DEAD CALM

Australia, 1989, 96 minutes, Colour.
Sam Neill, Nicole Kidman, Billy Zane, Rod Mullinar.
Directed by Phillip Noyce.

Dead Calm is an atmospheric thriller from the Kennedy- Miller studios. It was written by Terry Hayes, the writer of many of their productions including the Mad Max films. Director is Phillip Noyce (Backroads, Newsfront, Heatwave, Echoes of Paradise as well as many mini-series)

The film is based on a novel by Charles Williams which was partially filmed by Orson Welles in the '60s with the title The Deep. Sam Neill is quietly efficient as the hero, Nicole Kidman in an adult role is the frightened and then courageous wife. American Billy Zane is the villain.

The film was made on the Barrier Reef with an opening in Sydney. It uses the Panavision framework well for presentation of yachts at sea, as well as storms and sinking boats.

The film builds up its atmosphere - but audiences will probably be divided as to whether they are caught up - in the atmosphere or not. There is an atmospheric musical score.

1. Thriller and menace, on the sea, '80s style?

2. The opening and its atmosphere: the transition to the open sea, the boats? The songs? The choral score?

3. The title, the sea, murder, the characters?

4. The introduction to John, the train, arrival, navy, the police, the death of his son, Rae and her illness? Rae's nightmare, the driving, the seat belt, the child going through the window? The voyage and the hopes? Her illness, pills? John's tenderness? on the seas and the calm sailing?

5. The atmosphere of the sea, the boat, the playful dog, peaceful and soothing?

6. The fine boat, the radio, Hughie and the dinghy, crash arrival, his story about the boat and the illness, his personality and appearance, fatigue, John locking him in the cabin?

7. John and his experience, relationship with Rae, rowing to the boat, discovering the bodies, the sinking ship, restoring the generator, the horror movie going on and indicating what had happened, his getting the engine going, the radio to Rae, aware of the dangers, sailing towards her? The boat beginning to sink, the devastation of the storm, the mast blocking the door, his bailing out the water, using the pipe for air, crashing through the wood, Making the raft, setting the boat on fire, its sinking, the flare, Rae finding him, the handclasp and saving him?

8. Rae alone, sailing the boat, Hughie breaking out and her reaction, getting the knife and the possibilities of killing him or not, the radar and the radio, interpreting John's messages, the key and the dog bringing it back, keeping course, the sexual encounter to save herself, the dangers, getting the gun, the tablets and his going unconscious, locking him up, his escape and breaking through the doors, the continued menace, the gun and the fights, the storm, killing the dog, the harpoons, getting him on the raft and putting him overboard, sailing towards John, on the mask, the rescue? How resourceful and courageous a heroine?

9. Hughie and the mystery, personality, arrival, locked up, his story, getting out, fight, knocking Rae out, not rescuing John, dancing to the music, the confrontation with Rae, the sexual liaison, the pills and his unconsciousness, tied up, the blood and his freeing his hands, chasing Rae, the threats of the gun and the harpoon, his being wounded, overboard, not in the raft, the final fight, destroyed by the flare?

10. Rae and John together, the quiet, her swim, a sense of menace, everything as usual, Hughie's arrival, John shooting him with the flare?

11. An atmosphere of menace, moodiness, fear, violence, decisions?