The Lost Tribe

This is a film that seems to get a pretty harsh time judging by the few reviews that I've read. Granted it's nothing spectacular but it did at least leave a lasting impression on me after seeing it as a youngster late one night on the BBC in the mid-80's. It's also worth noting that director John Laing received two awards for the movie soon after its release. What struck me upon watching it all those years ago was the beautiful location shoots and the very spooky atmosphere that permeated throughout aided by a chilling score and frequent nighttime footage. John Bach plays the dual role of identical twins Edward and Maxwell Scarry. Max, an anthropologist, has gone missing and is feared dead after going in search of a mysteriously disappeared tribe on a deserted New Zealand island. It soon transpires however that his disappearance coincided with the murder of a prostitute back on the mainland, for which the blame is fingered on Edward, who must now go in search of his brother to prove his own innocence.

Laing pays some nice attention to detail and is obviously quite a big fan of horror movies, even though this is as much a mystery as it is a horror film. Some of his ideas, such as Max's telepathic daughter, now seem dated but there are shades of The Wicker Man with the island setting and the hunted leading the hunter. The theme of good versus evil is quite nicely played out as well although perhaps it would have worked even better had Edward been a little bit more of a goody two shoes. Nevertheless it is as good a dual-role film as I've seen. That is partly down to the make-up department though more to do with the fact that Max only appears in the last few minutes by which point we've had ample time to build up a character profile of somebody quite nasty.

Although the movie gives us views of beautiful, and some inaccessible, parts of New Zealand, specifically the fiords, that's about the best part of it.

A movie that's dark in spirit and look can be powerful, but this one is just unrelenting. Representative of that is the spooky soundtrack, which could be a loop tape -- same beginning to end. The story builds as a case of white man foolishly poking into Maori prohibited lands and history, but shifts to something more pedestrian in a way that's predictable. It's a good New Zealand production for the '80s. Meaning, they tried to equal some of the great Aussie films of the period and didn't quite pull it off. My summary: Somewhat enjoyable but not memorable.

"Lost Tribe" is one of those films that for most of it's running time seems adrift, with the audience having no clue as to where things are heading. This actually works to the movie's advantage since curiosity keeps you watching. The screenplay could have used some tightening, and the clairvoyant little girl could have been been written out entirely. Her narration is not only distracting, but unnecessary. Strengths are the fine location photography, spooky atmosphere, and an ending that is somewhat of a mind bender. Overall, I can't say I was thrilled by "The Lost Tribe", but it is different enough to warrant a watch........ - MERK

Max Scarry, an anthropologist looking for the graves of a lost tribe of Maori goes missing. His young daughter seems to have visions relating to him (she also provides some narration). His wife and estranged brother Edward go to look for him. The local policeman and the boatman who'd taken the anthropologist out to the remote location don't seem very interested in finding him, and seem to want to discourage the wife and brother. Written on a mirror in the cabin Max used was a cryptic "home at last."

In addition to the above, a smaller storyline involves the discovery of a dead woman, and the man last seen with her had given Edward's name and matches his description.

Without seeing anything scary, and in fact without much happening at all, the movie does build up suspense and dread pretty well. The girl is fairly creepy, and I'm not sure what we're supposed to think about her. Edward can be pretty odd as well. Towards the end he starts finding some strange things, some relating to the lost tribe.

The scenery is very beautiful, and the musical score is pretty effective too.

I think I understood what happened in the end, but I couldn't swear to it. I'd be interested to know what other people thought of the movie. It's too bad it hasn't been seen more often.