Benutzerrezensionen

Let me start by saying it has been about 8 or 9 years since I last saw the Quest, but I still remember it fondly.

Henry Thomas, soon after his performance as "Elliot" in E.T., finds himself living with relatives in Australia after his parents pass on. He soon begins to investigate a local legend called the "Dahnk-a-gin" (or something like that...), a fierce loch-ness-monster style beast living in an old quarry that has been flooded.

As a child, I was always very inquisitive and imaginative, and loved to explore old buildings and creepy places, so this movie appealed to me greatly. The area surrounding the flooded quarry is littered with scrap metal, beat up shacks, and a cool broken down 50's car that just call to the exploring spirit.

During some scenes, Henry rides the railroad using a modified bicycle that could lock onto the railroad tracks... start pedaling, and off you go! I always wanted one of those...

Anyway, check out the Quest, and see if it doesn't sweep you up in it's imaginative spell!

'The Quest' is how this Australian production is named in the USA. In Australia it is titled 'Frog Dreaming'. In the UK it was ridiculously called 'The Go-Kids'. For me, the most appropriate title is 'Frog Dreaming' (it's the one which identifies most with it) but 'The Quest' also suits it well.

The star of this movie is Henry Thomas. There's no denying that he was much more than just "Elliott". He was a very capable actor and one of the few child actors who grew up without trashing his life and that is one thing that I admire on him.

Henry Thomas is Cody, a very determined boy with a strong will for adventure. So determined and adventurous that he doesn't hesitate to take great risks to find the mystery of the monster-like thing on a dangerous and creepy pond, even if that implies disobeying orders or advices.

While the movie is predictable, it is entertaining and has a great deal of adventure. Henry Thomas, once again, offers a great performance (here as an adolescent and with an already changed voice).

What enchanted me the most was the beauty of the exotic Australian scenario, all natural settings and a reminder of the healthy habits and adventures kids had back in the good old days, a completely different reality from today's deplorable habits and ideas of "fun".

This is much more of an adventure movie but it also has some dark and sinister moments, which are creepier for being at night.

I got an IMDb account specifically to review this movie; if that tells you anything. Before the internet existed, and then before torrents become viable, I had no luck finding it after watching it once as a rental; the other "The Quest" kept getting in my way. I spent a lot of time searching for a copy of this. It's difficult to explain the movie to people who aren't familiar with it, and the premise isn't so hot on paper. Objectively, it's not an AAA title, but it just might be my favorite film. There is a mythic quality to it; some primeval fascination - from the standpoint of an evolutionary biologist, I would say that there was good reason for our ancestors to pay a lot of attention to strange bubbles and ripples in the water, and perhaps for that reason, the mystery at the heart of this movie is eerie and compelling. Dreamlike is the best word for this movie - it doesn't make a great deal of sense, but it is invested with some cryptic and deeply felt meaning; like a strange recurring dream.

Structurally it really is similar to both E.T., the Goonies and in a way Stand By Me; it has a little bit of star wars to it in terms of feel and aesthetic. The setting, the music, and the strange little premise take it away from those more familiar reference points and into a very strange place.

Yes, this movie was peculiar. Yes, the plot was sort of strange and a bit difficult to follow the first time around ... that is why we watched it many times !

The boy is a great inventor, and goes exploring strange things in this lake... and I thought the movie was just very mysterious and exciting as a kid.

I just thought I would put out this little review, as the other voter quite disliked it, heh. I thought it was superb !

'Frog Dreaming' is a fun, light-hearted Australian kid's film about a boy named Cody who investigates the disappearance of a friend who was last seen near an unmapped pond deep in the Australian bush. His search for the truth soon brings him into the world of Aboriginal mythology. Is there something supernatural going on at the pond, or is there a simpler explanation?

While strictly low-budget, 'Frog Dreaming' compensates by being filmed in the depths of the Blue Mountains region of New South Wales, which is almost a character in itself, mysterious and ancient. This also gives the film a distinctly Australian flavour, accentuated by the romanticised image of a small-town community where everyone knows and looks out for each other, and relations with the European and native community (who live entirely separately) are sanguine. The cynicism of the modern world is far distant, and every character is imbued with an untouched innocence. The Americanisation of the culture is nonexistent, and many a line of dialogue is punctuated by an Antipodean colloquialism. The acting can at times be a tad theatrical as a consequence, but everyone turns in a competent performance, and the target audience won't even notice.

In any case, this rose-tinting hardly matters. This is an adventure film first and foremost, full of warmth and mystery that should keep children solidly entertained. The thrills are never gratuitous, and suspense is built up at a good pace, to a satisfying conclusion. This non-sensationalist down-to-earth approach should ensure enjoyment from adult viewers as well. I had the pleasure of enjoying 'Frog Dreaming' as a child, again as an adult, and can recommend it to both parties.

Family-friendly adventure movie set in Australia references Aboriginal culture without becoming too preachy about it. You can tell this is set in Australia because the characters tell you so and also because everybody says 'bloody' a lot, uses colorful Australia idioms and there are lots of cut away shots to Australia fauna. It's a bit puzzling then why the makers of this movie chose to import American child-actor Henry Thomas to play the main role. I dare say there are many Australian actors of the same age who could have played the role just as well. I guess it was to make the movie more appealing to overseas audiences. That being said, there is no question young Mr Thomas is a very good actor and he is great in this movie. Most of the other actors are too, although there are a few Aussie stereotypes that may make you cringe.

The story line of this is a little confusing, but it certainly held my kids' attention. I quite enjoyed it too. It does get quiet exciting towards the end. Aboriginal culture and legend feature heavily and I don't know how accurate the references are but at least they are respectful.

Me and the kids have watched some real turkeys of movies in the last few weeks. Frog Dreaming is not one of them. Give this one a go. You won't be sorry.

It's been many years since I've seen this movie but I'm working on making it a part of my collection. Basically, there's an eerie, spooky, creepy pond that perks a boy's curiosity. The boy, Cody, starts investigating an old legend about "Donkegin" and/or "frog dreamings," all this I don't quite remember but I do remember certain parts as being incredibly intriguing. As a kid, and even today, I've always been fascinated with lakes and ponds, always wondering what's at the bottom. I believe they even get some underwater footage at some point when Cody wears an old-fashioned dive suit! This is an excellent adventure movie that's great for the whole family! Highly recommended!

Sitting down to watch the 1986 family adventure movie "Frog Dreaming" (aka "The Quest") here in 2022, I have to say that this was a trip down memory lane. I loved this movie when I was a kid, but I never knew the English title of the movie, and thus haven't stumbled upon it since the late 1980s.

And imagine my disbelief when I sat down to watch this movie in 2022, figuring that this was a movie that I hadn't seen before. Already from the very beginning, when the pond was shown, I was like "oh wow, it can't be, can it?". And yes it was. This was exactly that movie that I had been fond of back in my childhood.

The storyline in "Frog Dreaming", as written by Everett De Roche, is one that definitely has an appeal to family members of all ages. There is something a little bit scary for the younger viewers and a good adventure for the older viewers. And now also a trip down memory lane.

I had entirely forgotten that it was Henry Thomas that starred in this movie. I have to say that the cast ensemble in "Frog Dreaming" did a good job, and especially Henry Thomas in the leading role.

Visually then "Frog Dreaming" is a low-key movie. But the effects work out well, and directors Brian Trenchard-Smith and Russell Hagg managed to keep the movie mysterious and interesting right up to the ending.

"Frog Dreaming" is a movie that I can warmly recommend for families to sit down and watch.

My rating of "Frog Dreaming" lands on a six out of ten stars.

The stage curtains open ...

I remember watching this as a teenager once, late at night, and liking it. Then as time went by, I completely forgot about it. As chance would have it, I came across it by accident, 30+ years later and decided to watch it again. After finishing it this time around, I had to shake my head and wonder why I liked it back then.

Henry Thomas (of E.T. fame) plays the part of Cody, an American boy who loses his parents and has to go live in Australia. He is a bright and inventive kid who quickly wins over friends in the area. He takes it upon himself to investigate strange goings-on at Devil's Knob park where there have been some occurrences at a pond there. Believing it could be the mythological monster, the Donkegin, he sets out to find the truth. What it turns out to be is not what he expected.

This film really is a labor to get through. The cinematography is cheap and sloppy. The acting pretty much non-existent, except for one part where Henry Thomas takes to tears (something he's always done well), and the story subpar at best. And the final reveal was pretty lame. This is not a good movie. The only reason I am giving it 4 stars out of 10 is because of its sentimental value. It does take me back to a fun time of my life.

This is not a recommend. You would have to be a big Henry Thomas fan, or Aussie film fan - or, very sentimental about this movie to enjoy it. I wish I could give it a better review, but I wouldn't feel justified in doing so.

I was quite young when I first saw THE QUEST (also known as FROG DREAMING,it's original Australian title). I can remember that day and how I felt,no other Film had ever done such an effect on me before that. Now I'm 21 and after all those years I came here to write a review about a Film which is going to remain my favourite one forever,and for many reasons,the most special to me.

Indeed FROG DREAMING is a very special Film,I would even say that it is unique. The screenplay was written by Everett DeROCHE,a brilliant scriptwriter full of talent and imagination,who did a lot for the Australian Film industry. Director Brian Trenchard-smith managed perfectly to create an eerie climate along with Production designer Jon Dowding (who also did the Mad Max Films). There is a wonderful photography and Brian May,the famous Australian composer,did an amazing music score,exceptionally effective in mood-setting,using Aboriginal instruments such as sticks,didjeridoo and bullroarer.

FROG DREAMING is a Film about a young boy,Cody (Henry Thomas)and the mystery of an Aboriginal dreamtime myth. A story about how myths are created and where is the truth or is there a truth , it is also about how some people just do not want to question themselves,fearing that the answer might be followed by even more questions.

No,FROG DREAMING is not the most famous Film in the world,no it is not an Hollywood highly commercial movie made with an incredible budget,but does it mean that this is not a great Film ? Maybe a little-known Australian production based on a great and imaginative screenplay has got more interest than a blockbuster only based on special F/X ,it's up to you to decide. I think that everybody should enjoy this Film,of course someone only interested in slasher movies full of blood would,probably,not like it. But I think that if you can watch it with Cody's eyes,if you have imagination,if you can dream and if you are still capable of questioning yourself,you will undoubtedly love FROG DREAMING.

There are Films that you can't remember the day after you watched them,but sometimes there is a Film which is different,a Film which gives you something more than any other and which becomes a part of your own life. To me,FROG DREAMING is that Film and I am deeply convinced that it is a GREAT FILM.

The day I saw FROG DREAMING my soul went at "Donkegin's Hole" and it never came back.

May I remain there forever...in dreamtime

This is a film that, living in the UK, must have been on TV once that we "taped" when I was a kid and then watched loads because none of my friends had ever heard of it by any of its titles or recognised the synopsis.

I used to love this film as a kid. Watching it again probably 25 years later (its on Amazon Prime for UK) it took me back to my childhood and back to a simpler time where the only thing I had to worry about in life was getting dressed properly. That said, when you remove the nostalgia it's not actually as good as you remember and you can see the types of films it desperately wants to be but falls somewhat flat. It is still worth watching though.

Some of the practical effects are quite good albeit simplistic, relying on atmosphere and imagination rather than seeing. Some of the parts and/or language used in the film would have the snowflake brigade going crazy.

A new viewer probably wouldn't enjoy this film but for those returning to it will enjoy the trip down memory lane.

Let me start by saying that I liked E.T. I thought Henry Thomas was great in that film. That being said, The Quest was a lame attempt to cash in on Thomas' fading stardom. The story is, a kid named Cody goes on an adventure with his girlfriend, grownups tell him no, he find some great treasure, and everyone is happy in the end. I rented this movie when I was nine and I couldn't even finish it. Even then I thought the movie was bad and I still do. If you happen to come across this in a Blockbuster, keep walking by. You won't be pleasantly surprised. I guess I'll give it two stars, since Henry Thomas is in it, and I feel sorry for him that he took this role.

This movie had so many titles, in Ireland it was titled The Go-Kids, elsewhere it's called Frog Dreaming or The Quest. Recently watched this movie on Blu-ray and it was as good as when I was 8 years old. The movie never got the recognition it deserved, probably cause it was an Aussie production. Set in the outback a kid follows a legend of a monster at the bottom of a lake. Really fun adventure and some real beautiful shots of the forest and animals. As a kid this movie had everything, bit of fun, romance, horror, adventure. I'm a forty year old man now but this movie takes me back to a better time, before super viruses and mass terrorism.

I watched the US VHS, The Quest, as a child. I was three to five years old when I used to watch this movie on repeat. The monster and the beginning of the movie stuck with me into adulthood. The movie is dated, and has a bit of problematic racism, language, and smoking, but with proper parental guidance it shouldn't be too much an issue. This movie helped me foster curiosity and an adventurous spirit as a child. The last time I watched the movie as a child I was maybe eight years old, and I only stopped watching it because I had over a thousand views under my belt. I rewatched the movie as an adult a couple decades later. It holds up, but it does have those few issues I mentioned earlier.

Like many people here, I watched this movie several times, when I was likely 7-10 years old. I'm 39 now, and haven't seen it since, but it popped in my mind randomly last week. I couldn't remember the name, and I was brought to IMDB looking for it. After seeing so many people with similiar sentiment to this movie as me, I was compelled to pile on a similiar review. Several other people here described the same thing I was thinking... They could not remember the name of the movie, but they remembered it, and remembered how they felt when watching it. This is spot on. If you haven't seen this movie, you may not be able to appreciate it nearly as much having not seen it as a child, but give it a shot, and watch it with your kids! It is just creepy enough, but not too scary. I remember watching this with my dad late at night a couple of times, and I'm looking for a place to download it now!

The story concerns an American boy named Cody who now lives in Australia with his guardian Gaza. He sets out with two of his friends to explore a lake that is said to inhabit a mysterious creature known as 'Donkegen'.

The opening scene is really well done. The film score is fantastic and the acting gives this film a very realistic feel.

Even though it's a kids film, it never plays down to a lower intelligence and understands that a kids film doesn't have to use slang in order to reach it's target audience.

I honestly believe in the age of too many video games and TV, this is a great film for young or old. Better to show to young ones in the hopes they understand you can have so much fun by just exploring and creating/building things. Perhaps when they are older they will look back at this film and realize one of it's overall messages.

Let's hope for a proper DVD release soon.

Cody Walpole (Henry Thomas) is a scientific, mechanically-minded, and ruggedly individualistic 14-year-old loner. He is also brave to the point of foolhardy, quite the daredevil-- except that he doesn't let anyone tell him what to do. Extremely inner-directed, what he dares and endures are come out of a quiet but fierce determination of his own prompting.

He stumbles upon a seemingly haunted, God-forsaken spot in the Australian wilderness, a long-abandoned mine or quarry flooded with filthy brown water. He knows of an old hermit who spends his vacations living alone in the area. After seeing none-too-recent evidence of this man's presence, he calls out and searches for him and eventually finds his skeleton. It looks as though the man was literally scared to death. This place is not on any map and, after some further investigation, he hears that the local aborigines shun the spot as the legendary lair of a monster living in the murky pool, a being so horrible that the mere sight of it kills. The place seems to exude bad luck and gives everyone the creeps who goes near it.

Cody believes that there must be a rational explanation for this phenomenon and becomes obsessed with the site and discovering the true nature of the creature in the water. This mission requires him to defy and disobey everyone in the local village, even his guardian, another individual so laconic and independent as to be a soul mate, who usually lets this resourceful boy do whatever he wants. Cody's steps in solving the mystery are breathtakingly lonely and dangerous.

As much as I admire individualism and independence, it is difficult for me to sympathize with courage carried to such an extreme for no compelling reason. Although others have recommended this film for children, I can't agree. It is the stuff of which nightmares are made-- I think it could even give me some. And Cody's reckless behavior, despite his admirable traits, makes him something of an anti-hero.

There is no denying, however, that the filmmakers have done a superb job with atmosphere and have captured some gorgeous wilderness scenery. I can understand this being among someone's favorite films. It is certainly different.

It's been a very long time since I saw this film. It was called "Frog Dreaming" in Australia. It has a simple, slow rhythm, like in "The Year my Voice Broke". It's not "ET" and its not "Close Encounters", and that's probably what bothers people who pick it up at the video store. Critics hated this film at when it came out at the cinema. I loved it.

I first saw this movie when i was 3 or 4, I'm 18 now, but i can still remember the first time i rented it with my mom and sister. We had picked it up simply by just looking at the box cover, it looked like a movie i might like, or so my mom thought. Back then, i thought it was just a plain old "cool" movie, i looked up to Cody's character in fact, but now when i look back, i find this to be one of the more interesting ideas in movie history, to me at least. See the movie and you'll see what i mean. ****