchcock's The Wrong Man, Cry in the Dark will leave its stain upon you, but will also give you hope in the end.

Highly recommend it is seen, but buy it with caution (some moments are so terribly painful you may not ever want to see them again). June 4, 2008

A Cry in the Dark

A very fine acting performance by the main characters -- hard to watch knowing how injustice and prejudice colored the "investigation" -- but well worth the time. Will watch this one more than once. January 7, 2008

A Cry in the Dark

Based on the shocking true story of a Seventh Day Adventist and his wife's personal and legal ordeal, Schepisi's poignant, gut-wrenching drama builds on the astonishing performance of Streep, barely recognizable as the timid, aggrieved victim of near-daily assaults in the press. Schepisi builds suspense in the tense courtroom scenes, which are intercut with flashbacks to the camping trip, and never recoils from the lurid aspects of the Lindy witch hunt. With its sympathy for a minority faith and contempt for tabloid excess, "Dark" feels more relevant than ever. July 6, 2007

how much is that doggie in the outback? the one with the waggly tail?

this is probably the funniest movie i have ever seen. meryl streep is a laff riot as a kooky aussie gal who rises to fame as a star of her own sitcom with the catchphrase: "a dingo took my baby!" i havent laughed this hard since the first time i saw a marx brothers movie, and ... oh wait. im sorry. someone looking over my shoulder read this and just advised me that this is NOT a comedy. sorry, dont pay attention to anything ive just said. mine bad! May 11, 2007

The "Death" Of An Innocent Family

Goes to show how far a little prejudice will go. After warnings that Dingos were becoming a dangerous problem at Ayer's Rock, baby Azaria's tragic death was bound to happen to someone's child sooner or later. Unfortunately, many didn't realize just how powerful an animal the Dingo is. Like many here in the U.S. don't realize the dangers of our even smaller Coyote. And unfortunately for the Chamberlain family, smaller minority churches like their membership in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, made them subjects of suspicion and rumors. Their marriage was eventually destroyed over this crisis.

This film portrayed so well, how a little gossip and stereotyping can explode into hatred. Little known to most even today, is that there was a large cover-up from law enforcement, down to members of the local community, who were aware that a well known local Dingo was responsible for Azaria's death. Yet, many still refuse to accept Lindy Chamberlain's total innocence of her baby's death. The average viewer of this film would be totally sickened by the full revelation of this tragic event.

Meryl Streep's performance, is possibly the best movie portrayal of someone not actually born a native to the country of her character's origin. Her Australian accent is delivered to perfection. Very much worthy of the 8th Academy Award nomination she received. A strong argument for religious tolerance, and keeping cool heads till all the facts are in. And a great edition to any DVD collection, though some strong language for what essentially is a faith-based film may discourage some from viewing.

The film's now well known line, "the Dingo took my baby" would not have the least hint of humor if heard in its true context. Watch the movie and you'll see what I mean. October 18, 2006

More reviews at Amazon.com ...