Trial Run

Trial Run video

Trial Run - 1984

Mirage Film Productions - 91 min.

Cast: Annie Whittle, Judith Gibson, Christopher Brown, Phillipa Mayne, Martyn Sanderson, Stephen Tozer, Lee Grant.
Crew: Screenplay: Melanie Read; Photographer: Allen Guilford - Penguin photographer: Robert Brown; Editor: Finola Dwyer; Music: Jan Preston; Producer: Don Reynolds; Director: Melanie Read.

A 35-year-old mother of two, keen runner and aspiring wildlife photographer, is given her first professional assignment, which requires leaving Auckland to rent a coastal cottage (on the Whangaparoa Peninsula). Her son is also a runner, and with records in mind, devises a way to improve his mother's performance. At the cottage strange, threatening occurrences convince her that she is being stalked by an unseen enemy. A psychological thriller with a decided feminist point of view.

Censor Rating: PG - Review Rating: C+

AVAILABILITY OF VHS OR DVD COPIES

New PAL VHS copies were last selling for $25nz. Used PAL copies have been spotted under 10eur or $20nz.

SOUNDTRACK ON AUDIO CD

No known soundtrack CDs of this title.

REVIEWS

Time Out Review

Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide Review

Moria Review

"Read tried to make Trial Run with an all- woman crew but found this was not possible. However, about three- quarters of the crew and most important positions were held by women. Some people in the industry saw this as sexist, and depriving men of jobs. But Read says " I know it is hard for women to get started in the film industry. You have to exercise positive discrimination'" - (Kirstie Hamilton, "A Feminist Thriller?", New Zealand Listener, October 6, 1984)

"The standard woman- in- jeopardy formula gets stood firmly on end. For once female characters are shown as competent, responsible, and quite capable of fighting their own battles. Within the device of a genre movie, Read has pulled some daring switches and made them work most convincingly. She has done us all a big favour" - (Marc Knowles, "Feminine Touch", The Evening Post, November 11, 1984)

TRAILER & MISC

Official Trailer

Information at IMDB

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