JohnHowardReid Review of The Naked Country

The Naked Country (1985)

Disappointing movie based on Morris West's novel

[4/10 · 26 July 2014]

Grandly photographed by David Eggby on locations in North Queensland, this movie is tied down by Tim Burstall's rather dull direction. Most of the dialogue scenes and all the scenes involving aboriginal people are too stiffly paced for comfort. Many shots are held far too long. Normally this fault could be traced to the movie's editor, but in this case, the director insisted that the individual shots be held long enough to really sink into the audience's consciousness. Another problem is that Bruce Smeaton – normally a first-class composer – has contributed a very banal and most disappointing music score. As for the acting, it is variable at best. The station boss is especially disappointing.