by Ben Crawford
The Australian film industry has produced some memorable classics over the years. At the top of the charts are brilliant productions including Picnic at Hanging Rock, Strictly Ballroom and Muriel’s Wedding. The most successful films are the ones we tend to remember, but it means that some classic releases can get overlooked. Among those fondly remembered movies are some forgotten Aussie films that are definitely worth revisiting.
Dogs in Space: 1986
In 1986, INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence was at the height of his fame, but despite his presence, Dogs in Space has faded into obscurity. It’s supposedly based on the true-life story of Sam Sejavka, an actor and writer who was also the frontman for forgotten punk band The Ears.
Dogs in Space is the name of Hutchence’s band in this movie, and many feel it is the most realistic tale of life on the road.
Dirty Deeds: 2002
Not to be confused with the 2005 American movie of the same name, Australia’s Dirty Deeds is set in the 1960s and portrays a mobster rule over the gambling scene in Sydney. It includes Aussie actors Bryan Brown, Sam Worthington and Toni Collette, but the film also features global stars John Goodman and Sam Neill.
Brown’s character Barry Ryan has the task of running his operation and keeping away from the attention of the law. Much has changed since the time in which Dirty Deeds was set, the rise of online casinos has helped to regulate the industry and take it away from the underground, now players can access the latest games in New Zealand and find the same offerings available at a land based casino.
While the landscape is much different, Dirty Deeds represents a fascinating look back at how casinos used to be.
The Man From Snowy River: 1982
It’s hard to fathom how a movie starring the great Kirk Douglas can become a lost classic. Based on the poem by Banjo Paterson, Douglas plays the dual role of the Harrison brothers in this tale of life in the Outback. Jim Craig and his father Henry look to trap a herd of wild Brumby horses for financial gain. A group of mountain men complicate the issue and Henry is killed. The Harrisons become involved in a plot that portrays the bleak existence in the Australian interior.
Until E.T. came along, a year later, The Man From Snowy River held the record for box office sales in Australia, so it must be worth revisiting.
The Club: 1980
It’s easier to see why some movies haven’t achieved global success. Australian Rules Football has yet to escape the confines of its home country, so a film based on the sport will struggle in the wider world. That’s a great shame because 1980’s The Club would appeal to all sports fans. You don’t require specialist knowledge of ‘footy’ to enjoy this hilarious story of how not to run a team. A tale of personal feuds and backstabbing gets in the way of performances on the field, in a witty production starring John Howard, Jack Thompson and Graham Kennedy.
Breaker Morant: 1980
The real-life Breaker Morant was an English Boer War officer executed for military atrocities. This isn’t, however, an especially gory movie, but it is a moving tale of a forgotten period in history.
The 1980 movie takes on the theme of courtroom drama. It features Edward Woodward in the leading role, while Bryan Brown appears once again, this time as a fellow accused officer. The tension conveyed in the courtroom makes this a compelling film, while reviews are largely positive. Historical inaccuracies and the uncomfortable nature of the true-life story may be among the reasons why Breaker Morant hasn’t endured.
The Fringe Dwellers: 1986
No single film captures the everyday battles of Aboriginal people better than The Fringe Dwellers. The main character, Trilby, and her family, literally live on the fringes of Australian society.
The use of Aboriginal actors enhances the realism of this gritty and moving release from acclaimed Aussie director Bruce Beresford. While the subject matter in The Fringe Dwellers may be seen by the wider world as idiosyncratically Australian, the struggle for acceptance among indigenous people is a global issue, so it’s surprising that this movie hasn’t received greater recognition. It’s strange to understand why some of the movies on this list have drifted out of the public consciousness. Many received critical acclaim at the time, even if the box office figures weren’t always as expected.
Others featured high-profile actors and entertainers, both from Australia and beyond.
It may not be easy to access all of these films via DVD or the current list of streaming services. The quality is so high in each case, however, that you should persevere in your search to find the best forgotten Australian movies of all time.
