User reviews

A feuding yuppie couple whose marriage is slowly falling apart set out on a camping trip along a remote Australian coastline to hopefully rekindle their love. While, the husband is all geared up for the adventure with his new equipment, his wife would prefer to be at luxurious hotel. But this trip doesn't all go to plan with their constant friction getting even worst and they seem to take their stress out on the ecosystem. This reckless discard to the environment is soon reversed when nature decides to give a little back to its selfish protagonists.

Now this is want you call a man vs. nature film! And a real merciless one too! This low-budget, under-appreciated (if forgotten) Australian gem is far from your typical excursion into horror with a melodramatic backdrop involving the couples' martial problems, but the way the insightful story folds out you can't deny that this isn't one horrifying exercise when nature finally unleashes its devastating power with such an claustrophobic strangle hold. You might think the idea in this particular sub-genre would be hokey and overall, a campy b-grade animal feature, but here that's not the case because there's nothing cheap about the story and thrills, as it goes for some old fashion spookiness and slow grinding suspense, where we are asked to think about the couples' careless actions towards nature and the environmental message. There's a little bit more going on in the film's material and visuals then you might think and it does play on your mind with it's disorientating atmosphere.

The story slowly delivers in spurts a heavy amount of unbearable suspense and startling images that have a real unnerving effect with its terribly, uncomfortable mood. The nagging couple here are very obnoxious and a long way from likable, but they aren't suppose to be! The anger towards them is justified because they're the villains of this piece and we continuously witness their lack of respect for the surroundings. What nature has in store for them is powerfully effective and we can't help but be drawn into the brooding mystery of how its going to play out.

The picturesque location for the film is simply exquisite with the sprawling beach line and flourishing vegetation and wildlife. The way it can suddenly turn aggressive and change appearance after only being peacefully luminous (such in the weather and environment) makes it incredibly eerie, as you don't know what's up coming next. What caught this development was the hypnotic cinematography (done in anamorphic widescreen) that brought the wildlife off the screen with it's incredibly spacious execution and swift movement in following the couple around and great panning that captures all the small things. It has a semi-documentary feel about it. The foreboding sound effects of the nightlife really do have a strong impact on your senses with the jerky and high-pitch sensation eating away at you with such well placed tension and strange noises that won't let you escape. Also the quiet moments, since the dialogue is rather sparse, builds up the harrowing situation they're faced with. The hauntingly, charged score by Michael Carlos is just like a ticking time bomb waiting to explode with it's imminent dread and the tight editing nicely keeps the film moving until it reaches boiling point in the third act with an ending that shocks.

The screenplay by Everett De Roche (Patrick, Road Games, Harlequin & Razorback) is an intelligent look at the relationship between the carelessness of mankind and the suffering of nature, which it does takes its time in delivering justice. The plot's focus on the couples' marriage, which is on the rocks is an good companion piece with their inconsiderable intrusion on nature where they believe their own problems are more important and think less of their surroundings. The performances are astoundingly, realistic in their interactions by John Hargraves as the arrogantly, destructive Peter (who has a better connection with his dog) and Briony Behets as selfishly, close-minded Marcia. This is one stuck up couple you like to see crash and burn, and nature provides that wish.

'Long Weekend' is an sincere, atmospheric revenge tale with a ironically dour twist. It's a very well made production that maximizes its chilling backdrop, petering tension and stimulating concept to send chills down your spine.

...when I first saw THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, I kept thinking that I'd seen this basic idea before, and this was where it was. The basic setup is different -- this time it's a married couple who take their bickering into a camping weekend -- but the effect is identical, with supernatural forces terrorising them for daring to trespass onto the wrong territory. The suspense is a slow build, and there's even some touches that popped up in later flicks; for instance, the idea for the shot of the scorpion being run over by a truck in close-up during the opening title sequence of NATURAL BORN KILLERS was taken directly from this one. Part of the first major wave of Australian pictures that made a big splash in the States circa '79 and '80 -- among the others were GALLIPOLI, BREAKER MORANT and THE LAST WAVE -- LONG WEEKEND is, unfortunately, one of the forgotten gems of the period. If you ever see an old video of it in a shop somewhere -- anywhere -- grab it. And watch it...

I saw this for the first time recently. It is about a bickering couple who goes for a weekend picnic to an isolated place near a beach. From the beginning, the couple has no regards for mother nature. I found the film slow but creepy at times but as a whole, i didn't enjoy this film.

A bickering couple decide to spend a long weekend at a secluded beach. Once there, the disrespect they show for their surroundings leads to nature taking it's revenge on them.

This is the epitome of Australian horror. Not only is it the best horror film to come from down under, but it's one of the best horror films, period. I first discovered this film back in the late 90's and was quite blown away by it. I love the nature strikes back sub-genre, but never had I found such films to be legitimately frightening. "Long Weekend", however, really got to me. I'm happy to say that it's still just as effective to this day.

The mood, the haunting score, the atmosphere of the beach and the overall sense of nature conspiring against the characters all makes for a remarkable amount of tension. I love this film for many of the same reasons that I love "The Blair Witch Project", though there are many differences between the two as well. What's more, the animals attacks never come off as fake. A scene where an eagle comes in search of it's egg is raw and eerie. There are no fake birds on wires or men in bear suits to be found here. Our two leads aren't very likable, but that doesn't keep the film from being an unsettling experience. You have to love the ending too, which brings things full circle.

A masterpiece of mood and tension, "Long Weekend" stands the test of time.

"Long Weekend" is a well-done, environmentally-conscious horror film from Down Under. The plot is rather simple, but makes a point: when you snooty urban dwellers go camping for the weekend, don't do anything to p**s off Mother Nature! Which is exactly what our two selfish, unappealing protagonists do; they also have a marriage that's on the rocks (gee, I wonder if they'll make it through the weekend alive? Any takers?). The acting is good (though the characters are hateful and stupid), and the emotional intensity is complemented by a very brooding atmosphere of impending horror (the night scenes will give you the willies) as Nature gears up for revenge.

6/10

Watching the film almost 45 years ago and I of course would have been so much younger then. Looking at it then maybe we would have thought that we could just mess around never mind about destroying the natural world. I notice that the poster shouted: "Their crime was against nature" so perhaps it really was so odd then. So much has changed that now as soon as the film starts we find the couple rather strange and especially that the man smokes and drinks all the time in the car and chucks the lighted cigarettes and bottles out the window. Never mind that later decides that maybe cut down a tree and fire the gun where ever he likes. Now it looks really silly and then of course like the poster it says, "nature found them guilty". I rather find the couple, especially the man, seems so stupid it is difficult to enjoy the film but perhaps things really have changed so much.

When a suburban couple go camping for the weekend at a remote beach, they discover that nature is not in an accommodating mood.

If the credits are to be believed, the crew was quite small. Considering the budget was no higher than $300,000, this is entirely possible. Interestingly, the movie is shot in widescreen, which was unusual for such a low budget.

The investment paid off, as this film is not just a winner for its scares and its acting, but also for its use of landscape. With much of the action taking place on the beach, or in the woods, you really want to have your view as wide as possible. This further creates a sense of being "alone", showing no one lurking in the margins. Just as a tight picture creates a sense of claustrophobia, though here it is just the opposite -- no human to run to for safety is in sight.

"Long Weekend" was a bit of a flop upon release in Australia, but after going to Cannes in 1978 it was picked up for distribution around the world and was quite successful. Producer Richard Brennan speculates that this may be because the Australian landscape was less scary and foreign to the natives.

The movie gained a renewed relevance in 2008 when a remake starring James Caviezel was unleashed upon the world. Those who had not previously been aware of the classic were now having their eyes opened. This is indeed the beauty of remakes: likewise, the Australian cult film "Patrick" (also written by Everett DeRoche) was fairly obscure until it was remade, boosting the original's profile.

Unfortunately, lead actor John Hargreaves and director Colin Eggleston died prematurely and could not contribute to the DVD release. The Blu-ray release (brought to you by the impeccable Synapse Films) rectifies this by having an audio interview with Hargreaves, which is the next best thing. A full-length commentary is also provided by producer Richard Brennan and DP Vincent Monton, who have no shortage of stories to tell and are worth the price of the disc by themselves. Incidentally, the film looks and sounds great, and the widescreen presentation is the only way to see it -- those made-for-TV pan-and-scan cuts are dreadful.

The Synapse disc is no doubt the last word on "Long Weekend" and any fan would be wise to pick up a copy. Actress Briony Behets would have been nice to get for an interview, but she likely would have little to add that Brennan and Monton left out -- their commentary, again, is priceless.

If you get a chance to watch this movie, just do it! That's an order!!!

The leading couple is simply excellent. The natural setting, at first enchanting, becomes more and more frightening. The atmosphere couldn't get more gruesome. Only Australian films succeed in creating so much thrills. You'll never go to the beach the way you used to. Jaws made you terrified at the idea of getting wet, Long Weekend will convince you in staying comfortably at home on holidays. What is the fun of getting lost in nature like that, anyway?

The ecological message of the script, pretty obvious, never interferes with the suspense of the story. The main characters, evidently archetypes of the modern couple, are apparently doomed from the very beginning. However, the audience gets a weird masochistic pleasure in witnessing their nightmarish destiny.

Long Weekend is an unknown masterpiece that must be seen urgently. Please do!

With the obvious exceptions of Peter Weir's THE CARS THAT ATE Paris (1974) and THE LAST WAVE (1977) - not to mention the recent Texas CHAIN SAW-clone that goes by the name of WOLF CREEK (2004) - I'd say that Australian horror films are pretty rare. Therefore, while I was vaguely aware of this one, I have to say that upon watching it I found the film to be a surprisingly satisfying experience...in fact, quite a "sleeper", if you will!

Made on an obviously low-budget, this deliberately-paced chiller about a married couple on the verge of divorce deciding to spend their last weekend together at a remote beach (which nobody seems too sure if it really exists) could easily have turned out into another lazy DELIVERANCE (1972) rip-off - by way of WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? (1966) - but, while the city people vs. unforgiving nature theme is certainly there, the film adds a genuinely unsettling ambiance of helplessness which is further punctuated by the eerie noises emanating from the soundtrack the more the events take a weirder bent.

The film only has two lead actors but John Hargreaves' performance is particularly impressive as he grows increasingly baffled by his wife's reluctance to go through with the trip and, eventually, outright hostility to him, as well as by the sheer unpredictability of nature's "attacks" on the bickering couple: rotting food; malfunctioning equipment; an unlucky kangaroo is repeatedly trampled early on; a flock of birds inexplicably dives into the windshield of their vehicle; a roving possum; the corpse of a "sea cow" which won't stay still(!) and even an eagle in search of its mislaid egg!! The fact that the animals prey on their human antagonists for no apparent reason brings up comparisons with Alfred Hitchcock's THE BIRDS (1963) and there's even an unexpected dash of symbolism when the wailing cries of the orphaned sea cow pup start to haunt the couple who, we later learn, have gone through an abortion in the past; the fate of the aforementioned eagle's egg also adds to this disquieting element. To this is added a mystery ingredient when the other car the husband saw on his hunting excursions ends up at the bottom of the sea. Anyway, I won't spoil the twist towards the end (which, though I could see coming, is still imaginatively handled) or the terrific conclusion, which I'll just say was effectively bleak!

While I only watched this via Optimum's no-frills R2 DVD, I realize that there is an excellent R1 SE alternative from Synapse which I might decide to add to my collection eventually...

Mess with nature and nature will mess with you right back: that's the message of Colin Eggleston's impressive Australian 70s chiller, Long Weekend.

An estranged suburban couple, Peter and Marcia, on a camping holiday at a remote beach, upset the local wildlife with their inconsiderate attitude towards the environment. Peter litters the beauty spot with beer bottles, shoots up the place with his rifle, and chops at random trees with his axe; Marcia, recovering from an abortion (the result of an adulterous affair) vents her frustration and anger by killing the insect life and destroying an eagle's egg. The local wildlife decides enough is enough, and exacts revenge.

This wonderfully eerie and incredibly atmospheric movie may be a little heavy handed with its ecological message at times, but the positives far outweigh the negatives. A nifty supernatural slant sees the couple unable to escape from their remote location, travelling in circles and forever returning to the same spot (an idea echoed in later films, The Blair Witch Project and The Evil Dead II), whilst a sea creature killed by Peter refuses to stay put, creeping ever closer to the couple's encampment.

The film's leads, John Hargreaves and Briony Behets, give convincing performances as an embittered married couple who are reaching the inevitable end of their relationship, yet who still cling on to each other rather than risking facing the unknown apart. Hargreaves makes his character believably arrogant and inconsiderate, whilst Behets' Marcia is a real cow: selfish, bitchy and totally unlikeable.

Brilliant cinematography (every frame is beautiful to behold) and a really creepy soundtrack (both the music and the wailing animal noises) add to the movie's power to unsettle the viewer.

Some may find the story a little too leisurely in its unfolding—this is a real slow burner that doesn't rush things—but it is worth hanging in there, particularly for the great 'surprise' ending that finishes the movie perfectly.

Huge fan of killer animal movies and this as been on watch list for a few years, I really looking forward to this and the remake, I was going to watch them back to back.

This movie takes while to getting going, I don't mind some slow build up unless there go some where.

I found most of this movie very boring, the couple were very annoying, who could not care less if they were killed by these animals.

I Felt bored and frustrated throughout the movie, even Animals attacks scenes will really dull, Could have been done better!

I don't think acting the was bad, why would make two couple so annoying they you wish they do get killed.

The last scenes was bloody Joke, it's actually funny!

3 out of 10

Brilliant film, eerie and atmospheric. Stays on your mind for a long time after watching. One of my favourites. The part where the sea creature wails like a baby is especially good. The image of the eagle egg being smashed against the tree kept coming back and haunting me long after the film had finished. A lot of weird happenings in the film - what happened to the people in the other camper van? You never actually got to see them, just their vicious little dog! This is a film I could happily watch over and over without getting fed up. I would love to be able to get this video either on video or DVD but it seems it's been withdrawn. Can anyone help me get a hold of this video or DVD? I would be grateful to hear from anyone else who likes this movie too.

Let's be straight up about Long Weekend. Despite the references to Nature, and indeed, the spot chosen for a camping holiday does indeed appear to harbour a malicious spirit (manifest in inhabited animals), Long Weekend is at its heart a movie about trying to make a failing marriage work, with all the frustrations to do with mistakes and forgiveness and sharing. The cleverness of the movie is that the malicious Nature detracts sufficiently that we don't actually begin to hate this couple and their indomitable efforts to tolerate each other sufficiently to turn back the clock to happier times. If this wasn't a horror movie then only drama masochists would like this picture. But as a horror movie it is a different picture, and does have a lot going for it. Oddly, Nature, as a warning perhaps, declares war on the couple long before they provoke it. That is a delicious idea for a movie. Long Weekend reminds me of movies such as The Shout (1978), another out there idea movie, or Wake In Fright (1971), a similar study of a downward spiral. All three movies have that brave experimental style of the 1970s, all are a form of unique doom (which is bold even today), and all are high standard productions that manage to age well. For that alone it's well worth a look.

The good thing about Long Weekend is that it takes the time to build an unnerving atmosphere in this slow burn psychological eco-thriller as we follow a feuding couple who go camping on a remote beach in Australia in an effort to rebuild their fractured marriage, however the lack of respect they show for nature, and for each other, causes nature to strike back in subtle and unexpected ways.

The film allows us to get to know the characters and the reasons behind the contempt they have for one another, so while the characters are not particularly likeable we care about what happens to them which is testimony to both John Hargreaves and Briony Behets performances which are compelling throughout.

Aussie director Colin Eggleston takes a leaf out of Alfred Hitchcock's book and fashions an eco thriller along the lines of The Birds (1963) to great affect and although it is slow and does feel longer than it's 92 minute running time it does serve to maintain an atmosphere of unease so when something does happen it makes it much more intense without resorting to jump scares.

Long Weekend is a gem of a horror film and stays with you. A less effective remake was made in 2008.

Highly reminiscent of the earlier foretelling of doom from 'Frogs' (1972), 'Long Weekend' tells of a city couple whose marriage is on the rocks taking a short break to a secluded beach where their careless attitude toward nature leads to retributive justice. The message seems abundantly clear from virtually the outset, but our hapless pair have neither the cognisance nor compassion to do anything but dig deeper graves from which there's no prospect of escape.

Heavy reliance on metaphors with conversely little emphasis on dialogue, I felt that sometimes the editing was a little too quick to fully absorb what was happening in shot; similarly in post-production, music cues may have evoked more feeling in the dramatic scenes, although there's an undeniable vulnerability being exposed to just the sounds of nature in the context of the characters' isolation.

There's no shortage of ecological horror movies and the 70s produced a stunning array of antagonists to prey on mankind. That said, 'Long Weekend' may be the only exponent to use such benign animals (e.g. Dugong, possum) as threats even if their impact is largely indirect, and the real harm is caused by man himself.

Picturesque psychological thriller is perhaps too allegorical to satisfy the average 'nature run amok' punter and consequently may struggle to find a mainstream audience, but it's still well-worth the time with strong performances from both Behets and Hargreaves and the enduring message to take care of Mother Nature, or she'll 'take care' of us.

(Excuse the possible vocabulary or grammar mistakes, I am French)

The originality - and the force - of "Long week-end" is that it is an animal attack film... without animal attack. The two characters of the film commit a succession of little aggressions towards the Nature (with a great N), which will revenge herself, but never directly. Mentioning examples would reveal too much of the film. I will only say it is a real ambient movie, without action, but which distils a traumatic veiled anguish. The final is particularly perturbing and ironical. The term "unknown masterpiece" seems to be created for this film !

Long Weekend takes an idea that has been used many times before (nature rebelling against man), and blends it into an original and exciting little film, which manages to be inventive thanks to it's head-on approach and constant stream of action. Australia isn't exactly a heavyweight horror-producing nation, and so by default this film is one of the best that the nation has to offer. But that's not to take away from its quality as while I can't say that this is one of the best horror films period, it still has a lot to offer the cult cinema fan. The Australian bush has one of the most fascinating ecologies of planet Earth, and the film capitalises on that fact as we follow Marcia and Peter, a couple from the city who decide to go for a weekend camping trip to a remote beach in the Australian outback. Of course, they hope for a relaxing couple of days; but they don't get what they bargained for when it turns out that nature doesn't seem to like them on their patch, and the couple face threats from a number of animals that seem obsessed with ridding their environment of the couple.

Long Weekend stars Australian actor John Hargreaves and English actress Briony Behets in the lead roles. Films like this aren't renowned for great acting performances, but Hargreaves and Behets do more than what is needed of them and both manage assured and interesting performances. The special effects are good also, and the idea of nature rebelling against the couple is believable thanks to this. The idea of a couple being lost in an unfriendly wilderness has a habit of turning up great horror films; The Spanish masterpiece 'Who Can Kill a Child?' being particularly of note on this front. This film reminded me a lot of Peter Weir's effort 'Picnic at Hanging Rock', as the horror isn't always completely evident and the film seems to rely more on it's ambiance than the action for it's chills. The woodland setting is good also as it provides a nice backdrop to the story and isn't a setting seen too often in horror films. The film is good throughout, and the ending packs a punch as it brilliantly offsets the idea of nature being the main foe for most of the film. Overall, this film just falls short of the 'masterpiece' tag; but Long Weekend is still an excellent cult film and comes recommended.

'Long Weekend' is a textbook definition of a forgotten classic. It's a horror/thriller without many of the traditional horror elements. It'll give you a sense of dread and wonder, and stick in your memory forever more. The only reason it dwells in obscurity is because it was a low-budget film made in Australia in 1978, whereas if it were some feeble US B-grade schlock, it would be in every rental store and listed in Netflix. Fortunately, it has at last made it to DVD. When you get yourself a copy, you'll see a truly claustrophobic two-hander that uses the wilds of the Australian bush and a lonely-looking coastline to spectacular effect.

At no point does the shoestring budget hamper the storytelling even when it occasionally becomes apparent. A well-crafted script that only lets the plot out in bite-size pieces across the duration ensures you're too busy wondering just what is going on between the film's two characters, and the bizarre situation they find themselves in. John Hargreaves and Briony Behets play Peter and Marcia, a married couple who are clearly a gnat's wing away from divorce, for reasons not immediately given. The tension between them is as thick as the strange and chilling atmosphere of the lonely beach Peter takes them to in a last-ditch attempt to recover what they've lost. Something there seems determined to destroy not only their chances of reconciliation, but also prevent them from ever leaving. What is the horrible wailing they keep hearing? Will what happened to the people who stayed there before them happen to them as well? Did they bring it upon themselves?

The excellent natural locations, coupled with some excellent camera work and the odd well-placed sound effect prove no dazzling visual wizardry is needed to make a scary film. Naturally, you also need conviction from your performers, which Hargreaves and Behets give most convincingly. Together, these elements ensure that no more than two characters are needed to provide a provoking character drama and an uneasy thriller - the two levels juxtaposing in ways that tellingly feed off each other, surely making 'Long Weekend' the memorable experience it is for those fortunate enough to have seen it. I was a little disappointed at one element of predictability near the end - one part of the climax I could see coming a mile off. Maybe that was just me. Nonetheless this should not deter you from pursuing 'Long Weekend' - a study in humanity, and a telling point in horror film-making.

A tense couple take a break in the wilderness after their relationship is exposed, and find nature red in tooth and claw - but whose nature?

Couple of big themes going on here - mother and child + estrangement from nature, but I'm not sure it's worth the effort. The story is well paced, and all the creatures are nasty and exotic, but the central relationship in what is essentially a two-hander just didn't interest me.

The actors are fine, but the dialogue has no charm and it's hard to imagine the characters ever having enjoyed each other's company. So basically we have to spend 100 minutes with a pair of unlikable people - especially the husband, who presents immediately as a dickhead - without a hint of humour.

All the '70s influences, from twangly semi-tone music to pollution outrage. The dugong was creepy, until it heaved itself all the way in - a moment of bathos. And the wind-screen smash was an eye-roller as well.

Overall, needed a better script but directed and performed fairly well.