In the 1930s, the Australian government began a program to breed out Aboriginal blood by systematically relocating all female “half castes” (interracial children) to special schools for indoctrination. At these schools the girls would undergo cultural brainwashing so that they may exhibit socio-conformity with that of their white captures. Eventually, these girls would be forced to have to children with white men, gradually thinning the Aboriginal bloodline generation by generation.

Rabbit-Proof Fence brings to light these dark times as we follow the daring escape of three sisters from once such school some 1,500 miles from home. Through sheer determination, the clever girls attempt to elude the authorities and find the rabbit-proof fence that will lead them home.

Director Phillip Noyce, mostly known for his Tom Clancy adaptations (Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger), switches gears in dramatic fashion as he heads to his homeland of Australia. Based on the book by the same title (written by the daughter of the lead child Molly), you can tell that Noyce is committed to the film and offers a taut and well-researched vision.

Noyce and the casting team deserve credit for putting together a steady ensemble and landing Kenneth Branagh who is sufficiently slimy as A.O. Neville, “Chief Protector” of the Aborigines. However, what ties all these components together is the compelling score from world music extraordinaire Peter Gabriel.

Despite the myriad of accomplishments that Rabbit-Proof Fence presents, the audience is still left emotionally wanting. The subject matter and storyline have such weight and depth that it is unfortunate that its full effect is never realized. Aside from a powerful ending, the emotional scale remains in perfect balance for the duration of the film with nary a scene to provide insight into the characters’ sense of being.

Despite its inability to reach its full potential, Rabbit-Proof Fence is definitely worth a screening as it provides an eye-opening account of unconscionable racism.

Adam Neal is the founder of featurefilmreview.com. E-mail comments to him at adam(@)featurefilmreview.com.