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The Last Wave - Criterion Collection
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Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Binding: DVD
EAN: 9780780024601
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC
ISBN: 0780024605
Label: Criterion
Languages: English (Subtitled), English (Original Language),
Manufacturer: Criterion
MPN: DLAS100D
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Criterion
Region Code: 1
Release Date: November 27, 2001
Running Time: 106 minutes
Studio: Criterion
Theatrical Release Date: 1979-01
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Editorial Review:
Nominally a supernatural thriller, Peter Weir's third feature resonates with the director's underlying fascination with the collision between the modern, rational world and the primordial mysteries of older belief systems. In The Last Wave, the keys to an enigmatic murder, as well as baffling disturbances in the weather, are gradually revealed to an Australian lawyer (Richard Chamberlain) within the shadowy, nomadic culture of aborigines living in and around Sydney who until now were presumed to be assimilated into its modern--and white--social fabric. In the process, Weir brings us toward an apocalyptic climax that is foreshadowed with a haunting series of events that cohere around water imagery, from an improbable drowning on dry land to downpours from cloudless skies, sudden hailstorms on the sere Australian land, and ghostly invasions of frogs.
The film's power (as well as what skeptics might regard as its pretension) emanates from Weir's stately, deliberate pace. Violating most of the conventions of suspense, he unravels his mystery with an unsettling calm underscored by its sparse soundtrack, which replaces conventional orchestral cues with the low, brooding rattle and hum of the didgeridoo. Instead of sudden camera movements or quick cuts, Weir circles his subjects almost diffidently. The stillness of that approach only amplifies the mounting unease Chamberlain's character, David Burton, feels as he steps for the first time beyond the bland safety of his privileged life and into the mystical world of the native Australians. Taking on the defense of the aborigines suspected of murdering the drowned man through tribal magic, his own beliefs are tested by the suspects' evident, intuitive connections to nature.
Chamberlain's Anglicized performance seems fussy and epicene, which only heightens the quiet intensity and watchful grace conveyed by the two aborigines, Chris Lee (David Gulpilil) and the shaman, Charlie (Nandjiwarra Amagula), who give Burton his first glimpse of their culture's "dreamtime" and the potent symbolism it contains. --Sam Sutherland
Richard Chamberlain stars as Australian lawyer David Burton, who takes on the defense of a group of aborigines accused of killing one of their own. He suspects the victim has been killed for violating a tribal taboo, but the defendants deny any tribal association. Burton, plagued by apocalyptic visions of water, slowly realizes his own involvement with the aborigines...and their prophecies.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Homeowner's Insurance Won't Cover This
You know the people in the movie are in for it when king-sized hailstones fall from a clear blue sky. In fact, the weather stays pretty bad throughout this atmospheric thriller, and only lawyer Chamberlain has the answer. But he's too much the European rationalist, I gather, to get in touch with that inner being that reveals itself through dreams.
Hauntingly original mystery heavy on the metaphysics from director-writer Peter Weir. Already he had shown skill at flirting with other dimensions ... Read More
Rating: - metaphysics on celluloid
The acting, cinematography and storyline are all 1st rate. The Aborigines pull Richard Chamberlain into their dark nonlinear primal world where dreams are still taken seriously. The very best (and perhaps most chilling) scene is when Chris, a young Aborigine, tells Chamberlain what dreams really are while they sit around the dining room table. I was riveted (sp) to my seat during the entire movie and will recommend this film to offbeat friends.
Rating:  - Myth and mystery very thought provoking
This film is an old favorite of mine. This purchase was a gift for a friend. I would love to see some of the material expanded upon. So many areas were touched. One of the memorable moments for me was when the Aboriginal Shaman asked the question "Who are you?" with such intensity it began to shift the hero's perception of himself. Don't want to give any of this story away. It should be new and surprising to each viewer. Definitely held my attention. The cast was great.
Rating: - "The Last Wave" - a thought-provoking mystery
The Last Wave, set the the "Outback" of Australia, delivers not only a first class mystery tale, but effectively moves you into the intriguing realm Australian aboriginal spirituality. In this case, the theme involves cultures in conflict with the protagonist(played by Richard Chamberlain), a lawer and a "rational man", finding himself defending aboriginal Australians in a "Voo Doo Death" case. He gradually finds himself involved in a mystery that goes far beyond the trial of the accused. The deeper mystery ... Read More
Rating: - The Last Wave
"The Last Wave" is a hard movie for me to grade. I want to give it 3 stars, for the entertainment grade...But I don't think, what amounts to, a 'C' sums up the entertainment value. It's a movie that deserves 4 stars, not necessarily because it's a really good movie but because there are so many "really good" things about it. The movie is entertaining, but not massively. It's directed by Peter Weir, whose credits include The Truman Show, Master & Commander, and Picnic at Hanging Rock. I've seen the two formers ... Read More
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