ulyssesgammahose Absolutely perfect mix of low-key realism and expressionistic horror. I'd liken it to Straw Dogs, The Birds and Rosemary's Baby. It's more a psychological thriller than a straight-up animals attacking human film, but the savagery of the natural world is never far away.No special effects, very little music, just a young couple whose marriage unravels on an isolated beach, and at the same time nasty events happen which suggests nature isn't happy with them....it's all done in a believable way so the animal attacks may just be co-incidence. Very atmospheric, perfectly paced and great building of tension - reaching a real sense of dread in the last half hour.

Cujo108 A bickering couple decide to spend a long weekend at a secluded beach. Once there, the disrespect they show for their surroundings leads to nature taking it's revenge on them.This is the epitome of Australian horror. Not only is it the best horror film to come from down under, but it's one of the best horror films, period. I first discovered this film back in the late 90's and was quite blown away by it. I love the nature strikes back sub-genre, but never had I found such films to be legitimately frightening. "Long Weekend", however, really got to me. I'm happy to say that it's still just as effective to this day.The mood, the haunting score, the atmosphere of the beach and the overall sense of nature conspiring against the characters all makes for a remarkable amount of tension. I love this film for many of the same reasons that I love "The Blair Witch Project", though there are many differences between the two as well. What's more, the animals attacks never come off as fake. A scene where an eagle comes in search of it's egg is raw and eerie. There are no fake birds on wires or men in bear suits to be found here. Our two leads aren't very likable, but that doesn't keep the film from being an unsettling experience. You have to love the ending too, which brings things full circle.A masterpiece of mood and tension, "Long Weekend" stands the test of time.

DC1977 I saw this film on the strength of how Tarantino raved about it as some kind of unknown classic on the Not Quite Hollywood documentary.The 92 minutes it took to watch Long Weekend seemed like 3 weeks.The film is well made but as it is such a thin, boring story with poor dialogue, bad acting and two main characters who are so unlikable that it was impossible to care about them, this was destined to be a real drag.I usually write longer reviews than this but I'm not prepared to give up any more time on this film.Avoid it.

shark-43 LONG WEEKEND might not be for everyone - it is slow and subtle and the two leads are suffering from a tragedy and full of self-pity and complaints and I can see how their bickering could get on a viewer's nerves. But if you STAY WITH THIS film - it pays off. It is because of the slow pace of this film that everything builds perfectly - long a slow boiling pot - bit by bit - as they abuse each other and the natural surroundings around them - and shoot at animals and throw trash in the ocean and basically act like many humans in nature - "I am here and screw everything else" - it all comes to a head and punches you in the face. John Hargreaves is a very underrated Australian actor - he worked a lot in the 70's and 80's (Phar Lap, Beyond A Reasonable Doubt, etc.) and sadly died rather young - but he gives a terrific performance playing a rather despicable guy - and if he does not look like a blond Aussie Clive Owen - then I don't know who does.