Excellent movie - pity about the transfer.
M. D. Dawson | Gordon, ACT Australia | 04/02/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"The previous reviews have said all that I wanted to say except that this is one of my favourite movies and normally I would give it 5 stars. I live approx. 50km from where it was filmed and it shows the beauty of my little corner of the world perfectly.However I was very disappointed with the DVD transfer which is the worst I have ever seen. All movement in the film results in a mass of mpeg artifacts which reduces the image resolution to sub-VHS quality."
Poignant tale that captures the essence of growing up.
K.Puccetti | Burnside, South Australia Australia | 10/02/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"How easy it is to forget, the often awkward and sometimes painful moments we endure, in making the transistion from childhood to adulthood. "The year my voice broke", does a wonderful job of rekindling those feelings, while at the same time adding dashes of good Aussie humour, which keeps the mood from being too sombre. The setting, in a sleepy Australian country town, where the street lamps attract hundreds of circling insects at night, adds much to the atmosphere, as does the wonderful, haunting musical score. This is one of my all-time favorite Australian films. The only note of disappointment for me, was the DVD transfer itself, which is not much better than your average video. However, given that this is a relatively unknown film outside Australia, I guess I'm happy that it made the transfer to DVD at all. Acting by the entire cast is quite believable, though not polished in the typical Hollywood style. In particular, through the lead role of Danny, touchingly portayed by Noah Taylor, I was drawn into the turbulent, and bittersweet ordeals of his emerging adolescence. I've watching "The year my voice broke" many times, yet I still find it a moving, satisfying experience, that leaves me feeling reflective even after the credits have finished. Highly recommended for teenagers and up."
A romance that will stay with you
David Fierro | San Anselmo, CA United States | 02/12/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a beautiful underrated film that is a delicate tale of first love. Buy it and be escorted away to another time. Other John Duigan movies tend to miss the mark, but this one hits it dead on, establishing mood and a heart with it's script and filmmaking. Finally, watch it with someone you love!"
A rural tragedy
Tom Munro | Melbourne, Victoria Australia | 01/20/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This a pleasant and moving little film. Its strong points are the sence of place and the landscape. The sountrack is the Lark Ascending by Vaughn Williams. Although English music it captures the feel of the Australian country side wonderfully. The hero of the film is a young boy of 15 who fall in love with an older girl from a poorer family. She is involved with an older kid who is always getting into trouble. The 15 year old watches the tragedy which unfolds from a distance. Around him live adults who have lived damaged lives."