The Last Wave

About The Last Wave

The Last Wave, directed by the acclaimed Australian filmmaker Peter Weir, was released in 1977. This atmospheric movie is an amalgamation of mystery, legal drama, and a surreal gears-turning climax. The plot follows David Burton, a Sydney lawyer, who finds himself embroiled in a murder case involving a group of Aboriginal men. As the case progresses, Burton experiences strange apocalyptic visions that appear to be connected with a prophesied cataclysmic event. This pressurizes the dynamics between the cultural constructs of western law and Aboriginal spirituality.

Making / Production

The film was produced by Hal McElroy and Jim McElroy and the screenplay was written by Peter Weir, Tony Morphett, and Petru Popescu. Serving as the third feature directed by Weir, the film features arresting cinematography by Russell Boyd and a haunting score by Charles Wain.

Actors

• Richard Chamberlain plays the role of David Burton, a tax lawyer turned defender, convincingly showcasing a man caught between skepticism and burgeoning belief.
• David Gulpilil portrayed the role of Chris Lee, an Aboriginal man, revealing a stoic character carrying the weight of his people's prophecy.
• Olivia Hamnett performed as Annie Burton, David's wife, playing a pivotal role in making Burton's emotional and psychological shift palpable.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• This is one of the earliest films to introduce the powerful actor David Gulpilil to international audiences.
• This film marks Peter Weir's exploration into metaphysical questions, a theme that has become a cornerstone of his oeuvre.
• While shooting certain scenes of the film, actual rain was used instead of artificial rain machines.

Awards

The film was nominated for the Golden Bear at the 28th Berlin International Film Festival.

Quotes

• "Everyone has a dream. All you've got to do is find out what it is." - David Burton
• "Your real fear is not the reality of my death, but the unreality of your own life." - Chris Lee

Music, Soundtrack

• Charles Wain created the spine-tingling score to heighten the film's overall eerie atmosphere.
• The movie's soundtrack incorporates traditional Aboriginal melodies, adding to the sense of mystery and looming disaster.