IN THE WINTER DARK

Australia, 1998, 92 minutes, Colour.
Brenda Blethyn, Ray Barrett, Richard Roxburgh, Miranda Otto, Steve Le Marquand, Les Dayman.
Directed by James Bogle.

Tim Winton wrote the Novella.
The film is as dark as it sounds, story of memories and dreams, of mysteries, where the unconscious might be acting out destructively in the real world, or the story might be an examination of conscience.

Ray Barrett Brenda Blethyn (Secrets and Lies) play an elderly couple who lived in the Megalong Valley in the Blue Mountains outside Sydney. They are forced to come to terms with the meaning of their lives. A mysterious creature is prowling and destroying the local cattle.

Miranda Otto and Richard Roxburgh play to younger people who are the catalysts of change.

The photography of the remote valley, the score and the atmosphere of dreams means that this is very much mood piece.

1. The novels of Tim Winton? Film versions? Winton’s perceptions of human nature, grim perspectives, symbols?

2. The colour photography, the Megalong Valley, the mystery of the Blue Mountains? Sequences during the day, sequences of the darkness of the night? The musical score? Jacob and his listening to the blues music?

3. The basic narrative of the plot, the menacing animal, the destruction of the cattle, the response of the local people, of Nick, the Minister? The effect on Maurice and Ida? The effect on Ronnie? Jacob? The film being much more than the basic narrative line?

4. The title, ominous, the emphasis of darkness, the season of winter?

5. The symbol of the creature killing the cattle? In reality? As the destructive symbol in the psyche of each of the characters?

6. The unconscious? Surfacing in memories, fears? The examination of the past, conscience?

7. Maurice, his age, his narrative, his interpretation of what was happening? His relationship with Ida? The long marriage? Each taking the other for granted? Sitting and having cups of tea? The response to the creature, fear, memories of the child and cot death? Recriminations? Ida, her response, the friendship with Ronnie, the scene with them drinking? The touch of lightness and humour?

8. Ronnie, a place in the valley, pregnant, abandoned by her boyfriend, the atmosphere of the creature, its effect on her, with Jacob, with Maurice, the
drinking sequence? The importance of being pregnant – and the couple’s memory of their child?

9. Jacob, age, lonely, tense, listening to the music, interactions with the other characters, creature, precipitation of the crisis?

10. An intense drama, interactions, though with a measured pace? Mood piece?