Nice dark messy film. Part war film, part back woods horror/survival thriller that’s sparked off when an arrogant group of National Guardsmen befoul a group of Louisiana swamp people. One by one the group is picked off in a game of wits. This film doesn’t pull any punches, and it leaves you feeling as dirty as it looks. The finale is also absolutely riveting, even if the pace getting there is a little off at times.

Phillip Noyce crafts an interesting Australian road movie here. Not seen in the US in a good long while, I was in attendance when it was screened by the Film Society of Lincoln Center in January. I really liked it to be honest. It perhaps doesn’t leave one with the idea that Australia was that welcome of a place to outsiders… or natives… or women. But it is a really acted early film, and I loved Gary Foley’s tragic performance.