Rabbit-Proof Fence 2002

In the parched outback of Western Australia, circa 1931, three young souls - Molly, a spirited 14-year-old, her younger cousin Gracie, and precocious Daisy, just 8 years old - dwelled in the rustic town of Jigaling, nestled along the northern stretch of the iconic rabbit-proof fence that stretched across the continent. This seemingly idyllic setting was about to be disrupted by the distant machinations of A. O. Neville, the self-proclaimed Protector of Western Australian Aborigines, who harbored a sinister agenda for these three innocent children.

From his Perth offices, Neville (referred to as “Mr. Devil” by those who knew him) signed an order that would forever alter their lives. Labeling them “half-castes,” he decreed that Molly, Daisy, and Gracie be relocated to the Moore River Native Settlement, a desolate outpost where they would be forced to assimilate into white society. Neville’s justification for this draconian measure was rooted in his warped belief that the Aboriginal people were a danger to themselves, and that by breeding out “half-castes,” he could ensure the eventual erasure of their Aboriginal heritage.

As fate would have it, the local constable, Riggs, arrived at Jigaling, accompanied by an air of authority and a stern expression. Under his watchful eye, the three girls were forcibly taken from their families and dispatched to their new “home” in the distant south-west, approximately 90 kilometers north of Perth. The journey would be a long and arduous one, marking the end of their carefree lives in Jigaling.

Upon arrival at the Moore River Native Settlement, the trio found themselves confined within a large dormitory, surrounded by dozens of other children who were subjected to a strict regimen of rules and punishments. The nuns tasked with overseeing this institution proved merciless, prohibiting the girls from speaking their native language, forcing them to pray, and meting out corporal punishment for any perceived infractions. Any attempts at escape were swiftly and brutally crushed, leaving the trio feeling trapped and desperate.

It was amidst this bleak backdrop that Molly, fueled by a fierce determination to reclaim her freedom, hatched a plan with her cousins to make their escape during an impending thunderstorm that would provide them with a fleeting window of opportunity. The stage was set for a daring bid for liberty, as the three young fugitives embarked on a perilous journey back to the only home they had ever known - Jigaling.

As Moodoo, a relentless tracker from the camp, hotly pursues them through the unforgiving skies, the trio of resilient young girls - Gracie, Daisy, and Molly (no last name provided) - find themselves driven back to the rabbit-proof fence that will ultimately guide them towards the promise of freedom and reunion with their loved ones. With Moodoo’s constant pursuit mere moments behind, they embark on a grueling odyssey along the fence, narrowly evading capture multiple times as they press onward. Meanwhile, word spreads throughout their network that Gracie’s mother awaits her in the town of Wiluna, and an Aboriginal traveler, motivated by financial gain rather than benevolence, whispers this news to Gracie, ultimately fueling her decision to leave her companions behind and make a desperate bid to reach Wiluna by train. Molly and Daisy, undeterred and driven by their own determination, track down Gracie at a train station, only to find themselves separated once more as she falls prey to the treachery of Riggs, who reveals his true intentions - exploiting the girls’ plight for personal gain.

Crushed but unbroken, Molly and Daisy continue their perilous journey across the harsh Australian outback, walking the arduous 2,400-kilometer route along the fence for a grueling nine weeks. Eventually, they emerge victorious, reuniting with their mother and grandmother in a desert hideaway, where they finally find solace and safety. Meanwhile, Neville’s search efforts ultimately fizzle as he realizes the cost is too great to continue pursuing the sisters.

The film concludes with a poignant epilogue, featuring recent footage of Molly and Daisy, now weathered by time. Gracie’s fate is revealed: she never returned to Jigalong, having perished in her quest for freedom. Molly shares tales of her own resilience, recounting how she escaped Moore River with one daughter, Annabelle, only to lose her once more at the tender age of three. With a heavy heart, Molly declares that she and Daisy will never again set foot in the place from which they were torn: the hauntingly beautiful yet unforgiving Jigalong.