Backroads (1977)

Backroads unravels the extraordinary journey of Bill, a white vagabond, whose life takes an unexpected detour following a serendipitous encounter with Gary, an Aboriginal man. A stolen car becomes their vessel of discovery, transporting them through a world filled with petrol fumes, pilfered supplies and improbable friendships. Their transient companions include another Aboriginal man fleeing the ruins of a failed marriage, and a disenchanted white woman yearning for freedom from her mundane existence as a service station owner's wife. A French backpacker briefly punctuates their seemingly aimless expedition. Their journey, however, is more than just an escape from law enforcement and the tedium of life. It becomes a volatile crucible where boredom and guns form a lethal amalgamation. As Bill and Gary navigate this unpredictable landscape, their dialogues imbue Backroads with a potent political commentary, offering the viewer a rare glimpse into the intricacies of Aboriginal culture and contrasting white ideologies. Directed by Phillip Noyce in his debut feature, Backroads is a raw cinematic experience that sometimes indulges in its vast narrative expanse, mirroring the aimless odyssey of its main characters. Despite its occasional long-windedness, the film manages to hold the audience captive, inviting them to embark on a unique journey through a landscape that's as culturally rich as it is politically charged.

Backroads is an action movie featuring Bill Hunter.

Backroads is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy.