You won't waste your time watching any of those films, in my opinion.
See also my 'top ten'.
The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert (Stephan Elliott, 1994) Terence Stamp, Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce
One of the ABBA films: amazing that there are two (as well as the doco about the actual band); this film has flair (and flares).
Angel Baby (Michael Rymer, 1995) John Lynch, Jacqueline McKenzie, Colin Friels, Deborra-Lee Furness; schizophrenics don't take their medication (when she gets pregnant), go 'mad'
In the struggle between people with mental illness and the system, the system wins.
Australian Rules (Paul Goldman, 2002) wr. Phillip Gwynne (novel Deadly, Unna?), Paul Goldman, dp Mandy Walker; Nathan Phillips, Lisa Flanagan, Simon Westaway, Luke Carroll, Kevin Harrington, Martin Vaughan, Liz Black
Another take on non/Indigenous cultural collision, this offers (tho superficially) the possibility of conciliation.
Bad Boy Bubby (Rolf de Heer, 1994) Nicholas Hope, Claire Bonito, Ralph Cotterill, Carmel Johnson, Syd Brisbane
This is a European 'idea' film - similar to Herzog's Jeder für sich und Gott gegen alle; most people will find the first fifteen minutes tough going.
Beneath Clouds (Ivan Sen, 2002) Damian Pitt, Dannielle Hall
My personal favourite: this shows what life is like for many rural (but not remote) First Australians - and also vignettes of their relations with (some) non-Aboriginal people. It's beautifully photographed - the director started as a stills photographer.
The Big Steal (Nadia Tass, 1990) wr. David Parker with Max Dunn, dp David Parker; Ben Mendelsohn, Claudia Karvan, Steve Bisley, Marshall Napier, Damon Herriman, Angelo d'Angelo, Tim Robertson; romantic comedy, revenge fantasy
Another charming film from the Tass-Parker partnership, about a young man and his Jaguar, and his father's Cedric (that's a car).
Blackfellas (James Ricketson, 1993) Day of the Dog, novel by Archie Weller; John Moore, David Ngoombujarra, Jaylene Riley, Ernie Dingo, Julie Hudspeth, John Hargreaves
Mostly distinguished by the fine performance of David Ngoombujarra.
The Boys (Rowan Woods, 1997) David Wenham, Toni Collette, John Polson, Lynette Curran, Anthony Hayes, Jeanette Cronin, Anna Lise, Pete Smith
A very dysfunctional family, and a heinous crime: tough going.
Breaker Morant (Bruce Beresford, 1980) dp Don McAlpine; Edward Woodward, Jack Thompson, John Waters, Bryan Brown, Allan Cassell, Terry Donovan, Charles Tingwell, John Waters
The War against the Boers (and the British) - fine performances, sustained seriousness.
The Cars that Ate Paris (Peter Weir, 1974) Terry Camilleri, John Meillon, Chris Haywood, Max Gillies, Deryck Barnes, Edward Howell, Melissa Jaffer, Charles Metcalfe, Kevin Miles, Tim Robertson, Bruce Spence
The finest of Australian gothic.
The Castle (Rob Sitch, 1997) Michael Caton, Anne Tenney, Stephen Curry, Anthony Simcoe, Sophie Lee, Wayne Hope, Tiriel Mora, Eric Bana, Charles Tingwell
Possibly the most popular Australian film ever (with Australians), it's actually cutting satire, but somehow appeals to nationalism.
Chopper (Andrew Dominik, 2000) Eric Bana, Vince Colosimo, Simon Lyndon, David Field
Eric Bana is scary; apparently the real Chopper Read approved - which is even scarier.
Cosi (Mark Joffe, 1996) wr. Louis Nowra (also play); Barry Otto, Ben Mendelsohn, Toni Collette, Pamela Rabe, Jacki Weaver, Paul Chubb, Colin Hay, David Wenham, Colin Friels, Aden Young, Rachel Griffiths, Kerry Fletcher
Based on Nowra's own experience working in an institution, this provides an opportunity for great performances from a large number of Australian actors: I think it's Wenham's best work.
Crocodile Dundee (Peter Faiman, 1986) Paul Hogan, Linda Kozlowski, John Meillon, David Gulpilil
I hardly need to tell you about the most successful Australian film ever.
Dark City (Alex Proyas, 1998) wr. Alex Proyas
Very good SF.
Dead Calm (Phillip Noyce, 1989) wr. Terry Hayes, novel Charles Williams, The Deep; Nicole Kidman, Sam Neill, Billy Zane
Excellent suspenser.
Dead Heart (Nick Parsons, 1996) wr. Nick Parsons; Bryan Brown, Ernie Dingo, Angie Milliken, Gnarnayarrahe Waitaire, Aaron Pedersen; outback cop in clash between tribal and white man's law
A rather complicated and even exploitative story, this is nevertheless the best fictional depiction of (black and white) life in a remote community.
Death in Brunswick (John Ruane, 1991) Sam Neill, Zoe Carides, John Clarke, Yvonne Lawley, Nico Lathouris
A witty little gem, now mostly forgotten.
The Devil's Playground (Fred Schepisi, 1976) Simon Burke, Arthur Dignam, Tom Kenneally; based on Schepisi's own experience in a Catholic school
Catholic culture oppressing both the priests and the boys in a seminary.
Dirty Deeds (David Caesar, 2002) Bryan Brown, John Goodman, Toni Collette, Sam Neill, Sam Worthington, Felix Williamson, Kestie Morassi
The Mafia - and John Goodman! - in Australia; and Bryan Brown does not get acted off the screen: all good fun.
The Dish (Rob Sitch, 2000) comedy; Sam Neill, Kevin Harrington, Tom Long
The second film from the team that made The Castle: not quite as successful, but still very good, and in the same ways.
Don's Party (Bruce Beresford, 1976) dp Don McAlpine; Ray Barrett, Claire Binney, Pat Bishop, Jeanie Drynan, John Hargreaves, Harold Hopkins, Graham Kennedy, Graeme Blundell, Veronica Lang, Candy Raymond
From a David Williamson play, this offers a comedic take on bourgeois life with boozing, sexual shenanigans, and party politics - in the context of an election party meant to celebrate a left-wing win.
Flirting (John Duigan, 1991) Noah Taylor, Thandie Newton, Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts
One of Duigan's two films on sexual awakening in the Australian countryside, it has no fewer than four actors who went on to Hollywood.
Gallipoli (Peter Weir, 1981) dp Russell Boyd; Mel Gibson, Mark Lee, Bill Hunter, Robert Grubb, Bill Kerr, David Argue, Harold Hopkins
The ANZAC film we had to have: it's much better than it might have been; unforgettable ending.
The Goddess Of 1967 (Clara Law, 2000) dp Dion Beebe; Rose Byrne
By far the best of the Japanese-meets-Australian films, this one was shot by Oscar-winning Dion Beebe. (The goddess is a Citroën DS.)
Head On (Ana Kokkinos, 1998) Loaded, novel by Christos Tsiolkas; Alex Dimitriades, Paul Capsis
I've only seen this once, but it made an impression: a second-generation Greek Australian is both bi-cultural and bi-sexual.
Heavenly Creatures (Peter Jackson, 1995) Melanie Lynskey, Kate Winslet; NZ
True story about a girl who killed her parents: anything made by Peter Jackson is at least interesting.
High Tide (Gillian Armstrong, 1987) prod. Sandra Levy, wr. Laura Jones; Judy Davis, Claudia Karvan, Jan Adele, Colin Friels; woman accidentally rediscovers her daughter, who has been brought up by her paternal grandmother
I'm interested in family melodramas, and this is one of the better ones: how could it not be good, with both Judy Davis and Colin Friels?
Holy Smoke (Jane Campion, 1999) Kate Winslet, Harvey Keitel, Tim Robertson
I'm glad we have a film about the tendency to rush off to India for instant enlightenment. This one also sends up Australian families (cf. eg. The Castle). But the guts of it is Winslet v. Keitel in an encounter only Campion could have imagined (cf. In the Cut). (So it's three films in one, like Jindabyne, qv.)
Howling 3: The Marsupials (Philippe Mora, 1987) Barry Otto, Imogen Annesley (Jerboa), Dasha Blahova, Max Fairchild, Ralph Cotterill, Leigh Biolos, Burnum Burnum
Impossible to pigeon-hole - because it does not really belong in the Howling (werewolf) series - this profoundly investigates environmental and Aboriginal issues: a most unusual film.
Hunt Angels (Alec Morgan, 2006) docudrama; Ben Mendelsohn; little-known episode in Oz cinematic history: true and little known story of Rupert Kathner and Alma Brooks, tenacious pioneers of the Australian film industry
I'm glad I was able to catch this: obviously I'm a sucker for a film about Oz Cin - but this is much better than its 20c. budget might suggest.
Idiot Box (David Caesar, 1996) Ben Mendelsohn, Jeremy Sims, John Polson, Susie Porter; Kev and Mick rob a bank cos it seems like a good idea at the time
A sordid little tale; but a beautifully crafted film: it's what David Caesar does.
In a Savage Land (Bill Bennett, 1999) wr. & prod. Bill Bennett, Jennifer Bennett; Maya Stange, Martin Harrison, Rufus Sewell, John Howard, Max Cullen
One of the more ambitious Australian films, but Bennett does not quite pull it off, partly because of the sentimental ending.
Interview, The (Craig Monahan, 1998) Hugo Weaving, Tony Martin, Aaron Jeffrey, Paul Sonkkila
One room, two men: excellent police procedural on a very small scale.
Japanese Story (Sue Brooks, 2003) wr. Alison Tilson, prod. Sue Maslin, ed. Jill Bilcock; Toni Collette, Gotaro Tsunashima; set and shot in Perth and the Pilbara; well-connected Japanese executive comes to Western Australian to inspect iron-ore mining and is driven into the bush by geologist
Good try, especially from Collette: Japanese viewers see Hiro as too stereotypical.
Jedda (Charles Chauvel, 1955) Ngarla Kunoth, Robert Tudawali, Betty Suttor, Paul Reynall; stolen generations story, with young Aboriginal woman raised by white family and torn between two cultures
The Noble man who is too Savage to live; and the little girl torn between cultures: an important film, and not just because it was the first to be shot in colour.
Jindabyne (Ray Lawrence, 2006) wr. Beatrix Christian; Gabriel Byrne, Laura Linney, Deborra-Lee Furness, Chris Haywood, John Howard, Max Cullen, Leah Purcell
It's possible to see this as (merely) a bourgeois relationship morality drama, but the (black-white) cultural clash (tho a bit separate - as is the thriller aspect) is worth attending to.
Kenny (Clayton Jacobson, 2006) wr. Clayton Jacobson, Shane Jacobson; Shane Jacobson, Eve von Bibra, Ronald Jacobson, Chris Davis, Ian Dryden, Jesse Jacobson; Kenny delivers porta-loos
I thought this faux doco pretty ordinary; but it was the most popular Australian film in its year, among Aussies.
Kiss or Kill (Bill Bennett, 1997) Matt Day, Frances O'Connor, Chris Haywood, Barry Otto, Andrew S. Gilbert, Barry Langrishe, Max Cullen
As I said about Idiot Box, it's a sordid little tale; but a beautifully crafted film. If it's not in my top ten, it'll have to be in the top twelve: Bill Bennett will prolly never make a better film, tho David Caesar might.
Lantana (Ray Lawrence, 2001) wr. Andrew Bovell; Anthony LaPaglia, Geoffrey Rush, Barbara Hershey, Kerry Armstrong, Rachael Blake, Vince Colosimo, Russell Dykstra, Daniella Farinacci, Peter Phelps, Leah Purcell, Glenn Robbins
One of the best films ever written in Australia, this one allows an insight into half a dozen urban relationships of different kinds.
The Last Days of Chez Nous (Gillian Armstrong, 1992) wr. Helen Garner; Lisa Harrow, Bruno Ganz, Kerry Fox, Miranda Otto, Kiri Paramore, Bill Hunter
Two sisters, but only one Frenchman - not to mention a father and a daughter - and my favourite 'tourism' scene.
The Last Wave (Peter Weir, 1977) Richard Chamberlain, David Gulpilil; thriller
I haven't seen this for thirty years, but it's still memorable.
Lilian's Story (Jerzy Domaradzki, 1996) novel Kate Grenville 1984, based on Bea Miles; Ruth Cracknell, Barry Otto, Toni Collette
Powerful film with the two best actresses of their generations playing the same character at different ages. Warning: incest.
Little Fish (Rowan Woods, 2005) Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett, Sam Neill, Martin Henderson, Dustin Nguyen, Joel Tobeck, Noni Hazlehurst, Lisa McCune, Susie Porter; woman tries to escape her past as a heroin addict and set up a business in Sydney's west
Cabramatta, heroin, Little Saigon, Blanchett.
Lonely Hearts (Paul Cox, 1982) wr. John Clarke, Paul Cox, dp Yuri Sokol, music Norman Kaye; Wendy Hughes, Norman Kaye
An honest little film: quasi-documentary.
Long Weekend (Colin Eggleston, 1979) wr. Everett de Roche, dp Vincent Monton; John Hargreaves, Briony Behets; thriller
This was remade in 2008 with the same writer, tho I haven't seen the later version; the earlier is a truly remarkable film: creepy, surprising - and it has John Hargreaves: what's to not like?
Look Both Ways (Sarah Watt, 2005) dp Ray Argall; Justine Clarke, William McInnes, Anthony Hayes, Andrew S. Gilbert; mix of animation and live action, as six people dealing with unexpected events find their lives intersecting
Realist drama, despite the arty inserts.
Looking for Alibrandi (Kate Woods, 2000) Pia Miranda is looking for father Anthony LaPaglia
The most popular of films about immigrants, this one has a light touch.
Love in Limbo (David Elfick, 1993) Craig Adams, Aden Young, Maya Stange, Samantha Murray, Russell Crowe, Rhondda Findleton; three boys drive to Kalgoorlie WA to try to lose their virginity
Charming film with lovely 1950s production design.
Love Serenade (Shirley Barrett, 1996) wr. Shirley Barrett, dp Mandy Walker; Miranda Otto, Rebecca Frith, George Shevtsov, John Alansu; two sisters compete for the attentions of DJ new to small town, Sunray
A personal favourite: I like the quirky portrait of the country town, and the surrealist ending.
Mad Max ([Dr] George Miller, 1979) Mel Gibson, Steve Bisley, Vince Gil, Hugh Keays-Byrne
George Miller's first film is still very popular: great stunts.
Mad Max 2 ([Dr] George Miller, 1981) aka The Road Warrior, dp Dean Semler; Mel Gibson, Emil Minty, Kjell Nilsson, Max Phipps, Mike Preston, Bruce Spence, Vernon Wells, Virginia Hey, William Zappa, Arkie Whitelely
Some people think the second one is better.
Malcolm (Nadia Tass, 1986) dp David Parker; Colin Friels, John Hargreaves, Lindy Davies, Chris Haywood, Charles Tingwell
David Parker had a lot of fun making the gadgets for this one, a portrait of a 'special person' engagingly created by the dependable Colin Friels - and the late great John Hargreaves is in it.
The Man from Hong Kong (Brian Trenchard-Smith, 1975) wr. Brian Trenchard-Smith, dp Russell Boyd; Deryck Barnes, Rebecca Gilling, Bill Hunter, Hugh Keays-Byrne, George Lazenby, Grant Page, Ros Spiers, Frank Thring, Jimmy Wang Yu, Roger Ward, Phillip Avalon
The first important actioner; Grant Page does stunts.
The Man from Snowy River (George Miller, 1982) Kirk Douglas, Tom Burlinson, Sigrid Thornton
Another film still popular with Aussies, it's a western romance.
Man of Flowers (Paul Cox, 1983) wr. Paul Cox, Bob Ellis, dp Yuri Sokol; Norman Kaye, Alyson Best, Chris Haywood, Sarah Walker, Julia Blake, Bob Ellis, Barry Dickins, Patrick Cook, Victoria Eagger, Werner Herzog
This is the best of the Australian 'art' films, in all the meanings of the word.
The Man Who Sued God (Mark Joffe, 2002) wr. Don Watson, dp Peter James; Billy Connolly, Judy Davis, Colin Friels, Bille Brown, Wendy Hughes, Emily Browning
A comedy that brings together Connolly and Davis must be watching.
Metal Skin (Geoffrey Wright, 1995) Aden Young, Tara Morice, Ben Mendelsohn, Nadine Garner, Chantal Contouri
Geoffrey Wright is the powerful film-maker who directed Romper Stomper and more recently Macbeth. This is his take on revhead culture, but it's not merely realistic: it has a legendary dimension.
Money Movers (Bruce Beresford, 1979) dp Don McAlpine, operator John Seale; Terence Donovan, Tony Bonner, Ed Devereaux, Charles Tingwell, Candy Raymond, Jeanie Drynan, Bryan Brown, Alan Cassell, Gary Files, Ray Marshall, Hu Pryce, Frank Wilson, Lucky Grills, Tony Allison, Brian Anderson, Kevin Brenner, Terry Camilleri, Bill Charlton, Kathy Dior, Graham Gow, James Elliot, Robert Essex, Max Fairchild, John Hargreaves
It's easy to forget the less important films of the 1970s: this violent crime actioner still stands up to examination.
Monkey Grip (Ken Cameron, 1982) novel by Helen Garner; Noni Hazlehurst, Colin Friels, Alice Garner, Tim Burns, Michael Caton, Harold Hopkins, Candy Raymond
Written from life by Helen Garner, this is an investigation of drug addiction (inter alia) with more depth than a mere melodrama.
Monkey's Mask (Samantha Lang, 2000) novel Dorothy Porter; Kelly McGillis, Susie Porter, Abbie Cornish, Marton Csokas, Deborah Mailman; lesbian private detective dives head first into murder, manipulation and the consuming power of sex
Uniquely female.
Moulin Rouge (Baz Luhrmann, 2001) ed. Jill Bilcock; Ewan McGregor, Nicole Kidman, David Wenham, John Leguizamo
Spectacular! Baz will never make a better film, nor have a better editor: Jill Bilcock.
Mr Reliable (Nadia Tass, 1996) Colin Friels, Jacqueline McKenzie, Susie Porter, Paul Sonkkila, Frank Gallacher; Wally Mellish gets away with it because he can't read and write
Another quirky part for and fine performance from Colin Friels.
Mullet (David Caesar, 2001) wr. David Caesar; Ben Mendelsohn, Susie Porter, Andrew S. Gilbert, Belinda McClory, Tony Barry, Kris McQuade
Young man returns to country town, but, more to the point, to his mildly dysfunctional but basically loving family.
Muriel's Wedding (P. J. Hogan, 1994) Toni Collette, Bill Hunter, Rachel Griffiths, Sophie Lee
A (melodramatic) comedy, so not particularly realistic; but deservedly memorable: 'You're terrible, Muriel.'
My First Wife (Paul Cox, 1984) wr. Bob Ellis; John Hargreaves, Wendy Hughes
It's only about a guy cracking up over the loss of his wife, but bringing together the brilliance of Ellis and Hargreaves and Cox's conviction makes it impossible to ignore.
Ned Kelly (Gregor Jordan, 2003) Heath Ledger, Orlando Bloom, Joel Edgerton, Anthony Hayes, Naomi Watts
Best of the many Kelly films. Not saying much.
Newsfront (Phillip Noyce, 1978) wr. Phillip Noyce, orig. script Bob Ellis, dp Vincent Monton; Bill Hunter, Wendy Hughes, Gerard Kennedy, Chris Haywood, John Ewart, Bryan Brown
I'm trying to think of a better film from the 1970s, but can't. This has religion breaking up families, an ugly American, and it's a dramatised doco of the newsreel wars of the 1940-50s. Plus my friend Sharon as an extra in the water polo scene - right next to Gerard Kennedy.
The Nostradamus Kid (Bob Ellis, 1993) wr. Bob Ellis, dp Geoff Burton; Noah Taylor, Miranda Otto, Arthur Dignam, Peter Gwynne, Jack Campbell, Erick Mitsak, Loene Carmen, Alice Garner, Lucy Bell, Jeanette Cronin, Hec McMillan, Colin Friels, Bob Maza
I'll be honest: this is here because I admire Bob Ellis.
The Nugget (Bill Bennett, 2002) Eric Bana, Stephen Curry, Dave O'Neil, Belinda Emmett, Peter Moon, Vince Colosimo, Max Cullen, Jane Hall; comedy, set in Mudgee NSW
One of the 'The' films from around the same time: The Castle, The Dish, this is Bennett's shot at comedy, and it's not bad.
Once Were Warriors (Lee Tamahori, 1994) Temuera Morrison (Jake the Muss), Rena Owen; NZ
Temuera Morrison does some real acting in this: apparently it cost him. Kitchen-sink.
Oscar and Lucinda (Gillian Armstrong, 1997) novel Peter Carey, wr. Laura Jones; Ralph Fiennes, Cate Blanchett, Ciaran Hinds, Tom Wilkinson, Richard Roxburgh
The stars here include the writer(s) and the director.
Oyster Farmer (Anna Reeves, 2004) wr. Anna Reeves, dp Alun Bollinger; Alex O'Lachlan, Kerry Armstrong, David Field, Diana Glenn, Jack Thompson, David Kelly, Jim Norton, Claudia Harrison, Alan Cinis; romantic comedy set in Australian-style frontier country (shot on NSW Central Coast, around Brooklyn) with eighth-generation oyster farmers
A quirky and charming little film; fine cinematography from Kiwi Bollinger: shot on the Hawkesbury.
Patrick (Richard Franklin, 1978) wr. Everett de Roche, dp Don McAlpine; Susan Penhaligon, Rod Mullinar, Robert Helpmann, Bruce Barry, Julia Blake
A genuine thriller from a Hitchcock-trained director; the eponymous character never speaks - or closes his eyes.
Pear ta ma 'on maf (Vilsoni Hereniko, 2004) aka The Land Has Eyes; Sapeta Taito, Rena Owen, John Fatiaki
One of a kind: possibly the only feature from Fiji, and certainly the only one from Rotuma (a remote island which is technically part of Fiji).
Perfect Strangers (Gaylene Preston, 2003) wr. Gaylene Preston, dp Alun Bollinger; Sam Neill, Rachael Blake, Joel Tobeck; prod. Huntaway Films (Sam Neill, John Clarke, Jay Cassells); NZ
I've seen this several times: it's fascinating.
The Piano (Jane Campion, 1993) prod. Jan Chapman; Holly Hunter, Anna Paquin, Sam Neill, Harvey Keitel, Kerry Walker, Genevieve Lemon, Tungia Baker
Deserved its Oscars: how often can you say that?
Picnic at Hanging Rock (Peter Weir, 1975) novel by Joan Lindsay, dp Russell Boyd; Kirsty Child, John Fegan, Vivean Gray, Dominic Guard, John Jarratt, Anne Lambert, Tony Llewellyn-Jones, Ingrid Mason, Garry McDonald, Helen Morse, Rachel Roberts, Martin Vaughan, Jacki Weaver; thriller
Possibly the classic Aussie film?
The Picture Show Man (John Power, 1977) wr. Joan Long from Penn's Pictures on Tour by Lyle Penn, dp Geoff Burton; Tony Barry, Patrick Cargill, Sally Conabee, Jeanie Drynan, John Ewart, Harold Hopkins, Garry McDonald, John Meillon, Judy Morris, Grant Page, Rod Taylor
You have to love this, even if only because it's about the movie business - and it has John Meillon as the lead.
Pitch Black (David N. Twohy, 2000) Vin Diesel, Radha Mitchell, Cole Hauser, Keith David, Lewis Fitz-Gerald, John Moore, Simon Burke
Predictable sci-fi horror; but up there with Dark City as the best such Aussie film.
Proof (Jocelyn Moorhouse, 1991) Hugo Weaving, Genevieve Picot, Russell Crowe, Heather Mitchell
This is a gem.
The Proposition (John Hillcoat, 2005) wr. Nick Cave, music Nick Cave; Guy Pearce, Ray Winstone, Danny Huston, Emily Watson, John Hurt, David Wenham, Tom Budge, David Gulpilil, Leah Purcell, Tom E. Lewis; epic period Western; three brothers charged with brutal crime 1880s
I personally don't like this - or anything else to do with Nick Cave - as I think it's a bunch of dark cliches: but it has a much better cast than it deserves, and gets drive from that.
Puberty Blues (Bruce Beresford, 1981) book by Kathy Lette, Gabrielle Carey, dp Don McAlpine; Nell Schofield, Jad Kapelja, Jay Hackett, Ned Lander, Tony Hughes, Sandy Paul, Geoff Rhoe; girls want to surf too
This is not an enjoyable film, particularly because of the depiction of sexual relations between young Australians; but it's an important of the period.
Rabbit-Proof Fence (Phillip Noyce, 2001) wr. Christine Olsen, based on book by Doris Pilkington Garimara, dp Christopher Doyle; Everlyn Sampi, Kenneth Branagh, David Gulpilil, Tianna Sainsbury, Ningali Lawford, Laura Monaghan, Deborah Mailman; Molly Kelly and Daisy Kadibil appear briefly at the end; based on true story about Aboriginal children escaping custody in the 1930s
This is the Stolen Generations film we had to have: it's an emotional experience.
Radiance (Rachel Perkins, 1999) Deborah Mailman, Rachael Maza, Trisha Morton-Thomas; story of reunion between three Aboriginal sisters
Another Louis Nowra play very successfully transferred to the screen.
Rain (Christine Jeffs, 2003) Sarah Peirse, Marton Csokas, Alicia Fulford-Wierzbicki, Alistair Browning, Aaron Murphy; NZ
A special little coming-of-age film.
Razorback (Russell Mulcahy, 1984) wr. Everett de Roche, dp Dean Semler; Gregory Harrison, Arkie Whiteley, Bill Kerr, Chris Haywood, David Argue, Judy Morris
Can be seen as an OTT melodramatic gothic romp, but it's set apart by a number of things, and especially the photography of Dean Semler.
Return Home (Ray Argall, 1990) wr. Ray Argall; Dennis Coard, Frankie J. Holden, Ben Mendelsohn, Micki Camilleri, Rachel Rains; two brothers reunited
Just a good little suburban social-realistic movie.
River Queen (Vincent Ward, 2005) NZ epic; Samantha Morton, Kiefer Sutherland, Cliff Curtis, Temuera Morrison, Stephen Rea
Roadgames (Richard Franklin, 1981) wr. Everett DeRoche, from short story by Richard Franklin, Everett De Roche, dp Vincent Monton; Stacey Keach, Jamie Lee Curtis, Marion Edward, Grant Page, Thaddeus Smith, Alan Hopgood
Hitchcock-like thriller, but with human interest in the relationship between the characters played by American actors Curtis and Keach - and his dingo.
Romper Stomper (Geoffrey Wright, 1992) Russell Crowe, Daniel Pollock, Jacqueline McKenzie
Powerful performances from all three leads.
Romulus My Father (Richard Roxburgh, 2007) Raimond Gaita's book
Eric Bana is good, but so are all the actors - in this film directed by a great actor.
Shine (Scott Hicks, 1996) wr. Jan Sardi; Geoffrey Rush (AA), Noah Taylor, John Gielgud, Googie Withers, Lynn Redgrave; young David Helfgott is traumatised by martinet father
Oscar(s) deserved.
Siam Sunset (John Polson, 1999) Linus Roache, Danielle Cormack, Ian Bliss, Roy Billing
Probably forgotten by most now, it's worth it for the first three minutes, and also for Roy Billing's bus-driver.
Silver City (Sophia Turkiewicz, 1984) Gosia Dobrowolska, Ivar Kants, Steve Bisley
Tho a bit sentimental, it was an excellent introduction to the experience of immigration - at least for me.
Somersault (Cate Shortland, 2004) Abbie Cornish, Sam Worthington, Lynette Curran, Erik Thompson; discovery of the difference between sex and love in Jindabyne, an Australian winter ski resort town
Won more awards than it deserved, but is a genuinely good film.
Spotswood (Mark Joffe, 1992) Anthony Hopkins, Ben Mendelsohn, Alwyn Kurts, Bruno Lawrence, John Walton, Rebecca Rigg, Toni Collette, Russell Crowe; mocassin factory shaken by arrival of time-and-motion expert
Charming little film, the only one to bring Hopkins and Crowe together.
Star Struck (Gillian Armstrong, 1982) dp Russell Boyd; Jo Kennedy, Ross O'Donovan, Margo Lee, Pat Evison, Geoffrey Rush, Max Cullen, Melissa Jaffer
One of the very few non-Luhrmann musicals made in Oz, it tries very hard.
Stone (Sandy Harbutt, 1974) wr. Sandy Harbutt; Ken Shorter, Sandy Harbutt, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Vincent Gil; Stone is an undercover cop who infiltrates a bikie gang when several of its members are murdered
A powerful film that I imagine bikies would like: it has real bikies in it. Tho Sandy Harbutt played a main part, as well as writing and directing it, it was the last film on which he ever worked.
Storm Boy (Henri Safran, 1976) from novel by Colin Thiele, dp Geoff Burton; Greg Rowe, David Gulpilil, Peter Cummins, Judy Dick, Grant Page; white boy befriends pelican and outcast Aborigine, Fingerbone Bill, banished by his Kunai people
Gulpilil's most attractive character.
Strictly Ballroom (Baz Luhrmann, 1992) dp Steve Mason; Paul Mercurio, Tara Morice, Bill Hunter, Pat Thomson, Gia Carides, Peter Whitford, Barry Otto, Antonio Vargas
Baz's first red curtain film: the start of something.
The Sugar Factory (Robert Carter, 1998) wr. Robert Carter; Matt Day, Rhondda Findleton, Michaela Noonan, John Waters, Tony Hayes; mentally disturbed teenager tormented by guilt over the death of a child
Matt Day's second-best film: a serious investigation of mental illness.
The Sum of Us (Geoff Burton & Kevin Dowling, 1994) Jack Thompson, Russell Crowe, John Polson, Deborah Kennedy
This has some melodramatic moments, and Kennedy is awful, but the three men do their best with it - and the best of these three is worth watching.
Sunday Too Far Away (Ken Hannam, 1975) prod. Gil Brealey, Matt Carroll, South Australian Film Corporation, wr. John Dingwall, dp Geoff Burton, music Patrick Flynn; Jack Thompson, Max Cullen, Robert Bruning, Jerry Thomas, Peter Cummins, John Ewart, Sean Scully, Reg Lye, Graham Smith, Ken Shorter, Lisa Peers
Such a realistic portrayal of a shearer's life in the 1950s that it might almost be considered to be a documentary, this film was messed about with by the distributors, so a couple of strands in the narrative look odd.
Teesh and Trude (Melanie Rodriga, 2002) Susie Porter, Linda Cropper, Peter Phelps
I admit I'm prejudiced, but I have seen this several times and I think it's ultimately charming, despite the tough beginning.
Ten Canoes (Rolf de Heer, Peter Djigirr, 2006) wr. Rolf de Heer; performed entirely in the Ganalbingu language of David Gulpilil's Yolngu people and "one of the few Australian feature films to rely on English subtitles"
Much more than a pseudo-anthropological film, it has a great voice-over by David Gulpilil.
To Have and To Hold (John Hillcoat, 1997) Rachel Griffiths, Tcheky Karyo, David Field
Hillcoat makes tough films; this one is Cave-free; Griffiths at her best. Only feature set in New Guinea?
The Tracker (Rolf de Heer, 2002) wr. Rolf de Heer, dp Ian Jones; David Gulpilil, Gary Sweet, Damon Gameau, Grant Page
A touch too arty; but perhaps necessitated by the confronting subject-matter; Gulpilil superb.
Traps (Pauline Chan, 1994) novel Kate Greville; Saskia Reeves, Robert Reynolds, Sami Frey, Jacqueline McKenzie, Kiet Lam; filmed on location in Vietnam; English couple come to French Indo-China, 1950, to do photo-journalism story on rubber plantation, and become involved in political developments
I hope this becomes available again; I thought it was excellent.
Two Hands (Gregor Jordan, 1999) Heath Ledger, Bryan Brown, Rose Byrne, David Field, Susie Porter, Tom Long, Steven Vidler
Bloody good little Aussie film.
Vacant Possession (Margot Nash, 1995) Pamela Rabe, John Stanton, Olivia Patten as Millie provides the commentary on the actual relationship of white and black
This undeservedly forgotten film comments on European presence in Australia since 1788 in a unique way.
Waiting (Jackie McKimmie, 1991) Noni Hazlehurst (AFI Best Actress), Deborra-Lee Furness, Frank Whitten, Helen Jones, Denis Moore, Fiona Press, Ray Barrett
Little ripper of a film, mostly about women: Hazlehurst really was pregnant, and you'll see (if you can ever get hold of a copy).
Wake in Fright (Ted Kotcheff, 1971) aka Outback (US); wr. Evan Jones, novel Kenneth Cook, dp Brian West, ed. Anthony Buckley; Gary Bond, Donald Pleasance, Chips Rafferty, Sylvia Kay, Jack Thompson, John Meillon
So dark in style that it goes beyond realism, this film, directed by a Canadian, presents a bleak view of life in the more remote parts of Australia (whites only).
Walkabout (Nicholas Roeg, 1971) wr. Edward Bond, novel James Vance Marshall, dp Nicolas Roeg; Jenny Agutter, Lucien John [Roeg], David Gulpilil, John Meillon; UK production about two white Australian children stranded in desert and helped to safety by young Aborigine
Another view of Australia from a foreigner - before we had any views ourselves - this remains admirably poetic - despite some Roegish exploitation.
Walking on Water (Tony Ayres, 2002) Vince Colosimo, Maria Theodorakis, Nathaniel Dean, Judy Farr, Nicholas Bishop, David Bonney, Daniel Roberts, Anna Lise Phillips
Tony Ayres's first film has a gay subject: it's not claiming much to suggest that it's the best 'gay' film so far, as there are not very many.
Welcome to Woop Woop (Stephan Elliott, 1997) Rod Taylor, Johnathon Schaech, Susie Porter, Dee Smart, Richard Moir, Maggie Kirkpatrick, Barry Humphries, Mark Wilson, Paul Mercurio
This pretty-much took Elliott's career down the toilet, but I love it: a unique vision of Australia.
The Well (Samantha Lang, 1997) novel Elizabeth Jolley, wr. Laura Jones; Pamela Rabe, Miranda Otto; drama, thriller; Hester is obsessed with Katherine
Not sure I'd watch this again, but it was impressive; excellent writer.
The Wog Boy (Aleksi Vellis, 2000) Nick Giannopoulos, Vince Colosimo
Related to the TV show Wogs Out of Work, this is great comedy: you gotta love the Valiant.
Wolf Creek (Greg McLean, 2005) John Jarratt, Cassandra Magrath, Nathan Phillips, Kestie Morassi; three backpackers unwisely accept help from a seemingly friendly local in the Australian outback
Loosely based on the real-life Ivan Milat and Peter Falconio stories, this comes to very scary life with the astonishing performance of John Jarratt.
The Year My Voice Broke (John Duigan, 1987) Noah Taylor, Loene Carmen, Ben Mendelsohn, Graeme Blundell, Lynette Curran
Duigan's other coming-of-age-in-country-town story: see also Flirting.
The Year of Living Dangerously (Peter Weir, 1982) wr. David Williamson, from novel by Christopher Koch; Mel Gibson, Sigourney Weaver, Peter Collingwood, Noel Ferrier, Linda Hunt, Bill Kerr; Jakarta 1960s
Unusual in two ways: we have few political films; and few set in S.E. Asia. Also the only feature with Gibson and Weaver. And Linda Hunt plays a bloke.
Yolngu Boy (Stephen Johnson, 2001) Sean Mununggur, John Sebastian Pilakui, Nathan Daniels
Covers some of the same ground as Samson and Delilah, but does much more also, and does it much better.
New: 12 May, 2007 | Now: 26 February, 2010 | garrygillard[at]gmail.com