Great Australian films

A pre-Hollywood (1977) movie by Peter Weir, "The Last Wave", with Richard Chamberlain in the leading role.

The Last Wave - Peter Weir directed. Beautiful film from the late 70s.

How above The Last Wave -- anyone mention that?

The Devil's Playground (1976), Fred Schepisi's brilliant first feature film.

Did you really have to ask?

The Devil’s Playground (1976)

The Proposition

An Angel at My Table, a biopic about writer Janet Frame by Jane Campion is a heartbreaking movie, beautifully shot with amazing imagery.

Starstruck (1982)

Amazing, sweet film that catches the spirit of the 80s.

Rabbit Proof Fence about the forced removal of half caste Aboriginal children who were removed from their families and then trying to escape back home.

Babe

Cane Toads: An Unnatural History is a short documentary that was revolutionary at the time it was made for its impact. It follows the out of control species that was introduced to Australia to manage a sugar cane pest.

Lantana. Saw it on the plane en route to Melbourne the first time we went to Australia.

Great movie.

R8, is that film Australian or from NZed?

The fabulous Strictly Ballroom.

Strictly Ballroom

R15 / R16 I didn't realize Strictly Ballroom was Australian! I love that movie!

The Dressmaker: Kate Winslet, Liam Hemsworth, Hugo Weaving, and Judi Davis.

One of my favorites.

A Cry in the Dark (1988) The true story of Michael and Lindy Chamberlain, accused of killing their baby. Meryl Streep is brilliant. And Sam Neil just as good. Yes, it's the "a dingo ate my baby" movie but it's so damn good. Enthralling stuff.

R14 OP cites Sweetie as one of their films which is also by Jane Campion, who is from New Zealand, but studied film in Australia and married an Australian. Janet is from New Zealand as well, but part of the funding for the movie came from Australia Broadcasting Corporation as it was originally intended for TV. Jane Campion is an important part of Australian film so I would say it qualifies.

(R19) Fascinating interview for A Cry in the Dark.

R20 agreed—I know Jane is from NZ, but I've always considered Sweetie an Australian film since it was filmed there, features an Australian cast, and was co-written by an Australian.

Thank you, R20.

Wake in Fright (1971)

Dead Calm - Sam Neill and Nicole Kidman.

Heavenly Creatures - If you're allowing New Zealand into the mix; directed by Peter Jackson with Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey. Debut film for Melanie Lynskey and only a couple previously for Kate Winslet.

R13, I love Lantana. I saw it multiple times in the theater. One of the really good films unseen by most people.

[quote][R15] / [R16] I didn't realize Strictly Ballroom was Australian! I love that movie!

No offense but are you headless?

Gallipoli

Babe

Picnic at Hanging Rock is one of my favorites of all time. Anyone have recommendations for similar movies?

R27 I take no offense. I didn't know Babe was Australian either.

Summerfield (1977) Atmospheric little thriller set on an island off the coast of Victoria that was written and produced by the writer and the producer of Hanging Rock. The full movie is on YouTube.

Animal Kingdom

Speaking of thrillers . . .

The Babadook

Moulin Rouge!

"The Sum of Us" with Russell Crowe as a gay son and Jack Thompson as his exceedingly accepting father are both terrific. I surprised it is mentioned more often as a positive and rather heartwarming gay film, if I recall.

I saw "Starstruck" years ago -- I don't remember too many details of it, but I remember enjoying it and leaving the theater with a big smile.

I'm surprised it ISN'T mentioned more

(R32) Smokin' Hot Nick Tate! Mmmmmm.

I was going to suggest Smash Palace and The Quiet Earth but they are from New Zealand.

I didn't see Walkabout listed.

"Tim"

Here's another one by Peter Weir that's horror adjacent.

The only thing I liked about Time is that a young Mel Gibson wore really tight shorts.

“Tim, luv - throw a hose over Miss Horton’s dusty bushes!”

I loved "Careful He Might Hear You", a beautifully shot period piece from 1983.

The Man From Snowy River.

Don's Party, a good cult classic from 1976:

"Don's Party" also has some nice male frontal nudity, too. Plus it's a pretty funny comedy.

Proof (1991) with Hugo Weaving as a blind photographer (!) in a rather twisted triangle with his caretaker (Genevieve Picot) and a restaurant worker (Russell Crowe).

Children of the Revolution - Despite its starring Judy Davis and receiving great reviews, I resisted watching this because I was sure a movie including a Stalinist who trysts with Stalin would be preachy. It is fucking hilarious. The cast also includes Sam Neill, Geoffrey Rush, F. Murray Abraham and Rachel Griffiths.

The Fringe Dwellers (1986)

The Pirate Movie.

Austalia's Mame.

Another about boarding school life, not as great as "The Devil's Playground", but still terrific:

Flirting (1991)

A medley.

Breaker Morant - I mentioned this recently on another thread, but I'll repeat myself. This is a Bruce Beresford (Tender Mercies, Driving Miss Daisy) movie set during the Boer War ear the end of the conflict. Three Australian lieutenants are on trial for murder and executing prisoners. Did they do it? If so, what would drive such apparently decent men to war crimes? Are they receiving a fair trial? Great story, great acting, interesting time period, and a well told story.

If you can find it, Bruce Beresford’s The Getting of Wisdom (1977) is fantastic. Some obvious choices not yet mentioned are Bad Boy Bubby (1993), Idiot Box (1996), Metal Skin (1994), Death in Brunswick (1990), Dogs in Space (1986), Body Melt (1993), Patrick (1978), The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith (1978)... a friend’s 2017 film Strange Colours debuted at Venice and got some pretty positive reviews

I also love this 2 part TV documentary from the late 80s interviewing homeless and incarcerated youth

Black Water

"Love Serenade" (1996): worth tracking down, very funny and touching.

Another vote for Animal Kingdom, Breaker Morant, Rabbit Proof Fence, Lantana, Priscilla, Don's Party. And . . .

Lonely Hearts

Malcolm

Mental

The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith

Samson & Delilah

The Tracker

Little Fish

Romper Stomper

High Tide

A Town Like Alice (TV series)

Emerald City (1988). A Melbourne vs Sydney comedy that features Nicole Kidman in her very first role as a glamourpuss. The big star, however, is the cinematography that captures gorgeous late 80s Sydney.

[quote] I was going to suggest Smash Palace and The Quiet Earth but they are from New Zealand.

Like there's a difference?

Here’s a few from my to-watch list - has anyone seen these?

Teesh and Trude (2002)

Road Games (1981)

Blackfellas (1993)

Hoodwink (1981)

27A (1974)

Daisy and Simon (1989)

Stork (1971)

Eliza Fraser (1976)

Lady Stay Dead (1981)

Summer City (1977)

Plugg (1975)

R62 I have seen Road Games—forgot to mention that one. It's an anomaly because it's set in the outback and was directed by an Australian director (Richard Franklin, who later did "Psycho II"), but its two lead stars—Stacy Keach and Jamie Lee Curtis—are Americans playing Americans. It's a pretty good little thriller, though, and has some tense moments.

R32, thanks for posting the link to "Summerfield", never heard of this movie, a good time-killer!

Pretty much anything directed by Paul Cox.

No "Muruel's Wedding"?!!!

R66 Ok Toni - Muriel's Wedding (great film that still holds up), Bad Boy Bubby, The Set, The Clinic, Snowtown, Bliss, Monkey Grip, Lonely Hearts, Man of Flowers, Don's Party, Picnic at Hanging Rock, The Last Wave, The Last Days of Chez Nous, Sweetie, My First Wife, Goodbye Paradise, A Woman's Tale, Summerfield, Malcolm, We of the Never Never, Hoodwink, Romper Stomper, Head On, The Nightingale, Islands, The Night the Prowler, In Search of Anna, Against the Grain, Stanley, Fast Talking, Grendel Grendel Grendel, With Prejudice, Home on the Range, Allies, Cane Toads, Lantana, Shame, The 12th Night, Turkey Shoot, Dance Me To My Song.....

Head On is one of my all time favorite gay movies.

The Everlasting Secret Family about a gay sex cult and starring the gorgeous Mark Lee

I love the Aussie porn studio ‘Seduced Straight Guys’, straight/inexperienced tradie types going gay-for-pay. Have a search on pornhub, DL won’t let me link to it

LOL R70. Agreed. They have showcased some hot, hung Aussie men on that site. This one is one of my go-to porn videos--the top, Nathan, is hot to death.

Sorry to cheat, but a very good Australian miniseries is "The Slap," based on the Christos Tsiolkas novel. Far better than the (inevitabe) US remake. It stars DL fave Alex Dimitriades, Jonathan LaPaglia, and Essie Davis from "The Babadook."

R72 I preferred the Aussie version as well, though I thought the American one was okay. I thought it was interesting that Melissa George was in both of them. I'v always quite liked her as an actress.

Thanx R62 for reminding me about Stork. Lovely film with Bruce Spence who later appeared in the first Road Warrior (Mad Max for the Yanks) film.

I thought the American remake was pointless, R73, similarly to the "Dragon Tattoo" one. Robin Wright trying to speak English with a Swedish accent! How labo(u)red and absurd.

And yes, I always enjoy seeing Melissa George in anything.

My nomination for the worst Toni Collette film: Japanese Story (2003), virtually unknown and unseen. With good reason.

Mallboy (2000)

The world of 14 year old Shaun revolves around his broken family home, and a group of truant friends who inhabit Melbourne's northern suburb shopping centres.

Full VHS rip on YouTube including trailers etc.

Dingo (1991)

Years after meeting a jazzman (Miles Davis) in Australia, an outback trumpeter (Colin Friels) goes to Paris and meets him again.

On SBSOnDemand

[quote]Pretty much anything directed by Paul Cox.

A Woman's Tale is especially haunting and poignant. Sheila Florance (Lizzie from Prisoner) died 9 days after she won the AFI's Best Actress award in Australia.

Heavenly Creatures, already mentioned, is one of mine also. Good work by the young actresses in their film debuts.

Also fascinating to me that the Juliet Hulme (Winslet’s character) eventually became novelist Anne Perry (served a 5 year prison term and moved on, and on with her life).

Any good Australian movie that isn’t a horror/thriller?

Kenny the plumber.

Hotel de Love

R79 She accepted the award from her hospital bed if I recall. Incredible film and performance - one of the all time greatest not only in Australian cinema but world cinema.

R81 Stacks of them - just go through the thread.

The Man from Snowy River is a 1982 Australian Western and drama film based on the Banjo Paterson poem "The Man from Snowy River"

I think I remember seeing this movie.

R11 I adored Babe, fortunately I was close to Chinatown and able to get some roast pig and duck after the film was over, it made me hungry.

r80 Heavenly Creatures is a Kiwi film. I know posters joke about it - but it is a separate country.

Sorry R88. I saw it mentioned upthread and assumed it was, in fact, Australian. I do know they are indeed separate countries.

[quote]Heavenly Creatures is a Kiwi film. I know posters joke about it - but it is a separate country.

For the moment.

I can't believe no one mentioned "The Year My Voice Broke" yet, one of the most touching coming-of-age movies ever made. The film R52 mentioned is a (much inferior) sequel to it.

By the way, has anyone around here seen "Fortress" with Rachel Ward? Is it worth checking out?

Some more great ones: Somersault, Lore, Dead Europe, The Odd Angry Shot, The Devils Playground, Evil Angels, Eye of the Storm, The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith, Mouth to Mouth, Winter of our Dreams, Going Down, Summer of Secrets, Inside Looking Out, Innocence, The Nights Belong to the Novelist, The Tale of Ruby Rose, Manganinnie, The Babadock, Predestination, Strikebound, Pure Shit, Shirley Thompson vs The Aliens, Number 96 - The Movie, Not Quite Hollywood, 52 Tuesdays, 33 Letters, The Wonderful World of Dogs, Backlash, Malpractice, Deadline, Jilted, Fat Pizza, Fat Pizza vs Housos......

I was a huge Prisoner Cell Block H fan and when I saw that Sheila Florance was in A Woman’s Tale I went to see it in a nearly empty DC Art House cinema. It’s a movie I would love to see again but could never find anywhere.

Ona totally different note as a teen I would search the TV Guide for late night HBO showings of Odd Angry Shot to see the gratuitous full frontal outdoor shower scene. Brian Brown was so hot back then.

R93 A Woman's Tale is availible to watch via pay per view on Vimeo.

Not great but certainly forgotten: The Coca Cola Kid... All I remember is the impressive bulge in Eric Roberts tight pants in some scenes. And would it be correct to say that he came to Australia at that time because his Hollywood career had tanked?

Jisoe (2005)

A year in the life of troubled Australian graffiti artist Justin Hughes. Full doco on YouTube

[quote]By the way, has anyone around here seen "Fortress" with Rachel Ward? Is it worth checking out?

Yes, Fortress is quite chilling and exciting to watch and Rachel Ward was wonderful in the lead. It's a bit like Dead Calm, but with schoolchildren in the desert. Fortress was made for TV in the US, but shown in cinemas in Australia. I think the two versions are exactly the same with levels of violence, etc.

I second The Winter of our Dreams. The movie is good, not great, but has a heartbreaking performance by the young Judy Davis. Available on YouTube.

Beloved Sheila Florance and the character she played in A Woman's Tale shared many sad parallels. Once upon a time she was a beauty, the deep lines etched over her face from a lifetime of tragedy. Sheila (the same as the woman in the film) had a baby that died when it was blown out of her arms during an air raid on Bristol in WW2.

Her second beloved daughter, Susan at age 18 fell from a nine-story bank building from where she worked in Melbourne. A serial killer later claimed that he had murdered the daughter, though more likely it was from a suicide.

Nickel Queen (1971)

An outback pub owner finds herself an overnight millionaire

R68 - When I finally saw Head On, I was really surprised at how sexually frank it was.

Good in the 1970s. Spotty after that creative period.

I’d love to see Sample People starring Kylie Minogue, it looks awful. The Monkey’s Mask from the same year looks similarly appealing - lesbian private detective murder mystery. Has anyone Nirvana Street Murder with a young Ben Mendelsohn?

What about The Castle (1997). Eric Bana is third from right.

Full movie:

R101, that was the first time I had seen an erection in a non-porn film.

Was Don's Party any good?

R104 I wonder why Sophie Lee's career never really took off? She was a model, a popular TV presenter, and acted in a couple of soaps, but never seemed to have a lot of direction early on. Some people bagged her as not being a very capable actress. Then she had a couple of breakout roles that she actually kicked some ass in - as Tania in Muriel's Wedding, and as the daughter in The Castle. She's 51 today and has 2 kids. Unfortunately, she also seems to have retired from acting.

R107 She also played the "flute" in a 90s hippie band called The Freaked out Flower Children.

I liked Don's Party. It is 's based on a play (like later Beresford movies, Crimes of the Heart and Driving Miss Daisy), but he does a great job making it work on screen. Lots of parallels to Jean Renoir's great The Rules of the Game.

Rogue

R107 She's married... She's BEAU-DA-FULLLLLL!!!!

Matt Baume, excellent gay culture commentator on YouTube, launched a new 20 plus minute video about Priscilla Queen of the Desert today and live streamed giving more comments and answering questions. I think he said he would do another stream with it during the weekend as well.

He’s very through and insightful and it’s worth a watch. There’s a nice reveal at the end about one of the homophobic towns they visit at the start of the movie. I had also watched a documentary on YouTube about it about a week ago that was done on one of the anniversaries. It too was excellent, but I learned new and different things from this as well. Enjoy.

I second the votes for Children of the Revolution and Little Fish.

Shame (1988) staring none other than Mrs. Hugh Jackman, Deborra Lee-Furness. It's about a female biker who passed through small town and helps a frightened young girl press rape charges while the whole town turns a blind eye. Pretty intense.

There was a horrible Lifetime remake in 1993 starring Amanda Donohoe as the biker and Fairuza Balk as the young rape victim.