the last wave far sum parts merely disaster film simply exploration australian aboriginal spirituality certainly simple court drama writerdirector peter weir manages take elements next level produce truly effective thoughtprovoking film eerie atmosphere gave picnic hanging rock two years earlier continue remember years laterbr br when lawyer david burton chamberlain called defend chris lee gulpilil death aboriginal may may directly responsible finds merely struggling get truth lee making sense hears come aboriginal belief two worlds  everyday dreamtime truth exists two completely different levels ramifications disastrous burton could ever imaginedbr br no doubt reason picnic hanging rock better remembered enduring mystery led along path forced find answers ourselves the last wave piece everything together end film however even information choose much want believe film takes us beyond borders normal realitiesbr br on production side weir uses budget great effect progressively building sense doom everything soft lighting heavy rain good use sound incidental music unobtrusive never trying grandiose richard chamberlain manages convey bafflement audience would doubtless feel tries unravel mystery david gulpilil excellently portrays man trapped two worlds wanting right thing afraid already knows endingbr br put things together perfect example david weir familiar name cinema thirty years on strongly recommended