Long Weekend

Peter (John Hargreaves) and Marcia (Briony Behets) are having marriage difficulties. Well, ok, their marriage is nearly over. Peter drags Marcia on a camping trip to the (very isolated) Aussie seashore. Along the way, the troubled couple spend most of their time fighting (they have a secret) and abusing nature in the same callous way that they treat each other. Slowly, subtly, nature begins to exact retribution. Peter and Marcia are so busy hurting and blaming each other that they hardly notice the ever-growing menace around them. Like a tightening slipknot, the creatures close in. LONG WEEKEND has an inexplicable atmosphere of impending doom, like a coming disaster. It's not your typical "nature's revenge" movie (Frogs, Prophecy, etc.). In LW, the danger grows in proportion to what we learn about Peter and Marcia's true character and history. A classic...

(That's for you fellow kids of the 70s) Peter and Marcia (not the Brady kids) head to the beach for a weekend camping trip together. Their marriage is not all it could be and some time together might remedy that. Along the way, Peter litters, carelessly starts a fire with a discarded cigarette butt and shoots his gun indiscriminately. Paradoxically, he also stops his car when he inadvertently hits a kangaroo with his car (this is Australia), buries a beached sea lion and castigates Marcia after she destroys an eagle's egg. What to make of this Peter? It is not as though he is intentionally destructive; rather, he is simply very inconsiderate, acting without thinking of his consequences. He is also very selfish, as we find out through his interactions with Marcia. While she is still convalescing, he drags her along on this camping trip rather than staying at an inn as she had wanted. Then he rigs the car so she cannot drive it and forces her to stay much longer than she wants. Sound li... Read more

Long Weekend is an atmospheric "scary" movie from 1977. It was made in Australia and although it carries a PG rating there is some violence, adult themes, and nudity so mature viewing is recommended. This is the kind of film that starts off so-so, gets you wondering "Where is this movie taking me?", and all of a sudden you're sucked in by the atmosphere of it and wondering, "How is this going to end?" The movie centers on a married couple (basically the only two characters in the movie) and their camping trip in the Outback to help get the stress out of their marriage. Their weekend does not evolve the way they planned. It's all about the journey in watching this movie so don't let anyone spoil a single scene. By the halfway point when they're driving along the beach you'll be on the edge of your seat. The DVD also contains a few extras including a decent commentary track that reveals a bit from the film-makers on how they delivered "the goods". The closest thing I can ... Read more