Watch The Devil's Playground

In the Australian film The Devil's Playground from 1976, written and directed by Fred Schepisi, we follow the journey of a young Catholic boy named Tom Allen (played by Simon Burke) as he navigates his way through a seminary school in the 1950s. The film addresses the theme of coming-of-age and the struggles of finding one's identity in a strict religious environment.

The movie begins with the funeral of Tom's grandfather, a man who suffered from Alzheimer's disease and went through a period of confusion and doubt regarding his faith before passing away. This sets the tone for the film and sets up the idea that questioning faith and morality is a recurring aspect of life.

Tom is a young boy with a passion for soccer and a deep devotion to his faith. He is seen visiting confession regularly and attending Mass every week. However, as he arrives at the seminary school, he finds himself questioning everything he's known and grappling with the strict rules and harsh discipline that are a part of the institution.

The seminary is run by strict priests who believe in corporal punishment and strict rules to maintain order. Tom finds himself being whipped for minor offenses and struggling to fit in with the other boys who come from different backgrounds and have varying degrees of faith.

The film focuses on Tom's growing awareness of his sexuality and his conflicted feelings about the church's stance on sexual morality. He forms a close friendship with another boy, Frank (played by John Frawley), who also struggles with his faith and is often punished for his rebellious behavior.

As Tom starts to explore his sexuality, he finds himself drawn to a girl named Narelle (played by Nicki Paull) who lives near the seminary. However, his feelings of guilt and shame for his desires conflict with his belief in Catholic doctrine. He also struggles with the idea that being a priest is what God wants him to be, and he feels torn between his duty and his personal desires.

The Devil's Playground is a beautifully shot, poignant film that explores themes of faith, morality, and coming-of-age. The cinematography by Ian Baker captures the beauty of the Australian landscape and juxtaposes it with the austere, almost prison-like environment of the seminary. The film's score by Bruce Smeaton is evocative and adds to the emotional weight of the film.

The performances in the film are outstanding, particularly the lead actor Simon Burke who brings a nuanced, subtle performance that captures the inner turmoil of his character perfectly. John Frawley is also excellent as Frank, bringing a raw energy to his role that makes him a captivating character to watch.

Overall, The Devil's Playground is a memorable film that explores complex themes in a thoughtful and nuanced way. It's a coming-of-age story that doesn't shy away from the darker aspects of the experience, and it's a film that remains relevant and resonant over four decades after its initial release.

The Devil's Playground is a 1976 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.