Loosely based on actual events (a bit of the legendary
"Backpacker Murders” case committed by Ivan Milat between 1989
and 1992, and also a smidge of the NT’s Falconio case),
first-timer Greg McLean’s film tells of two British backpackers
(Aussies Cassandra Magrath and Kestie Morassi), who with their new
Aussie pal (Nathan Phillips), find themselves stuck in the middle of
nowhere – they’re visiting the site of a meteor crash in a
barren area known as ‘Wolf Creek’ – when their car
mysteriously gives up. Out of the dark, appears Mick (John
Jarratt), a seemingly risk-free country-hick who offers to tow their
broken-down car back to his place. They reluctantly agree. He seems a
little wacky, but that’s all. After a camp-fire chat with
the generous fix-it man, the threesome fall asleep – but when
they wake up, one’s tied up, another’s nailed to a wall and
one’s being used as a target for the demented hick’s
shooting. Um, Run?! A low-budget – it reportedly cost about a million bucks – entwine of story and scares, Wolf Creek
isn’t only one of the most well-written Australian films in
years, it’s one of the most entertaining. Most surprisingly,
it’s also a horror film – something the local
industry’s not exactly renowned for (anyone remember, Cut (2000) or Houseboat Horror (1989)?), unless it’s a B-offering made wholly to keep the bottom shelves at Blockbuster warm. Yes, it is the template of every other youngsters run into a psycho in the middle of nowhere movie (think Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Wrong Turn, House of 1000 Corpses or the recent House of Wax)
but, unlike it’s lineage, it’s done well: it’s got
memorable characters (we spend half the movie getting to know them
before the scares kick in), a compelling storyline, a petrifying
villain and an inexorable amount of nail-biting tension and jumps.
There’s a few spine-chilling moments in here that may well be
responsible for a future bout of wakefulness. In short,
writer/producer/director McLean’s film will have Wes Craven
bowing his head in shame. It’s that good. John Jarratt, best known as the happy-go-lucky tool man from TV’s Better Homes and Gardens,
gives a very unsettling performance as the truly terrifying nut-job.
With his disquieting stares, kooky sense of humour, whopping hat,
shotgun and discernible pick-up, he’s a character you’ll
never forget. Jarratt deserves an award for such an against-type
performance – he’s remarkable. As the youngsters, Morassi (Strange Bedfellows), Magrath (SeaChange) and Phillips (You and Your Stupid Mate)
are all at the top of their game – the two females especially
with their flawless put-on Brit accents. You really get to know these
guys, and when the monsters on their tail – you are truly rooting
for them. Frank Tetaz’s music adds a lot to the film too,
helping cracking up the tension, and the film’s cinematography is
simply dazzling – making full use of the lavish South Australian
locations. What McLean’s done here is take a tired
storyline and spruce it up by injecting indisputably impulsive scares,
grand performances and a healthy dose of character. Wolf Creek
– come for the sights, stay for the scares. Two star
Accommodation available in crackpot’s tin shed. Free beverage on
arrival. You’ll sleep like a Baby under the stars, and run like a
gazelle from a croc in the daylight. Cash, Credit Card and Spleen
accepted. DVD
Extras
Roadshow has slapped together a pretty sweet 2-disc set here. On
the first disc, there's an enlightening commentary from director
McLean, producer Matt Hearn and actors Cassandra Magrath and Kestie
Morassi. The girls don't have a lot to say - except that they
improvised a lot of their roles - instead leaving the men to keep us
interested and clued up. On Disc 2, there's a 50-minute documentary that chronicles the making
of the movie (covering nearly every aspect, including : casting,
locations, some behind-the-scenes junk, troubles they faced on the
shoot, how they milked every cent of the budget, interviews with
behind-the-scenes folk and more), a poignant 20-minute interview with
Jarratt (who you'll discover is nothing like Mick Taylor, or 'Mike'
Taylor as the DVD sleeve incorrectly labelled the feature), and a
couple of cut scenes. Conclusion:
Movie 80% Extras: 80% 
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