Directed by:
Fred SchepisiCinematography:
Ian BakerCast:
Meryl Streep, Sam Neill, Jeff Truman, John Howard, Ian Gilmour, Deborra-Lee Furness, Luciano Catenacci, Gary Samolin, Tony Martin, Phillip Holder (more)Plots(1)
Meryl Streep and Sam Neill star in this documentary style film adaptation of the true story of Lindy and Michael Chamberlain, an Australian couple who lived the nightmare of losing their infant daughter during a family camping trip. When Lindy (Streep) spies a dingo nearby, authorities launch a frantic search, but all they find is a torn, bloodied garment. The press, distressed by the mother's seeming "lack of emotion," and suspicious of her strict Seventh Day Adventist religious beliefs, begin to accuse her of murdering the baby. The sentiment against her begins to grow, and soon the whole continent is talking about the case in a malicious witch hunt. Despite the lack of evidence, Lindy Chamberlain is imprisoned; although investigators eventually reexamine her story, the damage is done: the innocent mother's relationship with her husband has been irreparably destroyed and she has spent over three years in prison for a crime she did not commit. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Awards
- Winner
- Nominations
Academy Awards
- 1989 - Meryl Streep (Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role)
Golden Globes
- 1989 - Best Motion Picture – Drama
- 1989 - Fred Schepisi (Best Director)
- 1989 - Robert Caswell (Best Screenplay)
- 1989 - Meryl Streep (Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama)
New York Film Critics Circle Awards
- 1988 - Meryl Streep (Best Actress)
Cannes Film Festival
- 1989 - Meryl Streep (Best Actress)
- 1989 - Fred Schepisi (Golden Palm - Official Competition)