Walkabout

Walkabout

Year: 1971

Runtime: 100 min

Language: English

Director: Nicolas Roeg

AdventureDrama

During a wilderness retreat, a group of young Christians encounters unexpected challenges when a novice filmmaker documents their journey. The experience tests their faith and reveals the raw beauty and power of the natural world as they navigate unforeseen circumstances and confront the fragility of their beliefs.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Walkabout (1971)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Walkabout (1971). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The narrative oscillates between the innocence of childhood and the stark realities of life. It reflects on the experience of growing up and the transitions faced, particularly in the context of cultural rites of passage. The story evokes nostalgia for a lost sense of innocence amid profound tragedy.

Location

Sydney, Australia, Outback, Gold Coast

Sydney, Australia, is known for its stunning harbor and vibrant city life, featuring iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House. The Outback represents the vast, rugged landscape of Australia, teeming with wildlife and natural beauty, known for its isolation and harsh conditions. The Gold Coast, famous for its beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife, serves as a modern contrast to the adventures of childhood.

🏙️ City 🏞️ Wilderness 🌊 Coast

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:07

Main Characters – Walkabout (1971)

Meet the key characters of Walkabout (1971), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Girl (Jenny Agutter)

The girl is a protective elder sister who transitions from a carefree childhood to the harsh realities of survival. Her determination to shield her brother is a testament to her courage and resourcefulness. As she grapples with loss and responsibility, her character reveals the emotional weight of growing up too fast.

👧 Young 🛡️ Protector 😢 Grieving

Boy (Luc Roeg)

The boy is innocent and playful, embodying a typical child's spirit. His obliviousness to their dire situation initially serves as a contrast to his sister’s anxiety. Throughout the ordeal, he represents hope and the innate curiosity of youth, even amidst tragedy.

👶 Innocent 🌟 Hopeful

Aboriginal Boy (David Gulpilil)

The Aboriginal boy is resourceful and wise beyond his years, guiding the siblings through the wilderness. His cultural background introduces themes of traditional knowledge and respect for nature, embodying a rite of passage that shapes his identity. Despite the language barrier, he forms a deep connection with the siblings, revealing shared humanity.

🌿 Wise 🤝 Guide

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:07

Major Themes – Walkabout (1971)

Explore the central themes of Walkabout (1971), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌄 Survival

Survival is a central theme as the children navigate the harsh and unforgiving Australian Outback. Their resourcefulness and resilience are tested as they face both physical challenges and emotional hardships following the tragic loss of their father. The bond formed with the Aboriginal boy emphasizes the importance of community and shared experience in overcoming adversity.

❤️ Friendship

The theme of friendship emerges through the connection between the siblings and the Aboriginal boy. Despite language barriers and cultural differences, their journey together highlights the universal need for companionship. The complexities of their relationships explore themes of trust, loyalty, and the pain of separation.

🧒 Childhood Innocence

Childhood innocence plays a crucial role, reflecting the simplicity of life before tragedy strikes. The siblings’ playful interactions and their naive understanding of danger showcase the fragility of childhood. Their experiences serve as a poignant reminder of lost innocence, ultimately shaping their perspectives as they grow into adulthood.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:07

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Dreamlike survival journeys like in Walkabout

Survival stories where the stark beauty of nature becomes a surreal dreamscape.Movies like Walkabout that blend survival narratives with a surreal, dreamlike mood. This thread features character-driven stories set in harsh wilderness where the experience is as much an internal journey as a physical one, often with melancholic and atmospheric tones.

atmosphericsurrealdreamlikeharshlonelyreflectivenostalgictragic

Narrative Summary

Characters are isolated in an immense, often hostile natural environment. Their physical journey is paralleled by a deepening internal one, where exhaustion, awe, and solitude lead to a surreal, altered state of perception. The plot is less about action and more about the transformative, and sometimes tragic, encounter with the raw power of the world.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their unique combination of a survival plot with a contemplative, dreamlike atmosphere. They share a focus on atmospheric world-building, a slow, immersive pace, and a tone that balances harsh reality with a sense of ethereal wonder and melancholy.

Bittersweet coming of age stories like in Walkabout

Stories where a transformative journey leads to survival but at a deep emotional cost.If you liked the emotional journey in Walkabout, this thread features movies with bittersweet rites of passage. These stories focus on characters who undergo a traumatic but transformative experience, surviving into adulthood but carrying the permanent scars of lost innocence and connection.

bittersweettragicnostalgicreflectivelonelyharshatmosphericalienation

Narrative Summary

A catalytic, often devastating event forces a character—typically young—into a journey that shatters their previous worldview. They adapt and survive, demonstrating resilience, but the story's conclusion is deeply bittersweet. The focus is on the poignant cost of this growth: the irreversible loss of innocence, a fractured connection to culture or family, or a nostalgic mourning for a vanished past.

Why These Movies?

These films share a core narrative arc centered on a painful, necessary transition. They are united by a melancholic tone, a moderate to heavy emotional weight, and, most importantly, an ending that is fundamentally bittersweet, acknowledging the complexity of survival and the permanence of loss.

Unlock the Full Story of Walkabout

Don't stop at just watching — explore Walkabout in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Walkabout is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Walkabout Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Walkabout, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Walkabout Summary

Walkabout Timeline

Track the full timeline of Walkabout with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Walkabout Timeline

Walkabout Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Walkabout that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Walkabout Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Walkabout

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Walkabout: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Walkabout

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