--- title: "Rabbit-Proof Fence: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/rabbit-proof-fence/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/rabbit-proof-fence" critics_score: 72 critics_reviews: 14 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002): what the critics said Critics' score 72 from 14 reviews: 8 positive, 6 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics find Rabbit-Proof Fence moving and visually assured, with praise concentrated on the young performers and Christopher Doyle’s cinematography. The girls’ naturalistic acting, particularly Everlyn Sampi’s portrayal of Molly, gives the account of injustice much of its emotional force. Doyle’s treatment of the stark landscape and Peter Gabriel’s score also draw repeated approval, while several reviews welcome the film’s restraint and lack of sentimentality. The spread runs from enthusiastic to mixed, with no outright negative verdicts among the supplied scores. Reservations concern the handling of the politics and the effectiveness of the drama rather than the subject’s importance. The Los Angeles Times finds the film affecting but criticises its uneven political argument and one-dimensional portrayal of Mr. Neville. Slant Magazine is less persuaded by its emotional reach, finding that it lacks an emotional hook and falls short of its political ambitions. ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Rating 3.5/4. Ebert gives the film a positive review, finding it moving and powerful. He singles out its beauty and deep sadness. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/rabbit-proof-fence-2002) ## Empire — Jo Berry Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. Berry finds the film moving and fascinating, praising its emotional restraint. She singles out the three girls’ performances, especially Everlyn Sampi’s portrayal of Molly. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/rabbit-proof-fence-review/) ## Total Film — Total Film Rating 4/5. 8 November 2002. The review calls the film moving, haunting and a powerful tribute to the human spirit. It praises the girls’ naturalistic performances and the film’s striking visual storytelling. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/rabbit-proof-fence-review/) ## Variety — David Stratton Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 18 February 2002. Stratton finds the film emotionally effective and successful in advancing sympathy for the Aboriginal cause, despite its lack of the poetic vision of Walkabout. He especially praises the young performers and the final footage of the real Molly and Daisy. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2002/film/awards/rabbit-proof-fence-1200551262/) ## The AV Club — Keith Phipps Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 22 January 2003. Phipps finds the film memorable and effective, though some choices weaken its dramatic thrust. He praises Christopher Doyle’s imagery, Peter Gabriel’s score, and the young actors’ expressive faces. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/rabbit-proof-fence-1798198180) ## The Guardian — Philip French Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 10 November 2002. The critic calls it a forceful, gripping, unsentimental account of injustice. He singles out Christopher Doyle’s beautiful photography of the stark landscape and Peter Gabriel’s haunting score. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2002/nov/10/features.review57) ## The Independent — Anthony Quinn Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 8 November 2002. Quinn recommends the film for its beauty and emotional force, while finding its moral treatment less troubling than The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith. He especially praises Christopher Doyle’s striking cinematography and the naturalistic performance of Everlyn Sampi. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/rabbitproof-fence-pg-126739.html) ## Screen Daily — Frank Hatherley Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 2 February 2002. The accessible page identifies this as a review, but its critical assessment is unavailable. No specific praise or complaint can be verified from the visible text. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/rabbit-proof-fence/408200.article) ## The New York Times Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 29 November 2002. The page is inaccessible, so the critic’s verdict cannot be established. The URL headline concerns Aborigine girls fleeing a racist program, but the review’s specific praise or complaint is unavailable. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/29/movies/film-review-aborigine-girls-run-away-from-a-racist-program.html) ## Time Out — TCh Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). The page identifies itself as a review, but its article text is unavailable, so the critic’s verdict cannot be determined. No specific praise or complaint can be verified from the provided content. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/rabbit-proof-fence) ## Slant Magazine — Chuck Rudolph Rating 2.5/4. 25 November 2002. Rudolph argues that the film lacks an emotional hook and falls short of its political ambitions. He praises the final shots for giving the story the authority it otherwise lacks. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/rabbit-proof-fence/) ## Los Angeles Times — Manohla Dargis Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 29 November 2002. Dargis finds the film a serious, affecting work whose political argument is sometimes over- and under-cooked. She praises the young actresses and Christopher Doyle’s evocative cinematography, while criticizing the one-dimensional portrayal of Mr. Neville. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-nov-29-et-dargis29-story.html) ## Radio Times — Alan Jones Rating 3/5. Jones finds the drama worthy and self-important but ultimately impactful. He praises its photography and its illumination of a shameful period in Australia's past. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-aqggdh/rabbitproof-fence/) ## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 17 August 2002. The critic finds the film a powerful, deeply moving account of cruelty and survival. They single out the children’s honest performances and Christopher Doyle’s raw cinematography for praise. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/rabbit-proof-fence-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/rabbit-proof-fence.md