Dark Age

You want a good crocodile flick which gives you the carnage but also well-meaning in its context, then you can't look any further than the 1987 Aussie exploitation ecological monster fare "Dark Age" starring a very young John Jarrett (who would be best remembered for his unnerving performance in 2005 horror feature "Wolf Creek") playing a Northern Territory park ranger Steve who's in-charge of conserving the disappearing crocodile population. But things go bad to worse, when locals start becoming a target for one very large crocodile and the hunters of the area (who always seem to a beer can in their hand) go about trying to wipe out the species. But Steve has a plan, but needs the help of an aboriginal elder who believes the crocodile to be sacred. You could probably say this was Australia's answer to "Jaws" and it would do a good job of scaring you out of the water. The material doesn't go into a lot depth with the character dramas (though they are there), but it effectively draws upon its conservational message but never letting it get in the way of a good jolt. Sonia Borg's smartly penned screenplay gels all elements rather well. Director Arch Nicholson (who also did the excellent 1986 made-for-TV survival hostage flick "Fortress") crafts out an exciting outback adventure, using conventional genre staples with unsparing force and the atmospherics of the terrain provided some arresting sequences of beauty and chills. Even the characters interactions draw up intensity, but it's the attack scenes which will stay with you. Watching the croc prey on its victims, then in a matter of seconds have them in a vice grip as we hear their bones crunching under the pressure with blood engulfing the water is an unnerving sight. But just seeing this creation in its glory is scary enough and the effects are outstanding, despite that it might seem a bit stiff in its movements. It's well shot and the camera uses different angles, which also helps. The performances are all game with some memorable turns by Max Phipps as gun-happy hunter John Besser, Nikki Goghill (whose blue eyes really stand out) as Steve's girlfriend Cathy, Burnam Burnam as the native elder Oonadabund and David Gulpill as his fellow tracker Adjaral. It had been awhile seen I last saw it and it surprised how well it actually stood up. Great nature-runs-amok outing which would make a perfect double bill with "Razorback".

"We born. We die. Spirit lives."

A giant crocodile is killing and eating river poachers and small kids from the river banks.John Jarratt of "Wolf Creek" fame plays park ranger who is a big protector of crocodiles as well.The local aborigines see this bloodthirsty crocodile as a sacred reptile called "Numunwari" and they want to transfer the beast to its proper upriver.Arch Nicholson's "Dark Age" is a well-made and suspenseful animal attack flick which owes a lot to "Jaws".The killing of small aboriginal kid is quite shocking with its unexpected brutality.The croc itself looks realistic and menacing enough and the attack scenes are surprisingly vicious.The film is also rich in aboriginal myths and symbolism as it poses few important environmental questions.Can't wait to see Arch Nicholson's "Fortress".8 crocs out of 10.

The main reaction this film about a giant crocodile terrorising Australia elicited from me was "OMG, IT'S ALF FROM HOME AND AWAY!!". Aside from that, the strange thing about it is the highest level of suspense isn't the huge reptile stalking and killing it's human prey, but the final chase as some well-meaning conservationists try to drive it to a secluded breeding spot away from a gang of yahoo hunters who want to turn it into luggage. My sympathies lay with the 'monster' 100%.

The film kind of washes over you in an unpretentious way... don't expect a frightfest along the lines of Jaws, and even the music is cheap 80's synch. But it's nice to see Aboriginal culture represented so positively and informatively on screen, with a couple of them even giving more than passable performances in starring roles. Could the next big superstar from Down Under come from there? Don't bet against it... 5/10

My review was written in July 1988 after watching the film on Charter video cassette.

Australia's answer to "Jaws", "Dark Age" is a competently made horror film about a legendary large croc on the rampage. It's not a strong enough title on its own and got lost in the distribution pipeline before its current home video release.

Local color (atmospherically filmed in far north Queensland and Northern Territory) highlights this tall tale of Numunwari, a 25-foot long crocodile held sacred by the aborigines. Storms cause the beastie to head down river and start eating humans.

John Jarratt plays a government ranger who's fighting poachers and trying to save crocs from extinction. Ironically, he's assigned by his government superior to hunt down the big beast, while every amateur hunter in sight uses the emergency as an excuse to declare open season on all crocs.

Aboriginal folklore gives "Dark Age" its own flavor, but too many scenes and plot devices directly ape "Jaws" to cornball effect. The issue of protecting local interests against the adverse publicity of recurring croc attacks, the ultimate 3-man trek (Jarratt and two aborigines) after the beast and a very familiar scene of kids swimming peacefully in a harbor when the croc arrives to attack lack originality.

Jarratt is an appealing hero, with the lovely Nikki Coghill effective as an anthropologist and romantic interest. Burnam Burnam is solid as the aboriginal elder, supported ably by David Gulpilil.

Director Arch Nicholson (of HBO's Rachel Ward-starrer "Fortress") has a topflight technical team, but the killer croc's fake look doesn't help to generate scares or suspense.

This film was made in Australia and is very hard to find in America, but it is worth watching at least once if you can find it. Basically, it's just an Australian 'JAWS', except that instead of a shark, it's a giant crocodile. The ending is also something to see, because they don't just blow away this magnificent creature as they have in other films of this nature. I won't give away the ending, but it is very interesting. I give it 7.5 out of 10.