Evil Angels
Based on the true story of Lindy Chamberlain who, during a family camping trip to Ayers Rock in central Australia, claimed she witnessed a dingo take her baby daughter, Azaria, from their tent. Azaria's body was never found and, after investigations and two public inquests, she is charged with murder.
The film box office disappointment against its respectable budget of $15.0M, earning $6.9M globally (-54% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its distinctive approach within the drama genre.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 8 wins & 13 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Evil Angels (1988) exhibits carefully calibrated plot construction, characteristic of Fred Schepisi's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Lindy Chamberlain
Michael Chamberlain
Ian Barker
Stuart Tipple
Greg Lowe
Main Cast & Characters
Lindy Chamberlain
Played by Meryl Streep
Mother accused of murdering her infant daughter when claiming a dingo took the baby. Faces public trial and condemnation while maintaining her innocence.
Michael Chamberlain
Played by Sam Neill
Seventh-day Adventist pastor and Lindy's husband who supports her through the investigation and trial despite mounting public pressure.
Ian Barker
Played by Bruce Myles
Lead prosecutor determined to prove Lindy murdered her daughter. Aggressive courtroom presence focused on securing a conviction.
Stuart Tipple
Played by Charles Tingwell
The Chamberlains' defense attorney who fights to prove their innocence against overwhelming public opinion and flawed forensic evidence.
Greg Lowe
Played by Nick Tate
Forensic expert whose testimony about blood evidence becomes critical to the prosecution's case against Lindy.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The Chamberlain family camps peacefully at Uluru (Ayers Rock). Lindy holds baby Azaria while Michael prepares the tent. They are ordinary, devout Seventh-day Adventists enjoying a family holiday in the Australian outback.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Lindy screams "A dingo's got my baby!" Baby Azaria vanishes from the tent. The horrific moment transforms the family's peaceful holiday into a nightmare. Search parties form immediately but the baby is never found alive.. At 9% through the film, this Disruption arrives earlier than typical, accelerating the narrative momentum. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Second inquest is ordered due to public pressure and media speculation. The Chamberlains are forced into the public arena. They can no longer retreat to private grief - they must actively fight for their innocence in the court of public opinion and law., moving from reaction to action.
At 61 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat The jury returns a guilty verdict. Lindy is convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labor. Michael receives a suspended sentence as accessory. What appeared to be a case they could win through truth becomes a devastating false defeat - justice has failed them., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 88 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Final appeal is rejected. Lindy faces the reality of spending life in prison for a crime she didn't commit. Her faith wavers. The "death" here is metaphorical - the death of hope, justice, and faith in the system. She is at her lowest point., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 95 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. New evidence discovered by chance: Azaria's missing matinee jacket is found at Uluru, exactly where Lindy said it would be. This physical proof corroborates her story and undermines the prosecution's case. The breakthrough comes from outside the legal system., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Evil Angels's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Evil Angels against these established plot points, we can identify how Fred Schepisi utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Evil Angels within the drama genre.
Fred Schepisi's Structural Approach
Among the 7 Fred Schepisi films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Evil Angels takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Fred Schepisi filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include After Thomas, South Pacific and Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. For more Fred Schepisi analyses, see Six Degrees of Separation, Mr. Baseball and I.Q..
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The Chamberlain family camps peacefully at Uluru (Ayers Rock). Lindy holds baby Azaria while Michael prepares the tent. They are ordinary, devout Seventh-day Adventists enjoying a family holiday in the Australian outback.
Theme
A fellow camper observes, "You can't always believe what you see." This casual remark foreshadows the central conflict: the disconnect between truth and public belief, and how appearances can be deceiving.
Worldbuilding
The Chamberlains' world at Ayers Rock is established. We see their religious faith, family dynamics, Michael's role as a pastor, and the normalcy of their camping trip. Other campers interact with them. The setting of the remote Australian outback is established.
Disruption
Lindy screams "A dingo's got my baby!" Baby Azaria vanishes from the tent. The horrific moment transforms the family's peaceful holiday into a nightmare. Search parties form immediately but the baby is never found alive.
Resistance
Initial investigation and inquest. The Chamberlains cooperate fully with police. First coroner's inquest supports their account - death by dingo. But media begins circulating rumors. Lindy's stoic demeanor is misinterpreted. The couple debates whether to speak publicly or maintain privacy.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Second inquest is ordered due to public pressure and media speculation. The Chamberlains are forced into the public arena. They can no longer retreat to private grief - they must actively fight for their innocence in the court of public opinion and law.
Mirror World
Michael Chamberlain emerges as Lindy's primary support and thematic mirror. Their relationship faces strain as he struggles between faith in God's plan and the injustice they face. He represents belief and trust, counterpointing the public's disbelief.
Premise
The trial becomes a media circus. Forensic evidence is presented and challenged. The prosecution argues Lindy murdered Azaria, citing blood in the car and her unemotional demeanor. The defense counters with dingo evidence. Public opinion turns increasingly hostile. Media creates a narrative of Lindy as cold and guilty.
Midpoint
The jury returns a guilty verdict. Lindy is convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labor. Michael receives a suspended sentence as accessory. What appeared to be a case they could win through truth becomes a devastating false defeat - justice has failed them.
Opposition
Lindy imprisoned, separated from her family. She gives birth to her fourth child in prison. Appeals are denied. Public celebrates the conviction. The Chamberlains' marriage strains under the weight. Evidence continues to be reinterpreted against them. The legal system and public opinion close ranks.
Collapse
Final appeal is rejected. Lindy faces the reality of spending life in prison for a crime she didn't commit. Her faith wavers. The "death" here is metaphorical - the death of hope, justice, and faith in the system. She is at her lowest point.
Crisis
Dark night of the soul. Lindy processes her fate in prison. Michael struggles to keep the family together and maintain faith. They confront the existential question: how do you maintain belief in truth and justice when both have abandoned you?
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
New evidence discovered by chance: Azaria's missing matinee jacket is found at Uluru, exactly where Lindy said it would be. This physical proof corroborates her story and undermines the prosecution's case. The breakthrough comes from outside the legal system.
Synthesis
The case is reopened. Public opinion begins to shift. Lindy is released from prison. A royal commission investigates the miscarriage of justice. The Chamberlains are officially exonerated. They confront the media and public that condemned them, now forced to acknowledge the truth.
Transformation
Lindy and Michael stand together, vindicated but forever changed. The closing image mirrors the opening - they are a family - but the innocence is gone. They survived, their truth prevailed, but at tremendous cost. Justice came, but too late to undo the damage.