Jump to content

Dark Age (film): Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Tags: Visual edit Mobile edit Mobile web edit
 
(27 intermediate revisions by 16 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|1987 Australian horror adventure film by Arch Nicholson}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2015}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2015}}
Line 4: Line 5:
| name = Dark Age
| name = Dark Age
| image = darkage1987poster.jpg
| image = darkage1987poster.jpg

| image_size =
| caption = Theatrical film poster
| caption = Theatrical film poster
| director = [[Arch Nicholson]]
| director = [[Arch Nicholson]]
Line 28: Line 29:
}}
}}
| distributor = [[Embassy Home Entertainment]]
| distributor = [[Embassy Home Entertainment]]
| released = July 10, 1987
| released = {{Film date|1987|07|10}}
| runtime = 91 minutes
| runtime = 91 minutes
| country = {{Plain list |
| country = {{Plain list |
Line 38: Line 39:
| gross =
| gross =
}}
}}
'''''Dark Age''''' is a 1987 [[Cinema of Australia|Australian]] [[Horror film|horror]] [[adventure film]]<ref>Ed. Scott Murray, ''Australia on the Small Screen 1970-1995'', Oxford Uni Press, 1996 p34</ref> directed by [[Arch Nicholson]], produced by [[Antony I. Ginnane]] and starring [[John Jarratt]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article213879104 |title=Memories of Arch Nicholson |newspaper=[[Filmnews]] |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=1 March 1990 |access-date=16 May 2020 |page=5 |via=Trove }}</ref>
'''''Dark Age''''' is a 1987 [[Cinema of Australia|Australian]] [[Horror film|horror]] [[adventure film]]<ref>Ed. Scott Murray, ''Australia on the Small Screen 1970-1995'', Oxford Uni Press, 1996 p34</ref> directed by [[Arch Nicholson]], produced by [[Antony I. Ginnane]] and starring [[John Jarratt]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article213879104 |title=Memories of Arch Nicholson |newspaper=[[Filmnews]] |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=1 March 1990 |access-date=16 May 2020 |page=5 |via=Trove }}</ref> [[Nikki Coghill]], and [[Max Phipps]]. In the film, an Australian park ranger is tasked with hunting a legendary, 25-foot crocodile that appears to have a spiritual connection with the local Aboriginals. The film was released on July 10, 1987.


==Plot==
==Plot==
During a massive rainstorm, a trio of poachers heads out into a local river in the [[Northern Territory]] to hunt crocodiles. Upon finding a massive, 25-foot [[saltwater crocodile]], the poachers attempt to capture it. However, the beast tips their boat over and attacks, leaving only one survivor - John Besser ([[Max Phipps]]).
Steve Harris ([[John Jarratt]]) is a ranger who has been assigned to deal with a massive [[saltwater crocodile]] that's been attacking and killing people in the [[Northern Territory]]. He finds himself at odds with the local [[Aboriginal Australians|Aboriginal community]], who believe the crocodile should be preserved since it contains the spirit of their past. Steve must develop a plan to respect the wishes of the Aborigines and also protect the residents threatened by the crocodile.

The next day, ranger and herpetologist Steve Harris ([[John Jarratt]]), Oondabund ([[Burnum Burnum]]), the leader of a local [[Aboriginal Australians|Aboriginal community]], and his second-in-command Adjaral ([[David Gulpilil]]) head out to check on the poachers and rescue Besser. Besser, however, vows revenge against the beast.

The beast subsequently attacks and murders an Aboriginal child. Harris is assigned by his boss Rex Garret ([[Ray Meagher]]) to kill the beast. However, Oondabund refuses to allow this, revealing to Harris that the beast - named Numunwari - is believed to be a mystical repository of the community's souls.

It then kills a thug at a local harbor. Harris leads a search for it, only to turn up nothing. Harris convinces Oondabund to help him hunt the beast, in exchange for capturing and releasing it downriver away from people in its original home. A reluctant Garret agrees.

Harris, Oondabund, and Adjaral set out hunting the beast along the river. Besser and one of his friends also set out to hunt the beast by trapping it in a net, intending to kill it. However, the beast is able to drag Besser into the water and bites off his arm.

Harris, Oondabund, and Adjaral are able to successfully capture the beast and bring it into the mainland. The trio set to transporting the beast via truck, are unknowingly pursued by Besser and his friends and Harris's girlfriend, Cathy Pope ([[Nikki Coghill]]), who intends to warn the trio. They manage to arrive at the beast's home, only for Besser and company to arrive immediately after.

Besser attacks the beast with an axe as it flees into the river, while his friends engage Harris, Oondabund, Pope, and Adjaral in a gunfight. Oondabund is fatally wounded by one of Besser's men, but the others are able to fend them off. Besser loses track of Numunwari in the river and is ambushed by the beast and dragged underwater to his death. Sometime later, Adjaral feeds Oondabund's remains to the beast in accordance with their religion.


==Cast==
==Cast==
Line 54: Line 67:


==Production==
==Production==
The film was part of a two-picture deal between executive producer [[Antony I. Ginnane]] and Hollywood studio RKO which also included ''[[The Lighthorsemen (film)|The Lighthorsemen]]''. Shooting took place five weeks in Cairns and one week in Alice Springs, starting 22 April 1986.<ref name="stratton2"/>
The film was part of a two-picture deal between executive producer [[Antony I. Ginnane]] and Hollywood studio RKO, which also included ''[[The Lighthorsemen (film)|The Lighthorsemen]]''. Shooting took place five weeks in [[Cairns]] and one week in [[Alice Springs]], starting 22 April 1986.<ref name="stratton2"/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mallinder |first=Terry |date=12 January 2015 |title=Queensland's horror filled history |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/central-queensland/queenslands-horror-filled-history/news-story/cc763e4424eea65e0d648181d5af207f |access-date=8 March 2024 |work=[[Sunshine Coast Daily]]}}</ref>


The plot shares many similarities to ''[[Jaws (film)|Jaws]]'' and contains homage shots such as the shot involving a shooting star.
The plot shares many similarities to ''[[Jaws (film)|Jaws]]'' and contains homage shots such as the shot involving a shooting star.
Line 66: Line 79:
[[Quentin Tarantino]] spoke enthusiastically of the film in the documentary ''[[Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation!]]'', commenting "You could re-release ''Dark Age'' in 2,000 screenings and people would go see it." In 2009, Tarantino hosted a screening for it in [[Sydney]].<ref>[http://www.popcorntaxi.com.au/2009/07/events/dark-age-qa-hosted-by-quentin-tarantino/ "Dark Age Q & A" ''Popcorn Taxi 2009''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322010710/http://www.popcorntaxi.com.au/2009/07/events/dark-age-qa-hosted-by-quentin-tarantino/ |date=22 March 2012 }} accessed 1 November 2012</ref>
[[Quentin Tarantino]] spoke enthusiastically of the film in the documentary ''[[Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation!]]'', commenting "You could re-release ''Dark Age'' in 2,000 screenings and people would go see it." In 2009, Tarantino hosted a screening for it in [[Sydney]].<ref>[http://www.popcorntaxi.com.au/2009/07/events/dark-age-qa-hosted-by-quentin-tarantino/ "Dark Age Q & A" ''Popcorn Taxi 2009''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322010710/http://www.popcorntaxi.com.au/2009/07/events/dark-age-qa-hosted-by-quentin-tarantino/ |date=22 March 2012 }} accessed 1 November 2012</ref>


''Filmink'' later said "The phenomenal box office success of ''Jaws'' meant producers inevitably looked towards Australia’s deadly fauna as a source of inspiration... In hindsight, it’s actually weird that more films about killer animals weren’t made in the 10BA era." <ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Filmink|title=Top Ten 10BA Knock Offs
''Filmink'' later said "The phenomenal box office success of ''Jaws'' meant producers inevitably looked towards Australia’s deadly fauna as a source of inspiration... In hindsight, it’s actually weird that more films about killer animals weren’t made in the 10BA era."<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Filmink|title=Top Ten 10BA Knock Offs
|first= Stephen|last= Vagg|date=February 29, 2020}}</ref>
|first= Stephen|last= Vagg|date=February 29, 2020}}</ref>


Line 76: Line 89:


==External links==
==External links==
* {{imdb title|0092830}}
* {{IMDb title|0092830}}
* [http://www.ozmovies.com.au/movie/dark-age ''Dark Age''] at Oz Movies
* [http://www.ozmovies.com.au/movie/dark-age ''Dark Age''] at Oz Movies
*[https://letterboxd.com/film/dark-age/ Dark Age] at Letterbox DVD
*[https://letterboxd.com/film/dark-age/ Dark Age] at Letterbox DVD
Line 85: Line 98:
[[Category:1987 films]]
[[Category:1987 films]]
[[Category:1987 horror films]]
[[Category:1987 horror films]]
[[Category:Australian films]]
[[Category:Adventure horror films]]
[[Category:Films set in the Northern Territory]]
[[Category:Films set in the Northern Territory]]
[[Category:Films shot in the Northern Territory]]
[[Category:Films shot in the Northern Territory]]
Line 92: Line 105:
[[Category:Australian adventure films]]
[[Category:Australian adventure films]]
[[Category:Australian natural horror films]]
[[Category:Australian natural horror films]]
[[Category:1980s English-language films]]

[[Category:Films directed by Arch Nicholson]]

[[Category:1980s Australian films]]
{{1980s-Australia-film-stub}}
[[Category:English-language horror films]]

Latest revision as of 09:32, 29 November 2024

Dark Age
Theatrical film poster
Directed byArch Nicholson
Screenplay bySonia Borg
Based onNumunwari
by Grahame Webb
Produced byBasil Appleby
Starring
CinematographyAndrew Lesnie
Edited byAdrian Carr
Music byDanny Beckerman
Production
companies
Distributed byEmbassy Home Entertainment
Release date
  • July 10, 1987 (1987-07-10)
Running time
91 minutes
Countries
  • Australia
  • United States
LanguageEnglish
BudgetA$4.8 million[1]

Dark Age is a 1987 Australian horror adventure film[2] directed by Arch Nicholson, produced by Antony I. Ginnane and starring John Jarratt,[3] Nikki Coghill, and Max Phipps. In the film, an Australian park ranger is tasked with hunting a legendary, 25-foot crocodile that appears to have a spiritual connection with the local Aboriginals. The film was released on July 10, 1987.

Plot

[edit]

During a massive rainstorm, a trio of poachers heads out into a local river in the Northern Territory to hunt crocodiles. Upon finding a massive, 25-foot saltwater crocodile, the poachers attempt to capture it. However, the beast tips their boat over and attacks, leaving only one survivor - John Besser (Max Phipps).

The next day, ranger and herpetologist Steve Harris (John Jarratt), Oondabund (Burnum Burnum), the leader of a local Aboriginal community, and his second-in-command Adjaral (David Gulpilil) head out to check on the poachers and rescue Besser. Besser, however, vows revenge against the beast.

The beast subsequently attacks and murders an Aboriginal child. Harris is assigned by his boss Rex Garret (Ray Meagher) to kill the beast. However, Oondabund refuses to allow this, revealing to Harris that the beast - named Numunwari - is believed to be a mystical repository of the community's souls.

It then kills a thug at a local harbor. Harris leads a search for it, only to turn up nothing. Harris convinces Oondabund to help him hunt the beast, in exchange for capturing and releasing it downriver away from people in its original home. A reluctant Garret agrees.

Harris, Oondabund, and Adjaral set out hunting the beast along the river. Besser and one of his friends also set out to hunt the beast by trapping it in a net, intending to kill it. However, the beast is able to drag Besser into the water and bites off his arm.

Harris, Oondabund, and Adjaral are able to successfully capture the beast and bring it into the mainland. The trio set to transporting the beast via truck, are unknowingly pursued by Besser and his friends and Harris's girlfriend, Cathy Pope (Nikki Coghill), who intends to warn the trio. They manage to arrive at the beast's home, only for Besser and company to arrive immediately after.

Besser attacks the beast with an axe as it flees into the river, while his friends engage Harris, Oondabund, Pope, and Adjaral in a gunfight. Oondabund is fatally wounded by one of Besser's men, but the others are able to fend them off. Besser loses track of Numunwari in the river and is ambushed by the beast and dragged underwater to his death. Sometime later, Adjaral feeds Oondabund's remains to the beast in accordance with their religion.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

The film was part of a two-picture deal between executive producer Antony I. Ginnane and Hollywood studio RKO, which also included The Lighthorsemen. Shooting took place five weeks in Cairns and one week in Alice Springs, starting 22 April 1986.[4][5]

The plot shares many similarities to Jaws and contains homage shots such as the shot involving a shooting star.

Release

[edit]

The movie was never seen in Australia theatrically and took a long time to be seen on DVD.[4]

Reception

[edit]

Dennis Schwartz of Ozus' World Movie Reviews gave a positive review, calling the film "well-produced and acted, and an intelligent environmental adventure film results."[citation needed]

Quentin Tarantino spoke enthusiastically of the film in the documentary Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation!, commenting "You could re-release Dark Age in 2,000 screenings and people would go see it." In 2009, Tarantino hosted a screening for it in Sydney.[6]

Filmink later said "The phenomenal box office success of Jaws meant producers inevitably looked towards Australia’s deadly fauna as a source of inspiration... In hindsight, it’s actually weird that more films about killer animals weren’t made in the 10BA era."[7]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Australian Productions Top $175 million", Cinema Papers, March 1986 p64
  2. ^ Ed. Scott Murray, Australia on the Small Screen 1970-1995, Oxford Uni Press, 1996 p34
  3. ^ "Memories of Arch Nicholson". Filmnews. New South Wales, Australia. 1 March 1990. p. 5. Retrieved 16 May 2020 – via Trove.
  4. ^ a b David Stratton, The Avocado Plantation: Boom and Bust in the Australian Film Industry, Pan MacMillan, 1990 p302-303
  5. ^ Mallinder, Terry (12 January 2015). "Queensland's horror filled history". Sunshine Coast Daily. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  6. ^ "Dark Age Q & A" Popcorn Taxi 2009 Archived 22 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine accessed 1 November 2012
  7. ^ Vagg, Stephen (29 February 2020). "Top Ten 10BA Knock Offs". Filmink.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Dark_Age_(film)&oldid=1260181974"