RAZORBACK

Australia, 1985, 95 minutes, Colour.
Gregory Harrison, Judy Morris, Arkie Whitely, Bill Kerr, Chris Haywood, David Argue, John Ewart.
Directed by Russell Mulcahy.

Razorback was one of the bigger-budget Australian films of the early '80s. It was adapted by Everett de Roche (Patrick, The Long Weekend, Frog Dreaming) from a novel by Peter Brennan.

The film is directed by Russell Mulcahy, a director of video clips and an award-winner. The style of the film is both realistic and surrealistic, benefiting by Mulcahy's imagination with video techniques. The photography by Dean Semmler (Mad Max, Undercover) won the AFI Award for Best Photography, putting into effect Mulcahy's ideas.

The film is a variation on Jaws and all the animal menace films. Its setting is very much that of Wake In Fright, even being filmed around Broken Hill. It is also reminiscent of American thrillers of the '70s and '80s e.g. Wes Craven's pictures of offbeat communities as in The Hills Have Eyes. David Argue and Chris Haywood are almost over the top as eccentric brothers. However, the hero is Gregory Harrison from Trapper John M.D. Bill Kerr also has a strong role. There are a number of Australian character actors in supporting roles.

The film was also reminiscent of the Azaria Chamberlain case with a baby disappearing and the grandfather being convicted of the child's murder.

The film is a blend of realism and imagination - a type of art-house animal menace thriller.

1. The popularity of the animal menace film? Enjoyment? The influence of such films as Jaws? Audience reaction? This film within these conventions? Transcending them?

2. The style and flair of the film? Russell Mulcahy's work? The realism of the United States and its affluence? The contrast with the Australian Outback, the desert, the town, the Pet- Pak factory? The identifiable characteristics? The imaginative atmosphere? The contrast with colours, nightmare, unreal landscapes, visual compositions, the weather, the Pet- Pak factory?

3. The hero's desert hallucination? The editing and pace, violence? The special effects for the razorback - standing and moving? The unreal settings and the characters within these? The climax in the Pet- Pak factory? The score and the mood, the songs? The photography and its AFI Award?

4. A film for film buffs: animal menace, Wake in Fright, video clips, murderous hillbillies, posses and chases etc.?

5. The blend of realism and thriller with nightmare? The points made about Australian society, the Australian Outback, the ugly Australians? The situation in the United States: Beth and her work, interest in animals, media? Her relationship with Carl? The trip, her pregnancy? Her decision to go on the trip? Animal rights, stances, her arrival, the hostility, the interviews, her guide? Driving in the night? Being molested by Benny and Dicko? The terror of her being attacked by the razorback? Her death, the ring?

6. Carl grieving for his wife, wanting to search for the truth? Carl and his American background, love for Beth, the anniversary, the gift, her pregnancy, the trip? His arrival? The American in the Outback, his pretending to be someone else, gathering information, discussing with the locals, his quest, the visit to the Pet- Pak factory and its ugliness, the encounter with Benny and Dicko and their not giving any information? His decision to go hunting with them? The brutality of the kangaroo-hunt, the lights, the shooting? Their living in the side of the hill?

7. The contrast with Jake Cullen and his friendship? Friendship with Sarah? His nightmares and hallucinations, the trek in the desert, his being lost, up in the windmill, the pigs, the return to the town, the posse, chasing Benny and Dicko, violence, the encounter with the razorback, the lurking in the Pet-Pak? factory, the challenge, the fight, the death of the pig, the rescue of Sarah? A hero for this kind of film?

8. Jake and the prologue? The disappearance of his grandson, the reaction of the family, the court case (and the memories of the Azaria Chamberlain case)? His being alone, his vengeance on the razorback, tough and nuggetty, his pursuit, the encounter with Carl and the information, Benny and Dicko and their suspicions, shooting him and leaving him? At the waterhole, his dragging himself into the hut, the horror of his being killed by the razorback?

9. The old man and his defiance, defeat - which was his vindication about his grandson's death? Benny and Dicko as ugly Australians, exaggerated performances, mad? Over the top? Their appearance, manners? Presence in the town, laughing, joking, drinking? The suspicions of Beth? Their attacking her? Their fear about Jake and his telling the truth, wounding him and leaving him? Their Pet- Pak factory, the hunt, the brutality towards the kangaroos, their maniacal behaviour, leaving Carl and frightening him? The violence, the confrontation with Carl? Their deaths? Sarah and her work, computers, tracking the pigs, attracted towards Carl, her hospitality, his deciding to leave, his return, her trying to round up the townspeople, going to the Pet- Pak factory, the happy resolution?

10. The background of the townspeople, the trial, for and against Jake, at the bar. nothing to do, the man who was left behind at the race for the posse? Touches of humour, grim touches?

11. The pigs and their presence in the outback, the boars? The razorback as a monster? The special effects - the mauling and killing? The destruction (and the comic taking of the half the house with Don Lane on the television disappearing into the distance)? The build-up to the finale, the confrontation of Carl and the razorback? The destruction in the Pet- Pak factory, the death of the pig?

12. Exciting action thriller? The emphasis on style and characters? What kind of a world?