Dirkie

When I think of the film 'Dirkie' aka 'Lost in the Desert', I am immediately filled with numerous emotions; from pity for the child, to gratitude for how the film educated me, to amazement at how so few people appear to have seen it, to anger at the fact that none of my three movie books (nor any others through which i have flicked) make any reference to it! 'Dirkie' should be compulsory viewing for all children, as I am certain that, for me anyway, my life was enriched through experiencing it (and I was only five years of age)! While 'Lost in the Desert' was a mere 'support' to the main feature 'The Flight of the Doves'- mum having brought myself and my sisters to see the latter in 1970- 'Dirkie' blew us away! This masterpiece (I exaggerate not) was clearly aimed at a young audience, but having recently acquired -and viewed- a DVD copy, I have once again confirmed after 36 years, that this movie is so much more. Many of you have listed some of the profound images which have remained with you over the years, and I fully concur, but for me, Dirkie has so many more attributes; like the clever direction, timing and script, in addition to a rich soundtrack (of which we are not always consciously aware). The juxtaposition of sophisticated Chopin and images of primitive, arid desert was a move taken by an inspired director, indeed, the entire movie is inspired, with each and every scene having meaning, relevance and the ability to stir a spectrum of emotions in those who have the privilege to experience (and the intelligence to understand) it. I will be eternally grateful to the director (and his son) for the enjoyment which their creation has given me for so many years. Apart from all of the other things which this film has done for me, it succeeded in stirring primal emotions in me (a little 5 year old boy at the time) and inspiring me to dream.

i remember seeing this movie as a young boy more than 30 years ago, it was part of a double bill , i don't recall what the main feature was and i think that is testament to just how memorable this movie is. the images of the young boy believing he has eaten his dog , and his father dropping thousands of leaflets to try and help him, have stayed in my mind for all this time.there was also a scene where he crossed from one desert to another , made visible by the different coloured sand, also the ostrich egg scene which i vividly remember.

i really can't believe that so many people were moved by this film in the same way that i was . it amazes me that this film has never shown up on British television , or been released on video/DVD.

I have just finished watching the film "Duma" on one of the movies channels on Homechoice in the UK and throughout kept having flashes of a film I half remembered which I saw as a kid. At first I thought "Duma" must be a remake but there were too many deviations.

After a phone call to South Africa and a lot of arguing my Mother reminded me that as a kid we saw a movie called "Dirkie" at the drive-in in Joh'burg. I wasn't even at school and she has never yet managed to remember both plot and title.

I was sure she was wrong. I'd never heard of "Dirkie" and then I looked up the title on the Internet and had a great time reading all the comments.

I too remember this poor kid being chased by ostriches and getting stung by a scorpion. And walking for ever through the sand. Were the chapped lips and mouth that was stuck together the reason there was so little dialogue? Or was it that the boy was Afrikaans-speaking and the movie was being sold outside of SA?

So if you want to watch something similar (or perhaps you're a home-sick South African sitting in a freezing cold London) I recommend "Duma". It is a kid's movie but very touching. I think I'll have to find an excuse to watch it again.

I remember seeing this incredible film in 1977/78 in a double bill with 'Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger". I was three years old and yet it has remained firmly lodged in the back of my memory. The only problem was that I did not know the name of the film. I remember absolutely clearly the scene where the boy thinks the natives have cooked his dog, the boy realising that he has just eaten his only friend. I remember wailing and moaning in the cinema, traumatised by this act of impossible perversity. Finally i know the name of this film which made such a huge impression on me. i will track it down as soon as possible and I would suggest other imdb users do the same.

I watched this film as a 5 yr old and as i grew up i thought i'd dreamt it yrs ago,it had so affected me, and as an adult i tried to find it and like so many others i didn't no what it was called. so i searched for it for about a year and was so happy when found it, i was 38, so my search was finally over,i bought it from a south African shop thru the internet,it was quite good as i had to pay in rands and i had never done that before . it was on video and i couldn't wait for it to arrive, i think you can now but it on DVD,it was totally weird watching it as an adult and i loved it so much i watched it twice...back to back. i am so glad i am not the only person who was thoroughly affected by this film ... my daddy loves he'll come and find me ( that sentence still sends shivers thru me) thanks ... and it was doubled with oliver twist ...