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Everlyn Sampi, Tianna Sansbury, Laura Monaghan, David Gulpilil, Kenneth Branagh ... see more see more... , Deborah Mailman , Jason Clarke , Ningali Lawford , Myarn Lawford , Garry McDonald , Roy Billing , Andrew S. Gilbert , Ken Radley , Evelyn Sampi

After directing a number of major motion pictures in the United States, Australian-born filmmaker Phillip Noyce returned home to make this remarkable adventure-drama, based on a true story as well as ... read more read more...a lamentable period in his nation's history. When European settlers first arrived in Australia, there was an almost immediate conflict between the recent arrivals and the nation's indigenous people, whose rich cultural heritage which bore little resemblance to that of the Europeans. By the mid-19th century, when white settlers had gained political control of the continent, many aborigines found themselves removed from their lands and their children taken from them, under the belief that the youngsters would be better off in a more "civilized" environment. Through most of the 20th century, it was official government policy that half- or quarter-caste indigenous children were to be taken from their families and raised as "white" children in orphanages, where they would be trained to work as domestic servants or laborers. In 1931, Molly (Everlyn Sampi) and her younger sister Daisy (Tianna Sansbury) and cousin Gracie (Laura Monaghan) were three half-caste children from Western Australia who were taken from their parents under government edict and sent to an institution, where they were subject to physical and emotional abuse as they were taught to forget their families, their culture, and their lives up to that point and re-invent themselves as members of "white" Australian society. Gracie and Daisy cling to Molly for support, and Molly decides they need to return to their parents. Molly plans a daring escape, and the three girls begin an epic journey back to Western Australia, travelling 1,500 miles on foot with no food or water, and navigating by following the fence that has been build across the nation to stem an over-population of rabbits. A.O. Neville (Kenneth Branagh), the government functionary in charge of relocating Western Australia's aborigines, takes a special interest in the case of the three girls, and brings in a veteran tracker, Moodoo (David Gulpilil) to help find them, secure in the belief he's acting in their best interest. Rabbit-Proof Fence was based on the acclaimed book by Doris Pilkington Garimara, whose Aunt Daisy was one of the three children who made the extraordinary journey and helped her with the research for the book. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

84% liked it

22,333 ratings

Critics

87% liked it

134 critics

PG, 1 hr. 34 min.

Directed by: Phillip Noyce

Release Date: November 29, 2002

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DVD Release Date: April 15, 2003

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Stats: 1,474 reviews

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Deborah Mailman as Mavis in Rabbit-Proof Fence 2002 Rabbit-Proof Fence Rabbit-Proof Fence Rabbit-Proof Fence Rabbit-Proof Fence Rabbit-Proof Fence Tianna Sansbury
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Flixster Reviews (1,474)

  • fb701560354
    March 25, 2011
    fb701560354
    Rabbit-Proof Fence is visually stunning, well-acted film telling of the racism by the British against the Aboriginal peoples of Australia in the 1930's. It's an emotional, heart-breaking jouney enhanced by a haunting and beautiful score by Peter Gabriel.
  • 76Majikat
    August 15, 2010
    76Majikat
    A powerful true story revealing a time in Australian history known as "The Stolen Nation".

    A gutsy focus on one family and their courage to evade their government forced destinies.

    Great perforrmances all around.
  • erika250
    August 7, 2010
    erika250
    Really good plot.
  • webalina
    February 11, 2010
    webalina
    Up until 1970, the Australian government took it upon themselves to take "half-castes (the Australian term for mixed Aboriginal/Caucasian children) from their homes in sanctioned kidnappings, in a midguided attempt to "civilize" them. There was also a more sinister reason -- to "... read morebreed the black" out of them, and to train them as servants and laborers. Many of these children never saw their families again. These children are now known as "The Stolen Generation".

    This film is the true story of three young girls who experience this fate, only to escape and travel 1200 miles through the Outback ON FOOT back to their village, with the police in hot pursuit. At times heartbreaking, anger-provoking and uplifting, the mind reels at the difficulties these children -- aged 8, 11 and 14 -- must have faced on their journey. But I'm sure they believed it was nothing compared to what they faced back at the compound -- poor living conditions in dormitories not much more than huts and packed with other children, abusive caretakers, rigid rules and physical discipline for any infractions, and basically treatment not much above animals. The trip the girls make after their capture -- locked in a cage in the cargo hold of a train -- vividly demonstrates that fact, and is painful to watch. And when they escape, they are pursued by "Tracker", a man on a horse with hunting dogs.

    The three children in the lead roles are entirely convincing, and I just wanted to pick them up and take them to their mother myself. The only reasons I didn't give this film five stars are that it moves rather slowly at times, and Kenneth Branagh was distracting to me as the only recognizable actor in a sea of (at least to me) unknowns. I defy anyone to watch this film and not be moved by it. Oh, and "rabbit-proof fence" is just what it says -- a fence to keep out rabbits. It however plays a major role in the film.
  • ScoopOnline
    December 13, 2009
    ScoopOnline
    A daring escape. An epic journey. The true story of 3 girls who walked 1500 miles to find their way home.
  • bbcfloridabound
    July 29, 2009
    bbcfloridabound
    One of the best films I have seen this month and it ranks up there with some of the best films I have seen lifetime. This is about the 1930 time frame when Aboriginal boys and girls were taken away from there parents if the were have breeds, part white part Aboriginal. This is a... read more true story about a 13 year old girl with her cousin 11 and sister 8, who trek across Australia after being taken from their parents and put in a White Training School, more like a prison camp. They escape and trek 1500 miles back home. The ending is the coolest where the real people make a cameo appearance. This didn't get the play time in America that it should have. 5 Stars nothing less.
  • dreamfaeries
    September 12, 2008
    dreamfaeries
    Heartbreaking... this just makes me so mad about what they did. Poor Stolen Generation...
  • fb619846742
    July 20, 2007
    fb619846742
    A great, heart felt film dealing with a persecuted people and how they battled their troubles. A great, great story, with a moving ending.
  • puffchunk
    January 25, 2007
    puffchunk
    Cool film showing the power of determination for loved ones.
  • sanjurosamurai
    January 22, 2007
    sanjurosamurai
    really fascinating, based on the realities of life for many in austrailia not so long ago, independant but well done

View All Rabbit-Proof Fence Reviews

Critic Reviews

Michael Booth
February 8, 2008
Michael Booth, Denver Post

[Director Phillip] Noyce shows their awful, eventually uplifting journey without flinching, and the arid Australian wilderness is a co-star of the film. Full Review

Jay Boyar
January 23, 2003
Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel

Noyce trusts the power of the story to move us. He knows that, like the girls themselves, we'll find our way along Rabbit-Proof Fence.

Desson Thomson
January 6, 2003
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

It certainly has its moving moments.

Joe Baltake
January 3, 2003
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

The final shot in the film is one that you won't soon forget. Full Review

Ann Hornaday
December 27, 2002
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

Searing dramatization of a story of remarkable courage, stamina and spirit.

Bill Muller
December 27, 2002
Bill Muller, Arizona Republic

Many movies claim to illuminate the human spirit, but Rabbit-Proof Fence actually delivers.

Wesley Morris
December 26, 2002
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe

Essentially, Noyce just wants to tell a good story, which he does. Full Review

Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
December 26, 2002
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The movie may sound like a yawn: Three girls walk through wind and rain and scrub brush to get back where they belong. But it's not. Full Review

James Berardinelli
December 26, 2002
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

One of 2002's most memorable imports. Full Review

Jonathan Curiel
December 25, 2002
Jonathan Curiel, San Francisco Chronicle

Nearly everything about Rabbit-Proof Fence is astonishing. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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    • A.O. Neville: If only they would understand what we are trying to do for them.
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Rabbit-Proof Fence Trivia

  • Which of the following is a true fact about the movie 'Rabbit-Proof Fence'  Answer »
  • Which movie's tagline is: If you were kidnapped by the government, would you walk the 1500 miles back home?'  Answer »
  • In which film do three Aboriginal girls walk home from a settlement for 'half-castes' 1200 miles away?  Answer »
  • How far do 3 young girls travel on foot across Australia in Rabbit-Proof Fence?  Answer »
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