Forty Thousand Horsemen: 1940
An epic film now also recognised internationally as a classic. Dramatising the exploits of the Australian Light Horse in Palestine during World War I, the film builds to a powerful climax with the great cavalry charge of Beersheba. It is a moving tribute to the Australian soldier. This is also the film in which Chips Rafferty first used the persona of the lean, laconic bushman that was to make him a legend. Starring Grant Taylor and Chips Rafferty.
Tagline: Reliving the most glorious pages of Australia's history
Directed by
Charles Chauvel
Genre: War
Rating: 7.3 out of 10
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Von Hausen |
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Juliet Rouget |
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Jim |
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Von Schiller |
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Red Gallagher |
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Larry |
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Scotty |
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Sheik Abu |
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User Comments:
possibly the most exciting cavalry charge ever filmed, 9 July 2001
Although filmed 60 years ago I cannot
think of a more thrilling realisation on film of a massed cavalry assault. The
scene, which is sustained for several minutes, recreats the WWI charge of the
Australian light horse on the Turkish-held town of Beersheeba, Palestine, in
1917. This is generally accepted as the last successful cavalry charge in
military history (typically some eggheads - probably Brits - quibble on
whether it was a true cavalry charge because the Australians were armed with
bayonets rather than sabres; not that the distinction meant much to the
unfortunates who ended up skewered on the end of them.)
Also noteworthy for the presence of Chips Rafferty, in a typical role as a
gangling Aussie bushmen, and who, in the days before Paul Hogan, represented
the Australian male as he liked to imagine himself.
Walkabout (1971)
Directed by
Nicolas Roeg
Genre: Drama
Tagline: A boy and girl face the
challenge of the world's last frontier. Dangers they had never known before...
A people they had never seen before...
(more)
Plot Summary: Two young children are stranded in the
Australian outback and are forced to cope on their own. They...
(more)
Rating: 7.6/10
| Complete credited cast: | ||
| Jenny Agutter | .... | Girl |
| Luc Roeg | .... | White Boy (as Lucien John) |
| David Gulpilil | .... | Black Boy (as David Gumpilil) |
| John Meillon | .... | Man |
| Robert McDarra | .... | Man (as Robert McDara) |
| Peter Carver | .... | No Hoper (as Pete Carver) |
| John Illingsworth | .... | Young Man |
| Hilary Bamberger | .... | Woman |
| Barry Donnelly | .... | Australian Scientist |
| Noeline Brown | .... | German Scientist (as Noelene Brown) |
| Carlo Manchini | .... | Italian Scientist |
User Comments: Who Says Silent Cinema Is Dead?
Although this is a sound film, and the characters talk to one another, this
film could have been made just as well in the 1920s. It does not really need
sound.
The film is about nature, and man's relationship with it. If a civilised
person were left out in the desert, then they would soon die. But, as this
film shows, there are people and creatures living out there quite happily.
The film has been criticised for having a weak beginning and a weak end. But
where does the story of this film start? And where and when would you end it?
Yes you can end it when the two children get back to civilisation. But does
the story end there? No. Because of their experiences, things are never going
to be the same again. And for them, the story has not finished, it is only
just beginning.
I have seen this film several times and I notice something different every
time I see it.
Trivia: The poetry quoted by the
narrator at the end of the film is Part 40 of A.E. Housman's 'A Shropshire
Lad': Into my heart an air that kills From yon far country blows: What are
those blue remembered hills, What spires, what farms are those? That is the
land of lost content, I see it shining plain, The happy highways where I went
And cannot come again.
(more)
Goofs: Errors in geography: The girl asks to be taken to the
city of Adelaide, the children's destination in the novel. However, the city
shown at the start and end of the film is clearly Sydney, which is several
thousand kilometers (and two states) away from Adelaide.
(more)
Quotes:
The Girl: We're
English! English, do you understand? This is Australia, yes? Where is
Adelaide?
White Boy: Ask him
for water!
Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975)
Directed by
Peter Weir
Tagline: Australia's First
International Hit! [Video Australia]
(more)
Plot Outline: "Picnic at Hanging Rock"
is a story about the disappearance of several Appleyard College students, and
a teacher, from Hanging Rock.
(more)
(view trailer)
Rating: 7.6/10
| Cast overview, first billed only: | ||
| Rachel Roberts | .... | Mrs. Appleyard |
| Vivean Gray | .... | Miss McCraw |
| Helen Morse | .... | Mlle. de Poitiers |
| Kirsty Child | .... | Miss Lumley |
| Tony Llewellyn-Jones | .... | Tom (as Anthony Llewellyn-Jones) |
| Jacki Weaver | .... | Minnie |
| Frank Gunnell | .... | Mr. Whitehead |
| Anne-Louise Lambert | .... | Miranda (as Anne Lambert) |
| Karen Robson | .... | Irma |
| Jane Vallis | .... | Marion |
| Christine Schuler | .... | Edith |
| Margaret Nelson | .... | Sara |
| Ingrid Mason | .... | Rosamund |
| Jenny Lovell | .... | Blanche |
| Janet Murray | .... | Juliana |
User Comments:
1975's "Picnic at Hanging Rock" was one of the most lyrically eerie,
atmospheric films I've seen-- a classic... so what was Director Weir trying to
accomplish by cutting 7 or 8 minutes out of it in the late-90s, which seems to
be the only version available now?
Some films need trimming, but NOT this one, and the cuts throw-off the pacing
badly... Please, Mr. Weir: revisit your revisitation... The film just isn't
the same, just isn't "right" with these unnecessary edits... Why did it needed
slashing, so many years later?
Talk about an unsolved mystery!
Trivia: Executive Producer Patricia Lovell reported that the watches and clocks of the cast and crew behaved in an erratic manner: stopping at a certain hour, or being either too fast or too slow. In both the book and the film, the watches of the schoolgirls stopped at noon when they were on the rock and this was the cue for the strange and terrifying events that followed. (more)
And this is where the rock is located.
My Brilliant Career (1979)
Directed by
Gillian Armstrong
Genre:
Biography /
Drama /
Romance
Tagline: Two exciting new stars in a story for today... Judy Davis Sam
Neill
Reting: 7.8/10
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Cast overview, first billed only: |
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Sybylla Melvyn |
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Harry Beecham |
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Aunt Helen |
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Frank Hawdon |
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Mr. McSwatt |
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Grandma Bossier |
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Uncle Julius |
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Aunt Gussie |
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Father |
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Mother |
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Horace |
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Gertie |
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Stanley |
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Aurora |
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Barman |
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User Comments: Timeless Australian Classic!!!
User Comments: A quiet, rewarding story of a young woman's ambition
I just bought the Australian DVD release of My Brilliant
Career. All I can say it was worth every penny.
I don't need to go into the specifics of the plot. There are plenty of
comments listed on IMDb already. But the peformances, by then new and upcoming
actors Judy Davis and Sam Neill, are beautifully timeless!! It's everything
I'd hoped for and more. It just gets better with repeated viewings.
Made on a shoestring budget by new director Gillian Armstrong, the commentary
provided by her on the recently released Australian DVD in widescreen is a
real treat to listen to! You'll chuckle at the stories she tells on how cast
and crew achieved what you see on screen when little or no money was left in
the budget. And you'll realize how lucky and fortunate Armstrong and producer
Margaret Fink were at landing Judy Davis to play Sybylla.
My Brilliant Career is currently out-of-print in the USA. Don't know why, but
currently a DVD is out in Australia and the UK only. If only the Criterion
Collection would select this film for a DVD release in the USA.....
Judy Davis is Sybylla, a girl of the Australian outback
around 1909. As portrayed by Davis, in her breakthrough role, Sybylla is a
font of boundless energy wanting desperately to escape the backwardness of her
young life. Sam Neill, also in one of the significant early roles of his
career, is likewise charming as the young man who presents her with a tempting
alternative to her ambition to become a writer and escape the frontier life
forever.
This is not a great or epic story, certainly, but it is a quiet, rewarding
story of a young woman's quest for a better life. A worthy entry among the
films that marked the ascendancy of the "Australian Renaissance" in
film-making during the 1970s; director Armstrong would go on to make such
films as "Mrs. Soffel" and the 1994 "Little Women."
Gallipoli (1981)
Directed by
Peter Weir
Genre:
Drama /
War
Tagline: Peter Weir's film of...Gallipoli
(more)
Plot Outline: Two Australian sprinters face the brutal realities of war when they are sent to fight in the Gallipoli campaign in Turkey during World War I. (more) (view trailer)
Rating: 7.7/10
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Archy Hamilton |
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Jack |
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Les McCann |
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Zac (as Charles Yunupingu) |
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Stockman |
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Wallace Hamilton |
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Rose Hamilton |
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Frank Dunne |
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Billy |
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Barney |
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Snowy |
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Railway Foreman |
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Athletics Official 1 |
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Athletics Official 2 |
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Announcer |
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User Comments: A good war movie
Gallipoli is a very good war movie. Its strengths are some breathtaking cinematography and a terrific lead performance from Mel Gibson. The rest of the cast is up to the task as well. On the DVD, there is also a very informative interview with director Peter Weir. I learned that the filmmakers stayed very close to the historical account. Although I am a history buff, I must say that I knew very little about the Australian role in World War I. That alone made this movie worthwhile viewing for me. Recommended, 8/10.
Trivia: Producers advertised for 400 skilled male horse riders for the movie, yet only 200 turned up for shooting. The remaining 200 horse riders in the movie were women, dressed to look as men.
The Man from Snowy River (1982)
Directed by
George Miller
Genre: Drama / Family / Romance / Western
Tagline: The story of a boy suddenly alone in the
world. The men who challenge him. And the girl who helps him become a man.
Plot Summary: Jim Craig has lived his first 18 years in the mountains
of Australia on his father's farm. The death...
(more)
Rating: 7.0/10 (1,627 votes)
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Jim Craig |
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Henry Craig |
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Harrison/Spur |
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Mountain Man |
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Man in Street |
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Banjo Paterson |
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Jessica Harrison |
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Clancy |
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Kane |
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Mrs. Bailey |
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Curly |
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Moss |
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Frew |
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Short Man |
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Rosemary Hume |
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User Comments: Favorite movie of all time for me
I have watched this movie almost every time it has been shown on TV(have missed about 5 showings since the movie's release).I have trained & shown horses & judged horse shows for over 40 years. I felt a particular attachment to this movie because I also had a horse named Dan (his nickname).I loved to ride my Mustang(Buck) with the same attitude shown by the riders in the movie. Since I lost my best friend(Buck) after being together 32 years, this movie now helps me remember the thrill of riding like the wind. This was also my fathers' favorite movie. In fact, the night(march 14,2006) before he passed away, this was the last movie he watched. It is now bittersweet when I watch the movie because of this. The feelings shown by Jim when his father was killed are the same as mine. In Return to Snowy River, when Dan is shot out from under Jim, I feel again the pain of when I lost my own Dan & Buck. These movies have always made me want to visit Snowy River country and maybe someday my dream will come true. These movies tell wonderful stories about hard work,love for people & love for horses. Even my 23 year old daughter loves them-heck-she was raised watching them. They are like treasured parts of our lives.
Trivia: The Bible passage being read by candle light begins at Genesis 30:27. (KJV) The passage goes on to speak about cattle.
Phar Lap (1983)
Directed by
Simon Wincer
Genre: Biography / Drama / Family / Sport
Tagline: He was the long shot...heard 'round the
world.
(more)
Plot Outline: The true story of a New Zealand racehorse that becomes a
champion with the help of a local stableboy.
(more)
(view trailer)
Rating: 6.9/10
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Cast overview, first billed only: |
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Tommy Woodcock |
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'Cashy' Martin |
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William Nielsen |
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Newsboy |
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Newsboy |
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Newsboy |
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Harry Telford |
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Reporter |
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Vi Telford |
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Cappy Telford (Younger) |
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Cappy Telford (Older) |
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Dave Davis |
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Strapper |
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Strapper |
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Brazier Man |
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User Comments: so far.....best horse movie made....
I saw this movie, before I ever heard of this racehorse. The story was beautifully done, with only a hint of overdramatization. The story of the horse and it's career alone provided enough fodder for a great story. As a legend in Australia, Phar Lap transferred to film was done expertly and accurately. I especially enjoyed the performance of Tommy Woodcock's character, as well as The Ron Liebman performance.
Muriel's Wedding (1994)
Directed by
P.J. Hogan
Tagline: She's not just getting
married, she's getting even.
(more)
Plot Summary: Muriel finds life in Porpoise Spit, Australia
dull and spends her days alone in her room listening to Abba music and
dreaming of her wedding day...
(more)
Rating: 7.0/10
| Cast overview, first billed only: | ||
| Sophie Lee | .... | Tania Degano |
| Rosalind Hammond | .... | Cheryl |
| Toni Collette | .... | Muriel Heslop/Mariel Heslop-Van Arckle |
| Belinda Jarrett | .... | Janine |
| Pippa Grandison | .... | Nicole |
| Bill Hunter | .... | Bill Heslop |
| Jeanie Drynan | .... | Betty Heslop |
| Daniel Wyllie | .... | Perry Heslop |
| Gabby Millgate | .... | Joanie Heslop |
| Gennie Nevinson | .... | Deidre Chambers |
| Rachel Griffiths | .... | Rhonda Epinstalk |
| Matt Day | .... | Brice Nobes |
| Chris Haywood | .... | Coach Ken Blundell |
| Daniel Lapaine | .... | David Van Arckle |
| Susan Prior | .... | Girl at wedding |
User Comments: One of the most uplifting movies of our time.
I've not seen many Australian movies but I sure am glad I caught this one. It's one of the best movies I've ever seen. Muriel's character is very identifiable..we all many not specifically have a weight problem like she does, but we all go through the same insecurities, phases of demoralisation at some point of our lives. Majorly snubbed by her "friends" who call her an "embarrassment" because of her weight and because she listens to ABBA(God, those who think ABBA is passe should be sued no less, they're one of the greatest bands ever, if Beatles are still in, why not ABBA?) Anyway, Muriel's idea of getting back at those who snubbed her is to get a guy to marry her and that she manages quite successfully by roping in the sulking National swimmer who wants a wife merely as a tag. Muriel gets back at her "friends" but at the cost of nearly losing her real friendship with Rwanda(excellently portrayed by Rachel Griffiths). Her mother's suicide compounds to her sense of futility and she gracefully separates from her husband to return to Sydney and get her life back together, caring for Rwanda, now wheel-chair ridden and making a living without all those superficial aspirations she dreamt of and vain people whose companionship she so much wanted. This is a great romantic comedy which touches on many a realistic facet of life, the basic one being that illusionary Prince Charming that all girls have in mind and how he becomes an object of status(for Muriel's marriage is one of sheer convenience) than love. With a great music score(ABBA, What d'ya expect?) what appeals to the movie is its unconventional heroine, Muriel(well played by Toni Colette) This is one great movie not to be missed..
Trivia: The writer/director P.J. Hogan wanted to use the music of ABBA in the film. At first, permission for the music to be used was denied. When the director promised to fly to Europe to plead his case to the founders of the band, permission was granted, as long as the band received a percentage of the film profits. The film turned out to be a big international hit. The film helped inspire the very successful Broadway show "Mamma-Mia". (more)
The
Adventures of
Priscilla, Queen of the
Desert (1994)
Directed by
Stephan Elliott
Tagline: It's the Australian film that
blitzed overseas box offices. It caused a near riot at the Cannes Film
Festival. It won an Academy Award (Registeration Symbol). It's fun, daring,
over-the-top and unforgettable. It's a road movie with attitude and the
occasional frock.
(more)
Plot Outline: Two drag queens and a transsexual get a
cabaret gig in the middle of the desert.
(more)
Rating: 7.1/10
| Cast overview, first billed only: | ||
| Terence Stamp | .... | Ralph/Bernadette Bassenger |
| Hugo Weaving | .... | Anthony 'Tick' Belrose/Mitzi Del Bra |
| Guy Pearce | .... | Adam Whitely/Felicia Jollygoodfellow |
| Bill Hunter | .... | Bob |
| Rebel Russell | .... | Logowoman |
| John Casey | .... | Bartender |
| June Marie Bennett | .... | Shirley |
| Murray Davies | .... | Miner |
| Frank Cornelius | .... | Piano Player |
| Bob Boyce | .... | Petrol Station Attendant |
| Leighton Picken | .... | Young Adam |
| Maria Kmet | .... | Ma |
| Joseph Kmet | .... | Pa |
| Alan Dargin | .... | Aboriginal Man |
| Julia Cortez | .... | Cynthia |
User Comments: Toward the Acceptance of Diversity
This is a film that every straight person should see. The screenwriter created three drags queens from the cloth of everyday life — an older person (who happens to be transgendered), an average guy next door and a pretty muscle boy. You can say that this film is about "the great reach of little lives" (a comment originally applied by Donald Spoto to Tennesee Williams' "The Glass Menagerie.") We also see, in Anthony Bellerose's story, that sexuality is not a cut-and-dried affair. Underneath it all, we see that these people aren't much different from those we meet ion our daily lives. A screening of "Priscilla" would do more good than a hundred lectures to high school kids on the acceptance of diversity.
Trivia: Hugo Weaving's character was based on Sydney drag-queen Cindy Pastel. who like the character has a son and female companion. (more)
Shine (1996)
Directed by
Scott Hicks
Genre: Biography / Drama / Music / Romance
Tagline: A true story of the mystery of music and the miracle of
love
Plot Outline:
Pianist David Helfgott, driven by his father and teachers, has a breakdown.
Years later he returns to the piano, to popular if not critical acclaim.
Rating: 7.5/10
| Cast overview, first billed only: | ||
| Geoffrey Rush | .... | David as an Adult |
| Justin Braine | .... | Tony |
| Sonia Todd | .... | Sylvia |
| Chris Haywood | .... | Sam |
| Alex Rafalowicz | .... | David as a Child |
| Gordon Poole | .... | Eisteddfod Presenter |
| Armin Mueller-Stahl | .... | Peter |
| Nicholas Bell | .... | Ben Rosen |
| Danielle Cox | .... | Suzie as a child |
| Rebecca Gooden | .... | Margaret |
| Marta Kaczmarek | .... | Rachel |
| John Cousins | .... | Jim Minogue |
| Noah Taylor | .... | David as an Adolescent |
| Paul Linkson | .... | State Champion Announcer |
| Randall Berger | .... | Isaac Stern |
User Comments: This is a good film in every sense but will mean most to fathers with strong views :).
The story of a brilliant young pianist whose relationship with his father
drives him to some sort of mental illness. Watchable, absorbing, brilliantly
edited, deeply seriously moving, one of the rare films that pays attention to
incidental sound. Wonderful direction and acting. This is a seriously good
film.
Trivia: Based on the life of pianist David Helfgott. (more)
The Castle (1997)
Directed by
Rob Sitch
Genre:
Comedy
Tagline: Ordinary Family. Extraordinary Story.
(more)
Plot Summary: A Melbourne family is very happy living where
they do, near the Melbourne airport (according to Jane Kennedy...
(more)
Rating: 7.3/10
| Cast overview, first billed only: | ||
| Michael Caton | .... | Darryl Kerrigan |
| Anne Tenney | .... | Sal Kerrigan |
| Stephen Curry | .... | Dale Kerrigan |
| Anthony Simcoe | .... | Steve Kerrigan |
| Sophie Lee | .... | Tracy Kerrigan |
| Wayne Hope | .... | Wayne Kerrigan |
| Tiriel Mora | .... | Dennis Denuto |
| Eric Bana | .... | Con Petropoulous |
| Charles 'Bud' Tingwell | .... | Lawrence Hammill |
| Robyn Nevin | .... | Federal Court Judge |
| Costas Kilias | .... | Farouk |
| Bryan Dawe | .... | Ron Graham |
| Monty Maizels | .... | Jack |
| Lynda Gibson | .... | Evonne |
| John Benton | .... | Mr. Lyle |
User Comments: Good fun
(more)
Every once and while you find yourself watching a movie
you have heard nothing about. A film with no A-Listed actors, no director with
a treasure trove of awards and the sheer name of the films title at an office
water cooler would result in blank stares and crickets scratching their hind
legs in the background. Such was the case with the 1997 Australian gem, The
Castle.
Directed by Rob Sitch, who went on to help another underachieving treasure
with The Dish, the story is about an Australian family's struggle to keep
their home in lieu of being given a compulsory notice from the government that
the airport is expanding where their house presently stands. Although I try
not to be simplistic and sum up an entire plot in as little as one sentence,
really, that is all you need you know to enjoy this independent
comedy..........
Trivia: The shooting schedule was cut from from 20 to 11 days -- the number of days the filmmakers could afford to feed the cast and crew. (more)