Director jeremy sims follows up beneath hill 60 with a road movie about a death drive across the outback. Last cab to darwin is a 2015 australian film directed by jeremy sims and written by sims. We began work on the screenplay more than eight years ago, he continues. Michael caton in last cab to darwin, a much nicer story than the reallife story it is based on. Originally written and produced for the stage in 2003, last cab to darwins writer reg cribb and directorcowriter jeremy sims have successfully managed to bring to life their interpretation of the true story of terminally ill broken hill taxi driver max bell who in 1996 drove 3000km from broken hill to darwin, in order to legally end his life via the northern territorys newly passed. Its a simple, heartwrenching premise, based on the true story of broken hill taxi driver, max bell. It is based on the true story of what happened to max bell, a taxi driver from. On the one hand, this story started in 1996, when a broken hill taxi. Last cab to darwin is directed by jeremy sims and stars michael caton, ningali lawfordwolf, mark coles smith, emma hamilton, jacki weaver, david field, john howard and alan dukes. Last cab to darwin is an adaptation of the stage play written by reg cribb about the true story of a taxi driver, rex played by michael caton, when diagnosed with terminal cancer, drives to the northern territory to take advantage of the voluntary euthanasia law.
Harnessing the intimate scale of the former and the root cultural vibe of the latter minus the extreme speed and transplanted location, cowriter and director jeremy sims last cab to. A sentimental road drama that reflects the realworld effects of cancer. Directed by jeremy sims last train to freo, beneath hill 60 from a screenplay by sims and reg cribb last train to freo, bran nue dae adapted from cribs play of the same name, last cab to darwin is a moving australian indie film about a man trying to take control of his life, or more specifically, of the end of his life when he finds out. When lonely taxi driver rex michael caton, the castle is informed he doesnt have long to live, he embarks on a colossal drive through the outback, from broken hill to darwin in this australian true story drama. Based on cribbs 2003 play of the same name, it stars michael caton, ningali lawford, mark coles smith, emma hamilton, and jacki weaver, who was in the original cast of the play.
Last cab to darwin its not so much the destination but the physical and emotional journey embarked on in this thoughtful, culturally authentic road trip. Last cab to darwin simply tells a story, and stories within that story, via fine direction. The depressing theme of the movie was brilliantly offset by some well thoughtout comedy, which didnt take away from the subject. Based on a true story, last cab to darwin is a rich and beautifully written character study that tells the story of rex macrae michael caton, a taxi driver from broken hill diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer, who drives. Taking the long way home in last cab to darwin the. Philip nitschke criticises last cab to darwin as comedic endoflife movie.
The story of the kelly gang, the first movie ever made in australia. Jeremy sims produced that play on stage, and i can. Last cab to darwin soundtrack details film music reporter. Last cab to darwin not the real story of voluntary. One could even make a case for jeremy simss last cab to darwin as a film that salvages a lifeaffirming message from. The theme of the delightful hungarian fantasy film a very moral night, made. This australian movie stars michael caton, who took the. From the overlanders to australia, from mad max to wolf creek and priscilla, this is where the quintessential australian story is told. Last cab to darwin is a 2003 australian dramacomedy stage play written by reg cribb and based upon the true story of taxi driver max bell who was diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer in the early 1990s. There are several fairly strong messages woven into the narrative, but none are shoved in our faces. In last cab to darwin, rex michael caton, a cab driver in the mining town broken hill, has spent his life avoiding getting close to people even his best friend and occasional lover polly. Reg and i spent many, many drafts refining the story, finding the tone, over many years.
One of the better feel good and sad australian movies in some time, the last cab to darwin would be an incredibly hard films to dislike and while it never breaks out into being an undeniably standout classic, its deserving of its warm reception and likely long standing place in the hearts of australian movie goers that found themselves. When rex is diagnosed with a terminal disease, he lost the will to live. One of the better feel good and sad australian movies in some time, the last cab to darwin would be an incredibly hard films to dislike and while it never breaks out into being an undeniably standout classic, its deserving of its warm reception and likely long standing place in the hearts of australian movie goers that found themselves investing in this likable tale of one mans journey to find himself in world that seemingly passed him by. Last cab to darwin explores some of the tough ethical issues around euthanasia, but misses the opportunity to present a balanced view of the debate. Last cab to darwin is an australian drama on rex, an elderly cab driver living in outback new south wales of australia, broken hill. When rex, a broken hill cab driver, is told he doesnt have long to live. Philip nitschke criticises last cab to darwin as comedic. A mild, largely inoffensive film, with a strong central performance from michael caton, last cab to darwin tells the tale of taxidriver max, who decides to drive through the centre of australia from broken hill to darwin, in order to legally commit assisted suicide, after the northern territory legalised euthanasia. Last cab to darwin tells the story of a taxi driver from broken hill, diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer, who in 1996 drove all the way to darwin to try an take advantage of the new euthanasia laws being enacted in the northern territory.
Based on a true story, last cab to darwin is a rich and beautifully written character study that tells the story of rex macrae michael caton, a taxi driver from broken hill. It is based on the true story of what happened to max bell, a taxi driver from broken hill, who died in 1996, age 66. Based on a true story, last cab to darwin never takes the easy road. If you like last cab to darwin you are looking for road movie movies about with dog, cancer, doctor, euthanasia, taxi, outback and australian outback themes of. The journey as allegory for life has been with us since the iliad and before, says director, writer and producer jeremy sims. Last cab to darwin interview with jeremy sims greg. The australian film last cab to darwin is currently in theatres throughout the country. Based on a true story from the mid90s, darwin follows a septuagenarian cab driver, rex michael caton, as he learns he has terminal stomach cancer and opts to end his life on his termsnamely, by being a guinea pig for the first legal euthanasia in australia. Last cab to darwin movie trailer, news, cast, interviews.
Adapted from the play of the same name, itself based on a true story, last cab to darwin has an air of authenticity combined with a definite, but not unwelcome, infusion of sentimentality. Offing oneself has never been more winning than it is in last cab to darwin, director. Great movie with excellent performances from the cast, especially the wonderful michael caton. Since then australian movies have almost become synonymous with the road and a landscape that most of us never get to see. Michael caton, mark coles smith, emma hamilton, jacki weaver, ningali lawfordwolf, david field, john howard. Since the hero of last cab to darwin is a loner who spends most of his days in his car on a desperate quest across the australian outback, you might be forgiven for thinking its too soon. I saw a lovely movie yesterday it was called last cab to darwin an australian film starring michael caton. Directed by jeremy sims last train to freo, beneath hill 60 from a screenplay by sims and reg cribb last train to freo, bran nue dae adapted from cribs play of the same name, last cab to darwin is a moving australian indie film about a man trying to take control of his life, or more specifically, of the end of his life when he finds out that his cancer is terminal.
Director jeremy sims last train to freo has adapted to the screen the eponymous 2003 stage play inspired by a true story. Michael caton delivers the drama in last cab to darwin. It is loosely based on the story of max bell, a terminally ill taxi driver from the news south wales town of. Michael caton has the starring role in the movie last cab to darwin directed by jeremy sims. Like the play, the film was inspired by the true story of max bell, a taxi driver who traveled from broken hill to darwin to seek euthanasia after he was diagnosed. It is loosely based on the story of max bell, a terminally ill. Although this stirring, darkly humorous piece is based on the 2003 play by reg cribb, who cowrote the films script with director jeremy sims, it. In last cab to darwin, rex michael caton, a cab driver in the mining town. Last cab to darwin is based on the true story of broken hill taxi driver max bell who, in the early 1990s, was diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer. Last cab to darwin is for michael caton what about schmidt was to jack nicholson.
Max decides to end his life with dignity and take advantage of the northern territorys voluntary euthanasia law. Michael caton is well known for comedic roles throughout his career and this film was a pleasant surprise to see his performance as he has been cast in a more dramatic role. While he is yet to see the film, dr nitschke has questioned whether it is appropriate to fictionalise bells journey in a comedic way. Rex isnt an unlovable sort, and hes integral to his social circle in broken hill, so it makes sense that his absence is immediately felt. It was actually based on a true story which made it all the more sad. The harm is that in retelling the story as a comedy road movie the true significance of max in the global. Directorwriterproducer jeremy sims talks about his movie inspired by a true story, last cab to darwin, and how jacqui weaver and michael caton got involved in the project.
Based on a true story about euthanasia and a man who has terminal cancer and wishes to practice his right to. Although the topic of euthanasia is important in this film, the focus is on what happens to people when they start drifting. Carter in last cab to darwin 2015 michael caton in last cab to. Share last cab to darwin dvd, 2016 currently sold out. In the early 2000s, reg cribb wrote a play based on the case, last cab to darwin, that. This explains why this film is a cut above many other aussie films and why last cab to darwin will feature heavily when awards season rolls around. Rex michael caton is a taxi driver who has never left broken hill and who finds out his stomach cancer is now terminal. Inspired by the true story of cabbie max bell in the 1990s, last cab to darwin is a beautiful film, well written, with excellent performances from all involved. Rex michael caton takes the role of max bell who drove his. Wendy mcdougall the play was based on the true story of cab driver rex bell.
For some of the film, its little more than a standard roadtrip movie. Ningali lawford and michael caton in 2015 australian film last cab to. Last cab to darwin is a 2015 australian film directed by jeremy sims and written by sims and reg cribb. Last cab to darwin not the real story of voluntary euthanasia stuff. When loner rex michael caton learns that his days are counted, he. Find where to watch last cab to darwin in australia. Last cab to darwin is a 2003 australian dramacomedy stage play written by reg cribb and based upon the true story of taxi driver max bell who was diagnosed.
The movie based on the stage play of the same title is based on the true story of broken hill taxi driver max bell who, in the early 1990s, was diagnosed with. Michael caton as rex the cab driver in a scene from the movie last cab to darwin. Trainwreck 2015 one mans determined search for euthanasia contrasts with one womans disdain for true romance, writes john mcdonald. Last cab to darwin 2016 rotten tomatoes movie trailers. Movie info in last cab to darwin, rex michael caton, a cab driver in the mining town broken hill, has spent his life avoiding getting close to people even his best friend and occasional lover. Last cab to darwin draws considerable influence from the american roadfilm. Last cab to darwin is a drama, no drama can function well, without the essential comic relief, and this is no exception, but let me say that here is a film that takes no account of contrived entertainment, neither does it preach, or dictate moral terms.
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