Customer Reviews

Dark Age [VHS]

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DARK AGE is a 1987 Australian film which chronicles the exploits of a 25 foot crocodile. Unlike films such as CROCODILE, this one leans away from being a horror film; it's more like a Discovery Channel special. Not that the crocodile doesn't do some bodily harm, but it focuses more on the mystical Aboriginal beliefs than a horror film would. John Jarratt (Australia's Harrison Ford) has a stiff upper lip and plays a crocodile "guardian". The aforesaid 25 footer has attacked and killed two poachers, and Jarratt's boss wants the crocodile killed. Jarratts Aborigine buddy says no white man can kill this crocodile, who is special, and who has become a symbol of friendship and spiritual life for the Aborigines. When the crock kills a little boy, however, things change, and so Jarratt is joined by bounty hunters to find and destroy the crocodile. Aborigines however want to capture the beast and take it back to a safe secluded place where it can live in harmony with nature.
DARK AGE is an old-fashioned, sometimes gory, film and is harmless in its content. The special effects of the crocodile are subpar to what would come later, but for an old fashioned action yarn, DARK AGE is sufficiently entertaining.

I had been wanting to see this one after hearing some positive buzz. I must admit it left me dissapointed. Dark age is basically another jaws clone (albiet with way more sympathy for its villain). It is for this reason that the film confuses me, one minute the huge croc is swallowing a child whole and the next the croc and any other croc resembling it are being brutally hunted down. The filmmaker is unsure if the audience is supposed to sympathize with the people or the reptlies being killed in there own habitat. I am pretty sure its the latter considering the side story involves an aboriginie sworn to protect the beast. Dark age is well directed and acted. There is good scenery and pretty descent special effects considering this was made in 1986. Not to bad as far as the when animals attack genre goes.