The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith (1978)
Recommended for mature audiences
| Director: | Fred Schepisi |
| Actors: | Jack Thompson, Bryan Brown, Ray Barrett, John Jarratt, Ruth Cracknell, Ray Meagher |
Jimmie (Tommy Lewis) is a half-caste young Aboriginal man raised by a Methodist minister in central-western NSW. Finding low-paid work with white farmers, Jimmy marries a white servant girl who is believed to be carrying his child. Discovering that the child is not his, Jimmy is forbidden from seeing his wife and fired without pay and finally explodes in a fury of violent revenge. His flight across NSW, and his ultimate capture months later, is exquisitely portrayed in this Australian cinema masterpiece.
| Status: | LongWait |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 120mins |
| Origin: | AUSTRALIA |
| Aspect Ratio: | 16:9 |
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Member Reviews (3)
3 Member
Reviews
Andrew
says
Very much ahead of its time and contains some fine performances, particularly from the indigenous actors. It's confronting and brutal in places, and challenges the viewer to "pick a side", but what it really shows is the tragedy on both sides. If you are a fan of Australian cinema, it is well worth watching.
Alex H
says
Poor Jimmy Blacksmith thought he is going to make it in the prejudiced world of his white betters. In spite of his positive and pleasant nature he is being tripped up where ever he goes. Finaly, when he marries a white girl who bears him a white child from another man he goes on an uncontrolled rapmage.
gerd
says
"Angry young man" comes to mind watching this story. The movie implies we should sympathise because of how he was treated. But terrorists always use that argument. The film presents the mixed images of aboriginal society - drunken slobs and a rich cultural heritage - as in many other movies, and which probably has not changed much in reality. Geographically the movie suggests Border Ranges rainforest right next to Girraween granite boulders - they are a long way apart!