Acclaimed account of sensational trial

Press, 28 July 1989, Page 30

Acclaimed account of sensational trial

By DAVID CLARKSON August 11 has been set as the video release date for the acclaimed film of Australia’s dingo trial, “Evil Angels.” It was widely rated as one of the top films of 1988, and is sure to make an impact on the video scene. Warner Home Video, the distributor, has issued a set of study notes which may be photocopied for schools that want to use the video for classroom work with senior pupils. But the video also presents a fascinating account of a disturbing, sensational trial that always seemed too close to home. New Zealand was involved because of the family connections, and because it had not long before put its own justice system on trial in the Arthur Allan Thomas case, and found it wanting. Now the video publicity says the two-hour tape will give viewers the chance to decide for themselves about the Chamberlain case. The Fred Schepisi film is based on the book by John Bryson. It stars Meryl Streep as Lindy Chamberlain, and New Zealand’s own Sam Neill as Michael Chamberlain. Streep, with an Australian accent and strength in her jaw, picked up her eighth Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of the mother who lost her baby at an Ayers Rock camp site in August, 1980. The authorities did not accept that the missing baby was taken by a marauding dingo, and two years later Mrs Chamberlain was convicted or murder, and her husband was convicted of being an accessary after the fact. She served part of her life sentence before new. evidence was unearthed and an inquiry lasting 102 days decided that a jury would have been told to acquit the Chamberlains. Their convictions were quashed in September, 1988.