Savages Crossing

I liked this film and no I don't have any connection whatsoever to it OK? I've lived in the tropics and been through cyclones and tropical storms and this movie really captured the feel of that. It really felt like an isolated roadhouse which people in the city cannot fathom but they do exist in the Territory and up on Cape York.

It had a good soundtrack and score and a great performance from the cast in general.

As far as John Jarratts character goes you have to remember that he was drunk virtually the whole time and was a nut case so some of the things he said and did were ridiculous of course.

All in all nowhere near as bad as people say it is!

Savages Crossing is a micro-budget horror flick written by John Jarratt and his son and it really is just an exercise in vanity. Jarratt had a fleeting glimpse at resurrected stardom with Wolf Creek and so he's essentially written himself another psychopathic lunatic role in a similar vein. But hey, the movie works. The first 10 minutes are woeful (and unnecessary) as its shot in day light and the lack of budget shows, but once night falls and the rain pours, Savages Crossing has a great atmosphere and performances. Craig McLachlan is actually really good as the 'take- no-sh!t' country farmer and in my opinion he steals the show. Its not great by any means, but certainly worth a look.

I have to say that I love John Jarratt. His appearance as the bad guy in the WOLF CREEK films has given him a cult following, and this infamy led him to make SAVAGES CROSSING, a low budget thriller written by Jarratt and his wife, starring Jarratt and his real-life son, Charlie. It's a bit of a family affair, but sadly one that turns out to be distinctly average and rather a let down compared to the intensity of the WOLF CREEK movies.

The light plotting sees a group of characters assembled and stranded at a remote diner during a stormy night where the torrential rain has made the only road going in or out impassable. The characters are largely uninteresting here, but Jarratt holds the attention as an ex-con who has unfinished business with his estranged wife and kid. What follows, though, despite best efforts, is strictly routine, and there's little of the suspense you'd expect from the premise; no edge of the seat stuff. It's also surprisingly tame.

It goes without saying that Jarratt is hugely entertaining, as is ever the case, and he's well matched by NEIGHBOURS star Craig McLachlan who is a welcome presence as the square-jawed heroic type. But the story seems to go on forever, repetitively going back and forth while depending on the characters making dumb decisions to spin things out a bit further. It tests the patience instead of testing the viewer's nerves.

Well......I have just watched this tense taut drama/thriller n it was a brilliant story n well written with amazing suspense throughout. The plot was good with lively action too. One mans demented obsession with his wife n son all taking place in one location.

The acting was superb n the characters were brilliant n bounced off each other.

The ending was unexpected n unpredictable n apt for the story.

I recommend this movie especially if you like suspense n high drama n thrillers.

Surprised this has such a low IMDB rating as it is not that bad. When a group of people are forced to take refuge in a road house during a storm they are unaware that one among them is John Jarrett who seems to be reprising his role as the Psycho from 'Wolf Creek'. Just released from prison he is seeking his wife and son to claim his share of his wife's money. He then goes on to terrify them and the other people marooned in the roadhouse. The hero standing in his way is Craig McLachlan of 'Neighbours' fame, who just happens to be the person who rescued Jarrett from an overflowing river at the beginning of the film. Running for just 80 minutes this deserves a much better rating than the 3.6 it has as I write.