The Well

The Well is a 1997 Australian film directed by Samantha Lang and starring Pamela Rabe, Miranda Otto, Paul Chubb, and Frank Wilson. It is based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Elizabeth Jolley. Synopsis A young girl named Katherine and her older friend Hester live on an isolated farm run by Hester and her father Francis. Katherine works as a maid and wants to leave because there's too much work. Hester, however, becomes attracted to Katherine and holds her there, promising to give her less work in the future. When Francis dies, Hester decides to sell the farm for cash. They move to small cottage on the edge of the farm and plan to go to Europe. But a tragic accident and the theft of their money change their plans. Cast Pamela Rabe as Hester Miranda Otto as Katherine Paul Chubb as Harry Bird Frank Wilson as Francis Harper Steve Jacobs as Rod Bordern Geneviève Lemon as Jen Bordern Simon Lyndon as Abel Kati Edwards as Molly Luke Harrison as Bordern Child Daniel Harrison as Bordern Child Jennifer Kent as Marg Trinder Stephen Rae as Murray Trinder Cameron Shanahan as Bordern Child Miles Shanahan as Bordern Child Paul Caesar as Jock Annalise Lise as Lover Jamie McLeod as Hitchhiker Production Sandra Levy bought the rights to the novel and hired Laura Jones to adapt. They worked on the project for around six years, and then Samantha Lang became involved as director.