Samson and Delilah (2009)

A wonderfully made Aussie movie to confront and remind us of the plight of these people. Something's are their own doing and some are not. They start on the back foot and never catch up. Definitely worth watching esp if your into art house or indi movies. Don't bother if all you want is action and to be spoon fed.

This was one of the most confronting & depressing movies I've ever seen. Recommended but lock away all the gin & guns!

Original, clever film of these people's lives.

I agree with some of the previous reviewers. The film is very firmly based in a bleak reality (except for the ending that was added on request of the young actors who wanted a positive, "hope inspiring ending"). The DVD contains several extra features such as interviews with the director and "Making of...", etc. I liked the landscapes of Central Australia and the character of Nana who actually is a real Pintjubi (?) lady, (not able to speak much English). Overall the film is Of interest for people who want to know a bit more about real life in remote Aboriginal communities. Yes, you will remember it.

Really unusual movie but you will remember it.

Very memorable movie, quite depressing

A revealing tale of young people who grow up in remote Aboriginal communities without any prospects. The two main characters are flung together by necessity which is not helped by their inability to communicate. Well acted but not captivating as a lot is not explained, especially regarding their thoughts and hopes. There are some wonderful shots of central Australia which contrasts with the bleakness of life there.

It just needed some talking so we understand more what they were going through we know the girl could talk .... just a slow movie

Loved it. Very powerful.

As previous reviewers have written, yes, there is little dialogue, and the movie progresses slowly, BUT that's the whole point of this movie. It's like watching a train crash in slow-motion and being helpless on the sidelines but unable to look away. For the majority of Australians who have never been to a remote Indigenous community - welcome to reality. Hard to watch, purely because it makes you uncomfortable.

Like watching grass grow! absolutely terrible - don't waste your time

Very slow and boring.

Although there was not a lot of dialogue, the actors were able to clearly show the plight they faced as so many other Aboriginal people do today. I "enjoyed" the opportunity of viewing an Aboriginal community and gaining a deeper understanding of the lifestyle there and the difficulties faced. The contrast between the life in the community and the city and the problems they faced in both was highlighted. The actors did a great job and the movie was one all Australians should see.

Different - but nicely filmed. Samson and Delilah offers an excellent portrayal of the issues faced by many indigenous people.

Inspiring story, glad I watched it, found it uplifting but also quite depressing as an indictment of Australian society not being able to find timely solutions to problems created.

hmmmm poor kids... really gave an insight in their plight.. they were like aliens from another planet when they arrived in the city.... and so little help available and everyone using htem... A very good movie bec it conveys its message very well

Very raw and educational view of real life experiences. Its amazing how a movie can convey such a strong message with so little verbal dialect. It would make a great study tool for young people, who not only take their lives for granted, but also have absolutely no understanding of our own native Australians.

A sad and disturbing film, with two fine young actors, showing us the harsh reality of life for young Indigenous people. The Director skillfully mixed humour and tragedy in a rare glimpse into a culture that westerners rarely see.

would have been a better movie if there was more speaking in it was,nt very impressed

The movie itself was a bit slow but really thought provoking. Poor bastards.

Sampson and Delilah is a deep look into the apparent hopelessness of adolescent life in a remote indigenous community. It's a bit depressing, perhaps a bit too real for us white folk to confront. Nonetheless, the scarcity of dialect along with the constant in-your-face drug dependancy make it a very compelling story, and beautifully told in it's way.

a very disturbing dark movie! unfortunately the subtitles were partially obscured by the bottom of the TV. A quite hoest prtrayal of life in some of the aboriginal communities! A real eye opener for some people, having lived up north and out west I found a lot of it to be quite accurate! Not a pretty picture and I am surprised that it got through the Aboriginal and Island censors! Definitely unsuitable for people under 18!

This was like watching paint dry. I was watching it at work on my computer and I was ecstatic when it froze and I couldn't get it to play. Can you imagine a movie where nobody even speaks. Negative 5 if I could.

I really enjoyed this Australian movie, not much dialogue to it, but if your on the right wave length it is a very moving story.

When I read the Blurb about this movie I thought it would be a good choice. After I started watching it, I began to get very frustrated as there is no verbal communication between the 2 main characters

This movie was not what I expected. It is very slow, has little dialogue and portrays a very confronting view of life for the two lead characters, which I'm sure sadly is all too real. It is a hard movie to watch, particularly when used to the typical Hollywood style movie. However I felt I gained something from watching it and would recommend it. Although in my opinion the writers/directors choice to make the two lead characters virtually mute is to the detriment of the movie.

Every Aussie must watch this and be concerned-----------Once were Warriers Oz style,

Realistic look at life in a remote Aboriginal community - YES Love story - NO Depressing movie - YES Unfortunately I don't rate this movie very highly at all. It made me very depressed watching it and the supposed 'love story' was no where to be seen. The relationship was more likely based on 'being in the same place at the same time' than love. Not one to recommend

Very simple BUT so enjoyable. Loved it.

A provocative look at life for our indigenous brothers and sisters.

WOW!!! If there is a film that you should see this year, then its "Samson and Delilah" You only have to look at the list of Awards that this beautiful film has won to know that its right; AFI Award; Asia Pacific Award; Australian Screen Editors Guild Award; and Best Film Brazil. The filming is so personal and close, the dialogue is minimal but poignant. The acting is world class from two young Aboriginal actors who have never had a lesson in their lives. Certainly one of the best films to come out of Australia, ever! A DVD that is a must for every collection.

If you are looking for hollywood flic then go elsewhere. Excellent movie and wonderful characters. Maybe a bit slow and repetitive in parts but made up for by the selection of scenes which told a very moving and real story. The lack of dialogue wasn't an issue as the story was too engrossing.

One of the worst movie I and my family have ever seen. It was so slow we kept having to fast forward all the time and there was hardly any speaking throught out the movie.

Addiction, co-dependence, family, love, the boredom of lives with little meaning in them, humour in the face of adversity, exploitation and reggae music; all touched on in a compassionate and unique way. Minimal dialogue, but with some interesting use of sounds in the background. I loved the constant sound or car tyres driving over the bridge in Alice Springs while the characters were sitting under it and the windmill creaking towards the end. This grew on me as I watched it.

Suprisingly a very good movie. Definitely worth a watch. Is slow and steady but very captivating and a bit sad, eye opener even for me

It is not often that one can watch a movie with so little dialogue and be left with so much to think about. This movie is about two people who loved and cared for each in a very deep and unique way. Such a simple and great movie.

This is not a movie for those that like traditional Hollywood fare. It is a bleak and depressing depiction of the struggles many indigenous Australians face and perhaps an indictment on the lack of apparent support available. It doesn't white-bash or take sides. I think it would be important for all Australians to see this - especially ahead of that Baz Luhrman version of outback Australia. The young actors are tremendous and the lack of dialogue reinforces the difficulty they have in communicating with each other and the world at large. 4 and a half stars.

Well directed.It's from the heart. It shows the plight of our indigineous people of central Aust. which in a way is quite disturbing. It highlights the trauma of alcohol abuse,sniffing petrol, and the hopeless,boring existence of these people whom live in a dusty,dirty and unhealthy environment. Maybe there is a movie in the future to show someone from this region who has risen above it all, to find happiness with a drug and alcohol free existence.

This movie is terrible!! Boring from beginning to the very end! I would hardly call this a love story as it has been potrayed. Samson barely even notices Delilah at times because he is too busy worrying about getting his next sniff of petrol. Highly overrated!!!!

This was a real eye opener, so sad in such a powerful way and incredibly thought prevoking. Considering the budget and the circumstances it was made under, i was extremely impressed (ended up buying it too). A great and powerful Aussie independant film!

This film is like a bear dancing; the interest is not in the quality of the dance but in the fact that is is done at all.

There is a review by Chris Tookey quoted on Wikipedia with which I totally agree. I recommend you to read it at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samson_and_Delilah_%282009_film%29#Reception

Over rated, although I thought the actors were very good considering the limited and unexplored script they were given.

Rowan McNamara, (Sampson), and Marissa Gibson, (Delilah), present a more than competent portrayal of a warts and all look at a young couple living in Central Australia, dealing with the business of survival in a world that seems to kick them in the butt at every turn. I became totally engrossed with the realistic journey of the teenagers which brought a smile to the lips and a tear to the eye on more than one occasion. Other cast members ably support the stars to gives us small and realistic peek into the culture of this group of Australians. I highly recommend this film.

very amazing with hardly any dialouge, feels like a silent film but the score is what makes this film and adds a lot more to this film. the acting is great with hardly any words and what a ending. just a different Australia film. it was very interesting.

It's so true - and there are so many Samson

A hard movie to watch.

A wonderful story about love in a remote indigenous community.

this movie was as boring as watching paint dry..would not recommend you waste 97min of your time...and the ending was a disaster!! very very disappointing..very surprised it made it onto DVD!

Bleak drama but ultimately rewarding. Lack of dialogue is compensated through strong emotions of the two leads.

Every Australian should see this film, pity most wont. It's difficult to watch, yet gripping. This is happening on our doorstep, yet we choose to ignore it. Brilliant film, possibly Australia's best.

The beauty was what they didn't say to each other, everything between the lines. You really felt the bleakness and mediocrity in this film. Touching and very real. There was such chemistry between them, despite her indignation and his nonchalance.

This is an exceptional film on a number of levels - the cinematography of Australia's Red (dead) Heart, the lack of dialogue, the bleakness of the prospects for indigenous youth and the refusal to blame whitefellas solely for the plight of aborigines. The story is touching without sentimentality. It is flawed, though. Where are the mangy camp dog that infest indigenous communiies? Where are the screaming drunks? The domestic violence? Warwick Thorton has been a little lazy, relying on white stereotypes (the storeowner ripping off Kitty for her art, the snotty art shop manager, the uncharitable cafe dwellers, etc) and black stereotypes (the heart-of-gold drunk, the band, nanna). These are expected flaws because Thornton isn't trying to answer questions; but simply to paint his impression of contemporary indigenous youth. This might be a shocking portrayal for some southern viewers - third world conditions in our own country? This is recommended viewing for that insight alone...and you will challenged by the sparseness of the script and the live it echoes.

Good film but what is all the fuss about. I enthuse with the plight of the aboriginals but just because the facts are brought into our lounge rooms, it becomes sensational?????. Hand held cameras, lack of dialogue

Obviously a lot of fuss over this movie many awards won etc. I found it very difficult to rate because it is so very diverse . There was minimal dialogue throughout the movie between the two main characters and some of the acting was very basic especially the character of ???gonzo.??? The movie had its faults but what was so different was the fact we rarely see a movie about aboriginals living in such appalling conditions, a real shock for some people I suggest, hence the films current prominence. The scenery is unusually spectacular, there was a glimmer of hope in the end of the movie but the violence /glue sniffing/ living conditions/ overall aboriginal culture is raw, powerful and disturbing. In some instances and for numerous reasons the living conditions (currently accurate in many locations up North ) depicted in the movie are a national disgrace and support the claim of ???who is looking after the children???. I recommend this movie and suggest many similar formats will now flood the market due to its success. Perhaps then things might improve once the Government of the day gets embarrassed? Look forward to reading what other members think !

This is the greatest movie Australia has produced. Every Australian should see this to understand the suffering that happens in our own backyard, a suffering while is generally ignore by the majority of the 'lucky country'.

Great. There isnt much talking through the whole movie, but there dosnt have to be. A very emotionally moving film. Goood.

Thought arousing despite little dialogue, this bleak teenage love story shot with disturbing candor in a desolate central Australian desert community wasn’t made for “they-lived-happily-ever-after” escapist viewers. Those seeking parallels with the biblical story won’t find much similarity either, except there is a cutting of hair--after a loss of strength, not before. What shines forth is emotion loaded acting by the two young Aboriginal stars, forced on a journey of survival that tests their caring commitment to one another. Images are mostly grotty, depicting squalid housing, petrol sniffing and the barrenness of the protagonist’s lives, yet the film’s ambience is more forgiving. It encompasses despair, humour, cheerfulness, and sadness, finally resting on a gritty glint of promise.