I watched this Australian film recently on television, attracted by some great reviews, and the fact that it had won the Special Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
(Although I will avoid plot spoilers, I have to state from the outset that this film contains unsettling images of rape, racism, and extreme violence.)
The year is 1825, and Britain rules Australia as a colony. The Army enforces that rule with an iron hand, treating the Aboriginal people appallingly, and using convicts as servants and labourers. One such convict is the Irish waitress, Clare. She is the Nightingale of the title, as her singing voice is admired by the soldiers, especially the officer, Hawkins. He also lusts after her, and uses his power over her to keep her captive even though she is married, and has a baby.
Hawkins is supposed to be sending a letter recommending that Clare and her husband are freed, but he refuses to do so. When she challenges him about that, he rapes her. Her husband discovers the assault and confronts Hawkins and his sergeant, resulting in a fight. This is witnessed by a visiting Colonel, who tells Hawkins afterwards that he is unsuitable for promotion. Enraged, Hawkins resolves to travel to Launceston, to plead his case in person with the area commander. He orders his sergeant to accompany him, along with a junior officer, Ensign Jago, and three civilians, including a small boy.
But before departing, Hawkins resolves to settle things with Clare and her husband. Holding them at gunpoint assisted by Jago and his sergeant, he rapes Clare in front of her husband Aiden, then commands the sergeant to do the same. All the while her baby girl is screaming, and Aiden is beside himself with rage. So Hawkins shoots her husband, then tells Jago to keep the baby quiet. He throws the baby across the room, killing it as it hits the wall. Then he is told to finish off Clare, and hits her with the butt of a musket. Thinking they are all dead, the soldiers depart for Launceston.
However, Clare survives, and she enlists the help of a young aboriginal tracker, Billy, to follow the men to get revenge for her family.
What follows is an arduous trek across country, during which Clare finds a new respect for her guide and his culture. On the way, they encounter shocking treatment of Aboriginals by white overseers, and have to learn to work together against the terrain and elements to survive. Clare also eventually catches up with the soldiers, relying on her guide to help protect her from them.
If you can get past the often distressing scenes, this is a powerful film in every respect. Casting is perfect, with outstanding performances by all the leads, direction is flawless, and the atmosphere and period of the early 19th century is completely convincing. The cinematography on the rugged landscape of Tasmania is wonderful, and it has much to say about racism, colonialism, and the dark side of the British Empire.
I thought it was excellent, and it will stay in my mind for a very long time.
Here is the official trailer.
Thanks for the great review and the reminder, Pete! A movie worth to be watched. I will try again in the original English language. xx Michael
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You may be able to find it with German subtitles, Michael. I hope you get to see it.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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It sounds like a powerful film, Pete, and one I would love to watch. I’ll investigate. Many thanks for the recommendation.
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You may find it on Amazon Prime, if you have that. It is on that platform in the UK.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks for the review and recommendation. Warmest regards, Ed
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It’s well-photographed, and a powerful watch, Ed.
Best wishes, Pete.
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This looks like an excellent film, but I don’t think I’m up for the violence at this point, too upsetting.
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If that would upset you, the perhaps it is best to avoid this film, Liz.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Sounds like a really good movie but a little to violent for me.
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It certainly has violent scenes, Christina. They are relevant to the plot though.
(My latest serial is available as a complete story this morning.)
Best wishes, Pete.
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You just made my day Pete 😁 I have been checking daily for it to be complete 😀
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I watched a far less violent confrontational movie: The Descent (2005). You can try to convince me to watch The Nightingale, but I’m pretty determined, so I doubt I’ll cave.
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NIce cave pun. I thought The Descent was okay, but the ‘monsters’ could have been better.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Doesn’t sound like my kind of film …
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It might be too violent for you, Stevie.
That said, it really is worth watching.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I usually avoid watching anything nasty.
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Great review…this is one I will look for now!
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I believe it is available on Amazon Prime, John. I watched it (uncut) on mainstream TV.
Best wishes, Pete.
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It’s a movie I still think about… (and sob about)
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Glad to hear you feel the same, Lara.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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Excellent review, Pete. Top notch to the extreme. Like you, I loved this film. It is brutal, no doubt, but the violence is not gratuitous.
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I thought we had to see the horror of it, to understand the rage that followed.
Thanks, Pam.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thank you, Pete. My only skill is “skimming”. Thanks to your warning, I didn’t read any of it – except “I thought it was excellent, and it will stay in my mind for a very long time”. Your recommendations have absolute power…..
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If you can tolerate the violence, you will be rewarded with an excellent historical drama, Pippa.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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It looks gripping and grim, but stories need to be told. Over here the powers that be would draw a veil over inconvenient history. God help us if they get their way. The Australians make good films. I’ll look out for this.
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It’s definitely worth watching, Carolyn.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I’ll look out for this.
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It should be on the All 4 catch up service for free. I think it is on Amazon Prime too. I saw it on Film 4.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Cheers!
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This sounds excellent and I plan to watch it
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I really do recommend it, Beth. Gruelling, but worth the effort.
Best wishes, Pete.
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