A Cry in the Dark

views updated

A Cry in the Dark ★★★½ Evil Angels 1988 (PG-13)

Tight film story of the infamous Australian murder trial of Lindy Chamberlain (Streep), who was accused of killing her own baby, mostly because of the intensely adverse public opinion, aroused by vicious press, that surrounded the case. Chamberlain blamed the death on a wild dingo dog, which dragged off the baby from where the family was camped. Near-documentary style, with Streep excellent as the religious, unknowable mother. Based on the book “Evil Angels” by John Bryson. This case was also detailed in the film “Who Killed Baby Azaria?” 120m/C VHS, DVD . AU Meryl Streep, Sam Neill, Bruce Myles, Charles “Bud” Tingwell, Nick (Nicholas) Tate, Neil Fitzpatrick, Maurice Fields, Lewis Fitz-Gerald, Tony (Anthony) Martin; D: Fred Schepisi; W: Fred Schepisi, Robert Caswell; C: Ian Baker; M: Bruce Smeaton. Australian Film Inst. '89: Actor (Neill), Actress (Streep), Film; Cannes '89: Actress (Streep); N.Y. Film Critics '88: Actress (Streep).

More From encyclopedia.com