Backroads 1977
Phillip Noyce's gritty 1977 action-drama *Backroads* follows two mismatched strangers on a wild ride through the Australian outback.
Director: Phillip Noyce
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Backroads (1977) about?
*Backroads* follows two strangers—one white, one black—who steal a car in western New South Wales and flee toward the coast. Along the way, they pick up hitchhikers and strangers, each moment escalating their petty crimes and personal tensions. The journey reveals their desperation and the societal cracks beneath the surface.
Who directed Backroads?
*Backroads* was directed by Phillip Noyce, an acclaimed Australian filmmaker known for his sharp storytelling and socially conscious films.
Who stars in Backroads?
The film stars Bill Hunter, Gary Foley, Zac Martin, Terry Camilleri, and Julie McGregor in pivotal roles.
Is Backroads (1977) worth watching?
Though unrated on IMDb, *Backroads* is a raw and compelling drama that offers a fascinating glimpse into 1970s Australian society. Its tight runtime and intense performances make it a worthy watch for fans of gritty character studies and outback cinema.
How long is Backroads?
*Backroads* has a runtime of 61 minutes.
About Backroads (1977) — A raw outback thriller about race and rebellion.
Phillip Noyce's gritty 1977 action-drama *Backroads* follows two mismatched strangers on a wild ride through the Australian outback. Bill Hunter stars as Jack, a cynical white drifter with a sharp tongue and zero patience for Aboriginal culture, while Gary Foley plays Gary, a young Indigenous man desperate to escape his past. Their unlikely partnership spirals into a series of petty crimes as they steal a car, pick up hitchhikers, and race toward the coast—each stop bringing them closer to chaos. Directed with a raw, unflinching energy, Noyce crafts a film that's equal parts road movie and social commentary, exposing the tensions of race and class beneath the sun-bleached landscape.
With its tense atmosphere and morally ambiguous characters, *Backroads* dives into the complexities of human desperation. The journey becomes a mirror for society's fractures, where every interaction—whether with a hitchhiker, a runaway, or an estranged uncle—unravels something deeper about connection and consequence. Noyce's direction and the electric performances from Hunter and Foley make this short but impactful film a standout of Australian cinema.