Rabbit Proof Fence (2002)

Based on a true story, Rabbit-Proof Fence moves with dignified grace from its joyful opening scenes to a conclusion that's moving beyond words. The title refers to a 1,500-mile fence separating outback desert from the farmlands of Western Australia. It is here, in 1931, that three aboriginal girls are separated from their mothers and transported to a distant training school, where they are prepared for assimilation into white society by a racist government policy. Gracie, Daisy, and Molly belong to Australia's "stolen generations," and this riveting film (based on the book by Molly's daughter, Doris Pilkington Garimara) follows their escape and tenacious journey homeward, while a stubborn policy enforcer (Kenneth Branagh) demands their recapture. Director Phillip Noyce chronicles their ordeal with gentle compassion, guiding his untrained, aboriginal child actors with a keen eye for meaningful expressions. Their performances evoke powerful emotions (subtly enhanced by Peter Gabriel's excellent score), illuminating a shameful chapter of Australian history while conveying our universal need for a true and proper home. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

Remarkable achievement; Riveting true story

Director Philip Noyce has a solid reputation for his first-class film achievements, and adds another big feather in his cap with "Rabbit-Proof Fence". Many films have been made about intrusions from outsiders to change a native culture, whether our own Native Americans, Hawaiians, Amazonians, tribal Africans, etc. It's Australia's turn, and the horrible subject is handled with sensitivity and care. Plucked from their homes and families, 3 young girls are determined to find their way home. It's all the more remarkable that this is a true story, set in 1931. Production values are top-notch, from music (Peter Gabriel), photography (Christopher Doyle), Noyce's profound vision, and everyone else involved. The 3 incredible young stars (Everlyn Sampi, Laura Monaghan, Tianna Sansbury), all native Aborigines and all non-professionals, are totally natural in their handling of the material. Veterans Kenneth Branagh & David Gulpilil are on hand to provide necessary angst. The DVD has an excellent documentary, Following the Rabbit-Proof Fence, about the making of the film. Also a fine commentary track. Highly recommended; a fine history lesson and an achievement that belies it's Indie status. November 15, 2008

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I have always loved this movie. The courage and determenation of those 2 girls traveling all that way to get home to their family was amazing. It's one to watch 1000 times and not get tired of. November 1, 2008

True Story about Some Strong and Determined Kids

Rabbit Proof Fence is the true story of three Aborigine girls who travel more than 1,000 miles on foot through the desert to return home to their mothers. The girls were taken from their mothers in Australia's effort to train "half caste" - or half white - children to be servants in mainstream Australia. Most reviewers will note that although the intention seems absurd now, the government had good intentions. I don't swallow this a bit, but that's my opinion.

The movie itself is well done. I didn't recognize any of the actors, but the acting was excellent. I was surprised at the acting capability of the unknown girl actresses.

I highly recommend this movie. September 4, 2008

Rabbit Proof Fence

The Aboriginal people were invaded in 1931 by white people. They lived in Western Australia. A special law was put into place called the "Aborginies Act", where every aspect of their life was controlled. The children were named "half cast" because of their fathers' being white. Mr. A.O. Neville was the legal guardian and chief protector. He had the power to remove any "half cast" child from their family. The story is true. Molly Craig age 14, sister Daisy Katable age 8, and cousin Gracie Fields around age 10 or 11, all lived close to the Jingalong Storehouse Depot. Molly's mother spoke of how the white man came in and set up a storehouse where food was rationed on a daily bases. This is also where the Aborginal people received other supplies such as clothing. Molly's father, a white man, worked on a fence named "rabbit proof fence". This fence was said to be 1500 miles long and went from sea to sea. This fence was for containment of the Aborginal people. Molly and her mother was watching a hawk fly and Molly's mother told her that it was a spirit bird and that it would always look after her.
The Aborginal people were extremely aware of how to track for food and had sacred spiritual beliefs which will be beneficial to this story. Mr. Neville had told his people to go and pick up Molly, Gracie and Daisy and take them to the dormitory at Moore River. Mr. Neville spoke proudly of the fact that once the Aborginal children were bread into white family that by the third generation there would be no trace of the color of their skin. They would be considered white. But Mr. Neville would be the one to decide whether their skin was fair enough to be bread. They had to be light skinned enough to start the process. The girls were caught and brought to the dormitory in Moore River in Perth, Western Australia approximately 1200 miles south of Jingalong. Here they were taught how to speak English, and learned the white man's religion and culture. The girls stayed only a few days before Molly decided to go back home. A man that lived near the compound was known for his tracking ability and his name was Voodoo. He would go and find the children that ran away and then return them back to the compound. Once brought back they would be punished by whipping and left in a small building for days. Even with the knowledge of the punishment they would receive if caught, she was still determined that they would go home. Through their journey home they were able to stay alive by running into different people that would feed them. They were even given coats by one lady. Molly knew that in order to get home she would have to find the rabbit proof fence, using it as a guide. During this entire time they were being tracked by Voodoo but due to their wisdom, they continually outsmarted him. Mr. Neville spent months looking for the girls. The middle aged girl, Gracie, split off from the other two for she was told that her mother was to be at a train station. She was caught and taken back to the Moore River. But with determination Molly and Daisy continued to walk. While crossing the desert they both collapsed from the heat but when Molly came too she saw the spirit bird her mother told her about. Her mother and others were singing sacred songs and praying for their safe return. The girls made it back home and they were then covered with a dark paste to cover their light skin.
They hid in the desert and Molly got married. Gracie had passed away. The Aborginal people were forcibly removed from their home until 1970. Many suffered from destruction of identity, family life, and culture which they call the "stolen generations".
September 2, 2008

More than true...

I was amazed at how much I could relate this powerful, beautifully-told story to our history here in North America, where there are still elders in Indian Country who experienced the same thing, being taken from their parents and forced to stay in boarding schools designed to "kill the Indian, save the child." So much was the same, the forced assimilation, the forbidding of using native language, the forced religion, the brainwashing into thinking that the assimilated aboriginal is better and more intelligent than the non-assimilated. So much is similar that I wish there was more relationship between Australia's "stolen generation" and First Nations people who survived boarding schools and their descendants.

Acting was top-notch from the three girls who had never before acted--particularly Everlyn Sampi, who is clearly a natural method-actor as the director says in the excellent making-of featurette on the DVD (which also includes a great commentary). The photography is gorgeous, really managing to capture the soul of the outback with respect and almost a sort of love. Amazingly unsentimental and never melodramatic--which is quite an accomplishment for such a dramatic, challenging story. And, while there is heartbreak, this manages to ultimately be a feel-good movie...the kind that stays with you. I don't know anyone who's seen it who didn't enjoy it.

While the subject matter is difficult, I think this would be quite appropriate for families and the classroom. None of the material would be too much for kids, and there's no language or anything else that parents would find questionable. August 21, 2008

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