Directed by Colin Eggleston (b:1941 – d:2002) Long Weekend is a piece of low budget genius. This was only the second feature film helmed by Eggleston and despite the fact that the film bombed in Australia, it went on to win five awards. Part of the reason the film did so badly was probably down to the public placing it in the category of “Ozploitation.”
John Hargreaves and Briony Behets play Peter and Marcia a young urban couple who are going on holiday. We notice very quickly that Peter and Marcia are a “chalk and cheese” couple. Peter has decided that they are going to ‘rough it’ on a beach in the outback. Marcia has her heart set on staying in a nice hotel somewhere. Somewhat begrudgingly Marcia agrees to try the camping trip idea, but with the proviso that if she really doesn’t like it they can spend the rest of the holiday in a hotel.
From the minute they get into their Jeep and start driving, we the audience can feel the tension between the couple. This tension fluctuates through most of the film and even before Peter runs over a ‘Joey’ leaving it to die in the road, we get a sense of foreboding. A feeling that this trip is not really a good idea.
Long Weekend is mostly a “fish-out-of-water” film. Peter and Marcia do not belong in the countryside. City dwellers first and foremost they really have no idea what they should be doing once they reach their ‘supposed’ destination. On their way to the beach they get lost, mainly because the locals at the petrol station do not go out of their way to give them directions, but also because they are careless.
Both Peter and Marcia have a complete disregard about the wildlife they encounter and it’s natural habitat. John Hargreaves as Peter shows us a man who is basically selfish and immature. He thinks nothing of killing the local flora and fauna or leaving his litter scattered about the previously pristine area.
Brioney Behets (who was married to the director at the time) gives Marcia an edge, a feeling of loss and the willingness to bridge the distance between her and Peter. Initially we sympathize Marcia but unfortunately she suffers from the same problems as Peter, selfishness and immaturity. She also has little respect or knowledge of how the countryside works. They are both completely out of their comfort zone and it shows. But only Marcia is smart enough to vocalise her fear and distaste of the great outdoors.
The only time in the film the two characters unite is in their mutual fear of a huge black shape in the water. Marcia hears a downright scary cry or call from an unknown animal. She goes down to the beach to tell Peter and she sees the black shape moving towards him. Marcia begins screaming hysterically for Peter to get out of the water. Peter, in true urban fashion, shoots the black shape repeatedly.
I can honestly say that when I first watched this film, it made me so uneasy that even I did not want to venture into the great outdoors and I grew up there. The sense of foreboding that we feel at the beginning of the film hits fever pitch after the couple arrive at their destination. When nature begins to exact a toll from the couple for their criminal behaviour, fever pitch rises to a frenzy.
Long Weekend was remade in 2008 and it is almost a complete frame for frame re-imaging, of the original, but the remake, believe it or not, cranks up the action considerably. It is one of the few remakes that I enjoyed as much as the original.
But I leave you with one request, if at all possible, watch the original first.
Thanks for bringing up the names of some old favorites of mine. We just rewatched Wrong Turn the other night! I’ll have to do some ‘retro’ reviews for all three of those which are sitting in my movie collection right now and starting at me accusingly. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Long Weekend. It is indeed a powerful film. Cheers mate! 🙂
I own this horror film and it is so psychologically powerful that even after watching it only once many years ago I can still recall the characters and settings clearly – its a very powerful film. I have always loved the ‘get lost in the woods and enter danger’ plot in film. Some of my favourites are Wrong Turn, The Hills have Eyes, Wolf Creek. I’m not sure if you have done reviews on any of these but would love to read one!