A wild ride in the Australian West, the movie The Flood has been released on home video and streaming. The production value is very good, acting above par and the direction top notch. Like most westerns, there’s a lot of gun fighting and lawlessness, but this story has a different edge that makes it compelling, gut wrenching and exciting to watch.
“In a time not so long ago the Australian Government incarcerated First Nations People (Aboriginal) on remote Missions, using them as indenture labor and forcibly removing their children. When her Irish father and South Sea Islander mother die in a flood, Jarah is sent to live on an isolated Mission. She marries her sweetheart Waru Banganha and their union brings joy, contentment and their daughter Binda.” – Filmmaker introduction
The film opens with World War II in full swing and the Bahaganha family living a full life. Especially Binda who is now grown to a young lady. Offering citizenship and certificates of racial exemption for all Indigenes people who serve in the Australian Army, Waru joins the military for his chance of finally being free. But, the government lied and they have made all the people of their village wards of the state and have confiscated all lands while making the young children laborers of the State.
Now with Jarah working in servitude and their children being rapped by landowners, she waits for her husband to come back from the war. When her husband returns to a vicious world, defends himself and child, Jarah gets lock up. So begins a mission of retribution and revenge. Director Victoria Wharfe McIntyre peels off layers slowly making sure his main characters have been fleshed out. Then he releases a whirlwind of hurt on those who would be and have been evil.
McIntyre does a very good job of showing the discrimination between the Aussies and the Aboriginal people. I like the film very much learning a lot about Australia back when it was lawless in some regions and revealing the injustice side of the country. Kudos to Alexis Lane and Shaka Cook who make the film work with performances that are exciting and heartbreaking.
The film has not been rated by the MPAA, but contains violence, rape, rude language and bloody scenes. The film is now available on DVD, Digital HD and VOD.
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Alexis Lane, Shaka Cook, Dean Kyrwood, Dalara Williams, Karen Garnesy, Peter McAllum, Aaron Jeffery
Directed and Written by: Victoria Wharfe McIntyre
Genre: Drama, History, Australian Western
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, contains, violence
Running Time: 1 hr. 57 min.
Video Release Date: November 2, 2021
Language: Australian English
Reviewed Format: DVD
Subtitles: None
Distributed by: 4 Digital Media
Released on: DVD, VOD, Digital HD
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
