Dingoes dominant in ‘Evil Angels’

Press, 16 November 1987, Page 41

Dingoes dominant in ‘Evil Angels’

NZPA-AAP Sydney Dingoes are again playing a big role in the Chamberlain saga, this time on film.

Six dingoes, Bingo, Matilda, Syd, Muddy, Dingbat and Grunta, are starring in the Fred Schepisi movie, “Evil Angels.”

As well there is a 15-year-old cross-breed, Killer, brought out of retirement for a special appearance ... and directed by hand signals because she is now deaf. Also in the film, based on the death of Azaria Chamberlain at Ayers Rock in 1980 and the convictions of her parents, Lindy and Michael, are Meryl Streep and Sam Neill.

But it is the dogs that are commanding the most respect, especially since Grunta bit an assistant, Dick Skinner, on the arm on the first day of filming. They are getting the full

star treatment — a special outdoor compound and their own coach, Evanne Chesson.

Syd, the veteran with “Burke and Wills,” "The Last Frontier” and “Dirtwater Dynasty” to her credit, even has her own stand-in, Muddy. But not all dogs are cut out for the movies: Grunta has been locked up for refusing to open his mouth for a publicity shot and Ding-bat has been muzzled because of antisocial behaviour.

Syd’s major role has required four months of solid training, but Ms Chesson says the star is exceptional: “She can now carry more than the weight of a baby for more than 3km.” Ms Chesson says she has discovered while training the dingoes that they’ll chew through leather and drag things into their cages with their

paws — and even eat through wire and biscuit tins.

“Once they ate a pet rabbit and actually skinned the .whole animal with their paws,” she said. “Although people think they are lovely puppies living out in the desert, they forget that in the desert there are no tins of Pal and packets of dog food.” For those still wondering if a dingo could have taken Azaria, as her parents have always contended ... “They have to get out and eat live animals, and a baby would be no different from a rabbit.” Ms Chesson is no newcomer to the movie set, with the cast of past, present and future stars on her 121 ha property at Noweendoo in northern New South Wales including camels and kangaroos as well as dingoes.