Walkabout (1971) Blu-ray Review

5 star glorious restoration of a seminal masterpiece.

Originally released in 1971, Walkabout is loosely based on the 1959 novel “The Children ” written by James Vance Marshall (Santa Fe). The screenplay is from the pen of Edward Bond based on a story by Nicholas Roeg (Don’t Look Now, The Man Who Fell to Earth), who also directs his first solo feature film.

Following a brand new 4k scan and restoration, the film is now available in the UK on Standard Edition Blu-ray courtesy of Second Sight Films.

“In Australia, when an Aborigine man child reaches sixteen, he is sent out into the land. For months he must live from it. Sleep on it. Eat of it’s fruit and flesh. Stay alive. Even if it means killing his fellow creatures. The Aborigines call it the Walkabout.”

As the film opens, we see life in big city Australia. Seemingly ideal, nevertheless there is a real air of tension. We soon see the reason for this, as a father (John Meillon – Crocodile Dundee) drives his teenage daughter (Jenny Agutter – The Railway Children, An American Werewolf in London) and young son (Luc Roeg) into the outback for a family picnic.

It quickly becomes obvious this was not his intent, as he begins shooting at them and when he fails to kill them, sets fire to the car and shoots himself in the head. The girl manages to shield the boy, lets go on ahead she says, Father will follow. Of course, he will not.

With only very basic supplies, they head off into the outback, scrabbling around to survive. Seemingly saved, they find a waterhole, but cruelly when they awaken the next morning it has dried up.

Luckily for them, this is when they meet the young Aboriginal boy (David Gulpilil – Rabbit Proof Fence, Australia), out on his Walkabout. He sees their predicament and takes them under his wing. He catches food, provides water and shelter and tries to help them get back to their world. Unfortunately, an unbridgeable cultural divide leads to tragic consequences.

“Please try. It can’t be much further. It’s silly to give in now. It’s getting late. We’ve got to go. We can’t waste time, I’ll carry you for a bit.”

Walkabout is an extremely clever film, with gorgeous cinematography. The editing is also amazing, cutting between the basic nature of life in the outback and the unthinking consumerism of civilisation.

The barren yet captivating landscapes are emphasised by a sweeping and evocative score by John Barry (Out of Africa, Born Free) and with the fantastic new restoration, the oppressive heat of the sun beats down more intensly than ever.

What makes this film work so well is the stark contrast between the beauty of the surroundings and the extreme dangers lurking at every turn. One of those is the sexual awakening of a young girl, lost in the wilderness with a teenage boy. With fantastic acting from all concerned, this mysterious film retains all of it’s allure to this day.

Bookended by largely unexplained deaths, it stays with you long after the credits roll. Every bit as visually stunning and emotionally devastating as it was upon it’s original release, this excellent restoration is a must add to any film collection.