New Zealand film making and its affinity for troubled personal drama tempered by wild landscape and bad weather has proved to be it's creative master stroke. The Piano, Whale Rider, Vigil, Utu evoke an indigenous gloom that identify these movies as distinctly New Zealand in character. Heart of the Stag mines similar territory to lesser effect with three good performances from farmer (Terence Cooper), farmer's daughter (Mary Regan) and farm hand (Bruno Lawrence) in a triangular tale of lust on the farm. Grim skies and hostile terrain accompany the moody pacing of Cooper's incestuous menace as Lawrence and Regan find mutual solace. An accomplished New Zealand film.
5 Reviews
Unusual & Powerful
Brin2 March 2008
Warning: Spoilers
The story of a drifter, his sheep ranch boss, and the boss's daughter is not for all tastes, but it's still very intriguing. It takes place in the beautiful country of New Zealand, amongst the scenery we've come to know so well through other films from this region.
This movie was the first time I had ever seen the excellent Mary Regan, and I've been a fan of hers ever since. The cast also contains Bruno Lawrence, who is probably best remembered by American audiences from the film "Smash Palace". Terence Cooper takes a turn as the ranch owner who pays a little too much of the wrong sort of attention to his daughter (Regan).
Sharply acted, with unforgettably shattering performances from all of its leads. I first saw this movie in extremely edited form on late night television here in America, but believe you me, the unexpurgated version is not to be missed.
This movie was the first time I had ever seen the excellent Mary Regan, and I've been a fan of hers ever since. The cast also contains Bruno Lawrence, who is probably best remembered by American audiences from the film "Smash Palace". Terence Cooper takes a turn as the ranch owner who pays a little too much of the wrong sort of attention to his daughter (Regan).
Sharply acted, with unforgettably shattering performances from all of its leads. I first saw this movie in extremely edited form on late night television here in America, but believe you me, the unexpurgated version is not to be missed.
worth a look
mattkratz29 July 2000
This movie is excellent. Lawrence gives a superb portrayal of a ranch hand who falls for a lady involved in a forced incestuous relationship with her father. While the subject matter might be uncomfortable for some, it had to be expertly handled by everyone involved, including the actors, writers, and director- which, fortunately, it is. I recommend this one.
Beautifully acted
lawfella24 July 2004
An Australian entry. In contemporary Australia, a shepherd finds transient work by chance at a ranch, and ends up involved with the rancher's daughter, who is being sexually abused by her father, and whose mother has been incapacitated by a stroke. That's pretty much the whole premise, and while there are moving moments, the story and script are not as compelling as you might expect. Nevertheless, the film is saved by the exceptional acting, especially by Mary Regan, who plays the abused daughter. The cinematography -- lots of scenes of the Australian countryside (or maybe it is a set, I don't know, but it's certainly beautiful), sheep shearing and wild stags -- is terrific and gorgeous. The music is also often lovely. Well worth a watch.
The Stag at Eve had drunk its Fill..,
mike-92517 July 2001
Warning: Spoilers
(spoilers)
It was films like this one that overwhelmed Americans in the early 80s. Along with Picnic at Hanging Rock and Breaker Morant, wave after wave of Aussie films broke on America's less than Fatal Shores.
The plot briefly: Bruno Lawrence is an Aussie trail bum who wanders to a farm run by a man who fancies himself the curator of a Stag Ranch. Bruno performs ranch work. The daughter of the owner strikes his fancy. By turns he learns that the mother is an invalid confined to a wheelchair. Gradually we discover that in addition to seeing to the breeding of the doe herds that are shepherded about by the Stags on the Ranch, the owner is seeing to the sexual needs of his own domestic charge: to whit, his daughter.
Naturally, we are appalled. The Film crosscuts scenes of wild deer encountering one another in high dudgeon in the forest. And then there are the encounters of the man and his daughter in the bedroom. The comparisons are so highhanded and outrageous it puts the film over the top where every Aussie film belongs.
Bruno eventually saves the damsel of course. But there is this bit of Aussie dialogue somewhere in the mix.
Rancher to Bruno: "Stay away from me Stags, and me Daughter!"
It isn't a great film but its a ripping theme. I recommend it highly.
It was films like this one that overwhelmed Americans in the early 80s. Along with Picnic at Hanging Rock and Breaker Morant, wave after wave of Aussie films broke on America's less than Fatal Shores.
The plot briefly: Bruno Lawrence is an Aussie trail bum who wanders to a farm run by a man who fancies himself the curator of a Stag Ranch. Bruno performs ranch work. The daughter of the owner strikes his fancy. By turns he learns that the mother is an invalid confined to a wheelchair. Gradually we discover that in addition to seeing to the breeding of the doe herds that are shepherded about by the Stags on the Ranch, the owner is seeing to the sexual needs of his own domestic charge: to whit, his daughter.
Naturally, we are appalled. The Film crosscuts scenes of wild deer encountering one another in high dudgeon in the forest. And then there are the encounters of the man and his daughter in the bedroom. The comparisons are so highhanded and outrageous it puts the film over the top where every Aussie film belongs.
Bruno eventually saves the damsel of course. But there is this bit of Aussie dialogue somewhere in the mix.
Rancher to Bruno: "Stay away from me Stags, and me Daughter!"
It isn't a great film but its a ripping theme. I recommend it highly.
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