Evil Angels (1988)

Director:

Fred Schepisi

Writers:

John Bryson (novel)
Robert Caswell (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

11 November 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

A family torn apart. A public filled with outrage. A woman accused of murder.

Plot:

The story of a mother whose child was killed in an animal attack, only to have herself accused of the infant's murder

Plot Keywords:

Media | Australia | Dingo | Police | Baby

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 8 wins & 9 nominations

Cast

Meryl Streep	...	Lindy Chamberlain
Sam Neill	...	Michael Chamberlain
Dale Reeves	...	Aidan, 6 years
David Hoflin	...	Aidan, 8 years
Jason Reason	...	Aidan, 11 years
Michael Wetter	...	Reagan, 4 years
Kane Barton	...	Reagan, 6 years
Trent Roberts	...	Reagan, 9 years
Lauren Shepherd	...	Azaria
Bethany Ann Prickett	...	Azaria
Alison O'Connell	...	Azaria
Aliza Dason	...	Azaria
Jane Coker	...	Kahlia, new born
Rae-Leigh Henson	...	Kahlia, 18 months
Nicolette Minster	...	Kahlia, 4 years

Also Known As:

Evil Angels (Australia) (literal title) (USA) (literal title)
A Cry in the Dark (International: English title)
Ein Schrei in der Dunkelheit (West Germany) [de]
Ett skrik i mörkret (Sweden) [sv]
Huuto pimeydestä (Finland) [fi]
Karanlikta bir çiglik (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
Kravgi sto skotadi (Greece) [el]
Krzyk w ciemnosci (Poland) [pl]
Um Grito de Coragem (Portugal) [pt]
Um Grito no Escuro (Brazil) [pt]
Um Grito no Esuro (Portugal) [pt]
Un cri dans la nuit (France) [fr]
Un grido nella notte (Italy) [it]
Un grito en la oscuridad (Spain) [es]
Zeaka B'Afella (Israel: Hebrew title) [iw]

Runtime:

120 min | 122 min (dvd release)

Country:

Australia | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Germany:12 | Netherlands:12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-14 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:PG-13 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia

Company:

Cannon Entertainment

Trivia:

In 1986, Azaria's jacket was found in an area filled with dingo lairs. The case was reopened, and in 1988 the Criminal Appeals Court overturned all convictions against the parents. Two years later, the parents received compensation for wrongful imprisonment.

Quotes:

Michael Chamberlain: I don't think a lot of people realise how important innocence is to innocent people.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Nugget (2002)

A Very Emotional Story

This is an extremely-powerful based-on-a-true story film that can be infuriating to watch. I say that because how brutal a hounding press can be to people, in this case an innocent Australian couple charged with killing their baby.

Meryl Streep received a lot of recognition for her performance when this film came out but I thought Sam Neill was just as good. Let's just say they both were excellent but the role was little harder for Streep because she had to learn an Australian accent. (She learned it so well I had trouble understanding her in parts.)

Without giving anything away, all I can say is this movie will wear you out emotionally.