Director: John Duigan

British actor Noah Taylor as 'Danny Embling'



This special DVD is reported to have "superb picture quality" compared with the US edition.



The movie was the first in a planned trilogy. Noah Taylor was born (in London) in 1969, so his voice probably broke a few years before filming. His performance (in only his second screen appearance) remains most impressive.



'It's Better in the Dark - Film Reviews with an Australian Focus':



Set in 1960s country-town Australia, this is the coming-of-age film that made Noah Taylor a star in 1987, and it's no wonder.



As 15-year-old Danny, a boy in love with his best friend Freya (Loene Carmen), he's a wonderful mix of sensitivity, awkwardness and sexual longing.



He can strum his guitar, wear dark glasses and dangle a cigarette from the side of his mouth, but he'll never be able to compete with the town's bad boy, Trevor (Ben Mendelsohn in hyperactive mode), when it comes to getting the girl to fall in love with him.



Written and directed by John Duigan, the film is beautifully shot by Geoff Burton, who captures the spirit of a hot golden summer where childhood dies and adult realities must be faced.



A soundtrack heavy with squeaky violin is the only real drawback.



The 21st Anniversary DVD contains a number of extras, the best of which is a conversation between Duigan and his three stars, now all grown up but still deeply affected by their experiences of making this film about "the summer when everything changed".