The Devil's Playground [M]

The boys of an Australian seminary school have vocations of joining Priesthood, but their road to that goal is filled with trials and tribulations brought on by their school’s ancient and monolithic set of rules that must be adhered to. Amongst those struggling the most are the pre-pubescent likes of Tom Allen and his mates, with hair just beginning to sprout and bodies that are always compelling them towards sexual satisfaction. As various events unfold, Tom’s faith begins to weaken under the strain and it’s not long before he’s faced with the question of whether to stay or turn his back on it all. 

Made during Australia’s cinematic heyday in the 1970s, Fred Schepisi’s coming-of-age drama is both a poetic and confronting look into the world of religion and, in particular, religious schooling where the body conflicts with the mind and misinterpretations can threaten the lives of people. Not a religious person myself, nor having any religious upbringing or exposure, this review may come off as being a little aloof or even bias and I recognise and apologise for that. Keep in mind these are just my thoughts on a film, not so much commenting on the film’s content. 

The boys of an Australian seminary school have vocations of joining Priesthood, but their road to that goal is filled with trials and tribulations brought on by their school’s ancient and monolithic set of rules that must be adhered to. Amongst those struggling the most are the pre-pubescent likes of Tom Allen and his mates, with hair just beginning to sprout and bodies that are always compelling them towards sexual satisfaction. As various events unfold, Tom’s faith begins to weaken under the strain and it’s not long before he’s faced with the question of whether to stay or turn his back on it all. 

Whilst simultaneously being a little bit of an anticlimactic ride with a plethora of loose ends fraying off in all directions, The Devil’s Playground is not without compelling charm. Chronicling the life and struggles of pre-adolescent Tom Allen, played wonderfully by Simon Burke, the film is more an exploration into the inner struggles of those deprived as well as an exhibition of what happens when there are just too many rules. What’s particularly fascinating about the film is that, although there is a clear protagonist each and every character, student and teacher alike, are conflicted by the same threats and challenges. And it’s fair to say that not all of them manage to come out on top. 

All the performances are brilliant, but the film’s form is particularly captivating, especially Schepisi’s way of filming sexual tension between Tom and a friend. Rather than focusing a fixed mid shot or even a close up of the face, close ups of the boys’ fidgeting hands and feet are cut together in a sort of jagged but flawless fashion and it really makes an impression. 

Starring Charles McCallum, John Frawley Arthur Dignam, Nick Tate, Pete Cox, Jonathan Hardy, Gerry Duggan, Thomas Keneally, Sheila Florance, John Diedrich, Alan Cinis, Richard Morgan, Rowan Currie, and Gary Pixton, The Devil’s Playground is a captivating film that’s filled with tension, drama, growth, and conflict. I’ll admit that it does seem that nothing much happens throughout the movie, but it’s the story’s conflicts, the memorable script, and the performances that make this movie something that sticks.