You want a good crocodile flick which gives you the carnage but also well-meaning in its context, then you can't look any further than the 1987 Aussie exploitation ecological monster fare "Dark Age" starring a very young John Jarrett (who would be best remembered for his unnerving performance in 2005 horror feature "Wolf Creek") playing a Northern Territory park ranger Steve who's in-charge of conserving the disappearing crocodile population. But things go bad to worse, when locals start becoming a target for one very large crocodile and the hunters of the area (who always seem to a beer can in their hand) go about trying to wipe out the species. But Steve has a plan, but needs the help of an aboriginal elder who believes the crocodile to be sacred. You could probably say this was Australia's answer to "Jaws" and it would do a good job of scaring you out of the water. The material doesn't go into a lot depth with the character dramas (though they are there), but it effectively draws upon its conservational message but never letting it get in the way of a good jolt. Sonia Borg's smartly penned screenplay gels all elements rather well. Director Arch Nicholson (who also did the excellent 1986 made-for-TV survival hostage flick "Fortress") crafts out an exciting outback adventure, using conventional genre staples with unsparing force and the atmospherics of the terrain provided some arresting sequences of beauty and chills. Even the characters interactions draw up intensity, but it's the attack scenes which will stay with you. Watching the croc prey on its victims, then in a matter of seconds have them in a vice grip as we hear their bones crunching under the pressure with blood engulfing the water is an unnerving sight. But just seeing this creation in its glory is scary enough and the effects are outstanding, despite that it might seem a bit stiff in its movements. It's well shot and the camera uses different angles, which also helps. The performances are all game with some memorable turns by Max Phipps as gun-happy hunter John Besser, Nikki Goghill (whose blue eyes really stand out) as Steve's girlfriend Cathy, Burnam Burnam as the native elder Oonadabund and David Gulpill as his fellow tracker Adjaral. It had been awhile seen I last saw it and it surprised how well it actually stood up. Great nature-runs-amok outing which would make a perfect double bill with "Razorback"."We born. We die. Spirit lives."

A giant crocodile is killing and eating river poachers and small kids from the river banks.John Jarratt of "Wolf Creek" fame plays park ranger who is a big protector of crocodiles as well.The local aborigines see this bloodthirsty crocodile as a sacred reptile called "Numunwari" and they want to transfer the beast to its proper upriver.Arch Nicholson's "Dark Age" is a well-made and suspenseful animal attack flick which owes a lot to "Jaws".The killing of small aboriginal kid is quite shocking with its unexpected brutality.The croc itself looks realistic and menacing enough and the attack scenes are surprisingly vicious.The film is also rich in aboriginal myths and symbolism as it poses few important environmental questions.Can't wait to see Arch Nicholson's "Fortress".8 crocs out of 10.

The story of a ranger and two local aborgines who are trying to stop Numunwari (a giant Salt-Water Crocodile) from causing further havoc in their local waters. Throw in some violent poachers and a side story with a love interest and you have Dark Age.Dark Age is basically Australia's answer to Jaws. There are even some scenes that seem to be totally ripped off, but obviously executed in a different manner. Actually, I think I preferred some of the cinematography in Dark Age over Jaws. I think I liked a couple other aspects maybe a little more or at least as much as Jaws. Don't get me wrong, Jaws is a 10 (in my book) and this is a 7.5 (in my book, which is titled These Balls Be Jigglin!) The flick like I said had a side story with some lovey doveyness, and to be honest, it had completely care free results. Totally could have been done without. Though I do appreciate the sex scene. And overall, the acting was kinda hit and miss. Some guys had it, some people didn't. And damn, maybe it was my copy, but I had a toughass time understanding our aboriginal friends. Though I do like how they talk. It was a film that had a decent amount of horror and action, but it all felt a tad lackluster and the film would have seriously been memorable if it just had a couple more death scenes. Being such a big fan of our cold-blooded aquatic pals, I almost had to see this rare gem of a flick. With a nice twist on the monster animal genre and what seemed to be some under lying messages, the flick delivered more than just an action/horror/adventure flick. If you have any interest in giant animal flicks, you should definitely check this out. 7.5 outta 10

I saw this movie in 1992 when I stumbled across it in a video store. It is definitely worth having a look because it's hard to find. Having been to the country in which it was set - Australia - and seen plenty of Saltwater Crocodiles, it's somewhat realistic too.***SPOILER WARNING***In Australia's Northern Territory, a land of billabongs (waterholes), swamps, and rivers, a titanic-sized Saltwater Crocodile is killing people at an alarming rate. The state government enlists the help of a hunter (John Jarratt) to hunt down & kill the crocodile. But the local Aborigines believe that this particular croc contains the spirit of their past, and want the animal preserved, despite its continued killing of people. Eventually the huntsman comes up with a solution. He decides to trap the giant beast and have it relocated, so it will no longer trouble people. The Aborigines, one of whom is played by David Gulpilil (from 'Crocodile Dundee' - he played Paul Hogan's friend Neville Bill) go with the hunter into the swamps to find the crocodile before it kills again...***END SPOILERS***This one is close to being on a par with 1981's Alligator (dir. Lewis Teague). The crocodile himself is fairly convincing, having seen a crocodile of comparable size myself. The movie is based on Graeme Webb's novel 'Numunwari'. Webb is an authority on saltwater crocodiles; this story bears some resemblance to a pair of incidents in Australia's Alligator River in the early 80's when an Aboriginal woman and and a man were killed by a huge saltwater crocodile. After the first attack, just like in the movie, the Aborigines of the area did not want the crocodile killed. Although their wishes were respected, the following year the second attack took place - and the same huge crocodile was suspected. As this is very hard to find I would recommend getting it if you do find it!