Walkabout: The Criterion Collection [Blu-ray]

The 2010 Criterion edition of this remarkable film includes a commentary track and a couple of new interviews with Jenny Agutter and Luc Roeg (billed as "Lucien John" in the film), and these do contribute to our appreciation of it; but the real bonus here is the hour-long documentary on the life of David Gulpilil, who made his screen debut here and went on to many other films. He is one of those rare people with the ability to cross the cultural barriers which are so realistically presented in Walkabout -- and the "One Red Blood" documentary also shows how much this has cost him, indeed how much the colonial invasion from Europe has cost indigenous people everywhere.

Walkabout is just as unusual and disturbing today as it was in 1971. It shines an almost painfully bright light on European-derived civilization by contrasting it with the aboriginal -- yet does not idealize life in the outback at all. Life is harsh on both sides of the divide, as Roeg shows clearly by intercutting ironic parallels between them, and the tragic/ironic ending follows quite naturally from the lack of communication across that divide between the two adolescents. Yet the potential for joy and beauty also comes across, in moments all the more poignant because they are so fleeting.

In the commentary track (recorded in 1996), Roeg comments that the word "entertainment" has become debased in our culture, to the point where it now means "distraction". This film is disturbing, but certainly not distracting. It's right on target.

The star rating is for the seller, BonnieScotland, not the movie.

I love this movie and have wanted a copy for years. I finally ordered, but am very disappointed. I purchased this DVD on Amazon Canada from BonnieScotland. The DVD will not play in Canada and US. I was in contact with BonnieScotland regarding this and although they claimed that this is mentioned on the Amazon site, it isn't. They offered to refund my money if I returned the item, but the return would be more than my refund. I will take the loss.

Be wary.

Walkabout is introduced in the film as an important period in the life of an Aborigine. A time at the age of sixteen or so that the man-child must survive in the bush by himself for six months. If he survives he is a man, if not...well he really isn't anything because he's probably dead. Going into the film my understanding of Walkabout was sort of a break from white society into the traditional Aboriginal lifestyle for a period of time. The other use of Walkabout that I have heard is in reference to a British Monarch or some higher level of person walking around greeting folks in the public. Director Nicholas Roeg seems to understand the various uses of this word as well and ties them in with the maturation of the film's core characters. The parallels make for some very exciting social commentary and the film subtly layers itself and it's characters further and further. For that, Roeg's film in perspective can be seen as two very different kinds of films and split it's audience enormously. One crowd may say that Walkabout is extremely slow and boring while the other crowd will hail the film as a fantastic artistic achievement. Understandably so for both sides I suppose, but I do count myself among the latter group.

Walkabout follows two young English kids, one a fourteen-year-old girl and the other a six-year-old boy (I think) as they are abandoned in the middle of the vast Australian outback. The abandonment itself is quite perplexing and I was fairly confused as to how it was handled, but you'll see that addressing those unanswered questions is not what Roeg's film sets out to do at all. Placing these children's survival in the arms of a 16 year old aborigine during his Walkabout is the stage that needs to be set to allow for some far more interesting questions that the audience can ask themselves about how we are all living. To paraphrase Lucas Haas in Tim Burton's "Mars Attacks", I wish we could all just live in Tee-pees...it would be better that way. Who doesn't wield an idealistic anarcho-primitivist message deep in their hearts? It also makes some outstanding observations on maturing into manhood and womanhood. Anyway, let those inquiries enter your brain how you like, but know that this is a smart film that calls for some patience in exchange for it's great rewards. I'm getting a little fuzzy here and I really don't want to urge my own observations on you.

There are aspects besides its pace that will turn some viewers away. Firstly, the violence against animals is real and pretty hard, so PETA activists beware. Secondly, it was PG when it came out but the nudity shown here from Agutter is actually too graphic for R ratings today. Thirdly; again, this film is not exactly box office gold with its lower budget and slower pace, so if you find yourself unable to sit through films that don't contain explosions or CGI then you should pass as well.

In a simple concluding scene that hits hard for me, the girl is now older and married, and she remembers back to when she didn't understand the things she knows now. It's a simple, melancholy and I believe universal feeling that's part of growing up. Perhaps she loved the aboriginal boy that saved her life and she couldn't understand his advances as a child. Perhaps she would now be willing to cross into that culture as she sees the truth now. Then again, maybe she was just reflecting on what is no doubt a very unique and significant experience to her. Something those who surround her in adulthood could never fully understand. It's a wonderful film and Roeg pulls no punches to give us everything he has and everything he intends to show us.

Many celebrate Walkabout for it's cinematography, and deservably so as its among the most beautifully shot films of it's time...but it's a lot more than that. Walkabout is sad, compelling and thoughtful. I'm glad to see Criterion recognize it with this DVD.