Few films have captured the rugged and unrelenting harshness of the Australian outback quite like Razorback. Directed by Russell Mulcahy, who would later achieve global acclaim with Highlander (1986), this cult classic has earned its place as a quintessential entry in the annals of Ozploitation cinema. Dubbed Jaws on Trotters, Razorback marries a grim tale of survival with stylised visuals that transcend its modest budget, resulting in a film as gritty as it is striking.

The Premise: A Savage Land

Written by Everett de Roche, known for his contributions to Australian genre cinema (Patrick, Roadgames), Razorback follows the story of Carl Winters (Gregory Harrison), an American searching for his missing wife, Beth (Judy Morris), a journalist who vanished while investigating the slaughter of kangaroos for pet food. What Carl finds instead is a world of violence, corruption, and an almost mythical wild boar with an insatiable appetite for destruction.

Set against the backdrop of the desolate Australian outback, the titular beast becomes more than just a creature feature antagonist. It’s a symbol of nature’s unyielding and untamed force—one that will stop at nothing to reclaim its domain from those who exploit it.

Russell Mulcahy’s Vision: Style Meets Substance

Mulcahy’s background in music videos is unmistakable in Razorback. The film is imbued with a hyper-stylised aesthetic, from its surreal lighting to its dynamic camera angles. The outback’s arid landscape is rendered with dreamlike intensity, transforming the desolation into a visual spectacle that’s as captivating as it is foreboding.

Despite its budgetary constraints, Razorback doesn’t skimp on its creature effects. The titular boar, while limited in mobility, is presented with enough shadow and menace to make its appearances genuinely terrifying. This approach aligns perfectly with Mulcahy’s talent for maximising atmosphere over explicit gore.

The Legacy of Ozploitation

Razorback stands as one of the great examples of Ozploitation cinema, a movement characterised by its low-budget, high-impact approach to filmmaking. Everett de Roche’s script deftly weaves a tale of ecological horror with sharp commentary on the brutal realities of rural industry, making it more than just a creature feature.

The film’s legacy also lies in its unapologetic edge. There’s a rawness to the violence and a nihilism to its narrative that’s distinctly Australian, echoing the harshness of the land itself. While its contemporaries in Hollywood might shy away from such bleakness, Razorback embraces it, delivering a visceral experience that’s as unique as it is unrelenting.

A Cult Classic with Bite

Though it may not have found widespread acclaim upon its initial release, Razorback has since gained a devoted following. For fans of creature features, it offers a refreshing departure from the typical fare, blending horror and thriller elements with an unmistakable Australian flair. For cinephiles, it’s a fascinating look at the early work of a director who would go on to helm iconic films like Highlander.

Razorback is more than just Jaws on Trotters; it’s a bold, visually arresting exploration of man versus nature, a testament to the ingenuity of Australian filmmakers, and a reminder that sometimes, the scariest monsters are the ones lurking in the shadows of our own backyards. As the sun sets on this retrospective, one thing is clear: Razorback still packs a ferocious punch, even decades later.

• Saul Muerte