by Reg Smithson
There is one more thing you can do over the next couple of nights. Rewatch some classic down under films that you may not have watched in a while. Whether you like drama, horror, comedy, or just adventure, you will find plenty of amazing pieces of cinema you can catch up on for a dose of nostalgia.
Here is a list of five of the best Australian classic movies that are guaranteed to be enjoyable to watch on a quiet night.
1. The Castle
When a working-class family living in Melbourne is ordered to vacate their home to allow infrastructural expansion, they do what any Australian family would do: fight it.
The Castle is a hilarious comedy-drama titled after the popular saying “A man’s home is his castle”. This iconic film is a tale of a community that loves their homes and their willingness to fight for them.
Many classic lines that first appeared in the 23-year old film have become firmly wedged into the Australian vernacular today. If you appreciate wholesome movies that have influenced the society in which you live, make a point of renting this movie.
2. The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
The adventure film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is a dramatic and comical story of two drag queens and a transgender woman across the Australian outback.
Since you cannot go on an outback adventure today even if you wanted to, watching this film would be a great way to reminisce over it. The blunt humour and the lead characters’ determination to succeed in the face of adversity is so Australian.
Some of the funniest moments in the film happen after the trio arrives at Alice Springs. Their month-long run at casinos in a large tour bus played a role in changing the average Aussie’s perception of casinos. The scenes may inspire you to learn more about casinos or even play Blackjack online.
3. Mad Max
Mad Max is probably the most famous Australian franchise in the world. The series of four films – Mad Max, Mad Max 2, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, and Mad Max: Fury Road is perfect for bingers.
Mad Max is a dystopian action thriller set in a future Australia after a societal collapse. It is a perfect film series to watch, especially after how 2020 has come so close to collapse.
The murders, revenge, and sagas of gang feuds in the films will make you appreciate life as it is even more.
4. Red Dog
The family comedy-drama film Red Dog is based on the true story of Koko, a red kelpie dog roaming the outback searching for his lost master.
You have probably heard of the story of the dog as it travelled through the Pilbara region outback. The story made the dog a legend in the town of Dampier in the 1970s. The town even has a statue erected to honour Koko.
In its adventure, Koko takes the viewer on an exploration of the Australian outback in an emotional but hilarious tale. The 2011 film and 2016 sequel highlight the landscape of the outback and the unique character of the people of Pilbara region.
5. Rabbit-Proof Fence
The 2002 drama film Rabbit-Proof Fence is a classic Australian film you can never get tired of watching over and over. It is a historic highlight on the sad child removal policy that was in place between 1905 and 1967 and how it created a “Stolen Generation.”
The film is an emotional but well-told story of a community in Jigalong. The film is based on the 1996 book Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington Garimara.
It highlights the best features of the outback and tells how three children survived in it by themselves for days.
Conclusion
There are many great classic Australian films you can watch during the lockdown, but these five are a good start. Which one will you be watching first?
