Aussie film recommendations?

[eti]

Okay so this is off-topic, but I couldn't think of a better place to ask, since a lot of Aussies hang out here, and esp the owner!

I am looking for Aussie culture/bush related films to watch. Recently I have seen:

"Sunday too far away" (Sheep shearing competition, a well made film)
"Rabbit proof fence"
"Walkabout"

I love Aussie culture, am a big fan of Jack Absolom's outback/bush survival videos, and if anyone can recommend any decent Aussie adventure films from say 60s-90s, etc, I would be most grateful.

Thanks.

[aargee]

Dad and Dave: On Our Selection.
The original Mad Max movie.
They're a Weird Mob

That's a bit of an Australian historical cross section.

[JohnnyMalaria]

The Plumber

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079727/

A young couple, living in a campus apartment complex, are repeatedly harassed by an eccentric plumber, who subjects them to a series of bizarre mind games while making unnecessary repairs to their bathroom.

One of my favourite films.

[eti]

Dad and Dave: On Our Selection.
The original Mad Max movie.
They're a Weird Mob

That's a bit of an Australian historical cross section.

Cheers mate!

[richnormand]

Having worked at a similar installation as a summer student: "The Dish"

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0205873/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

[eti]

Having worked at a similar installation as a summer student: "The Dish"

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0205873/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Ah yes, watched it last week, FAB film! thanks!

[Circlotron]

Young Einstein.

Albert Einstein, the son of an apple farmer in Tasmania in the early 1900s, is interested in physics rather than the family business. His father shows him his grandfather's "laboratory", a remote shed where he made beer. His father tells him that they have tried for years to introduce bubbles to beer, saying that the person who can will change the world forever.

After heavy drinking, Einstein postulates the theory of mass–energy equivalence (E=MC2) as a formula to split beer atoms to create bubbles in beer. After spending all night preparing, he splits a beer atom (with hammer and chisel), which causes the shed to explode. After Einstein excitedly shows his parents the formula and a glass of beer with bubbles in it, his father encourages him to head to the Australian mainland and patent the formula. On a train to Sydney, he meets Marie Curie, a Polish-French scientist studying at the University of Sydney, and Preston Preston, the pompous manager of the Sydney Patent Office. Marie is fascinated by Einstein, while Preston is annoyed by him.

In Sydney, Einstein lodges in a whorehouse and finds that the patent office will not accept scientific theories. Einstein leaves and meets Marie at the university, only to upset her professor by erasing his work and writing his own theory. Though he is thrown out, Marie becomes more taken with him. Preston attempts to woo Marie with his upper-class lifestyle. During a performance at a social club, she mentions her interest in Einstein's theory. Jealous, Preston has his clerk call Einstein in to take his formula for safe keeping. Preston turns the formula over to the Bavarian Brothers, a pair of brewmasters who intend to use the formula to get rich.

As Einstein invents rock and roll and the electric violin, he begins a romance with Marie. While at a beach, he demonstrates surfing for her. As they leave, Marie wishes the moment could last forever. Inspired, Einstein comes up with the theory of relativity on the spot, amazing Marie. As they return to the hotel, the clerk tells him that Preston is creating a keg using his formula. When Einstein protests, the Bavarian Brothers claim that Einstein is insane and have him committed. Einstein's electric violin is destroyed, and he is kept isolated. Marie confronts Preston, who says Einstein would have done nothing with his work and he is trying to help everyone.

Marie infiltrates the institution as Einstein's father, confronts Einstein in the shower room, and reveals Preston's plot. When Einstein expresses helplessness, Marie leaves disappointed. Einstein rebuilds his violin into an electric guitar, uses it to short out the security system, and escapes. Upon finding she has returned to France, Einstein sails a small steamboat to France and wins her back by promising to stop Preston. They use the Curie family hot air balloon and head to the Nobel ceremony in Paris that night, attended by many inventors and scientific luminaries.

Charles Darwin announces Preston is the winner of this year's Nobel Prize for his beer bubble discovery. Einstein interrupts Preston's speech and questions if Preston knows what happens when an atom is split. When Darwin realizes that Preston has unknowingly built an atomic bomb, he orders Preston to stop. Preston scoffs at the warning and starts the keg, which starts shaking and building up pressure. Einstein attaches his guitar to the keg to drain it despite Marie's warning that this will kill him. Einstein plays a guitar riff, which causes the keg to lose power. Preston attempts to kill Einstein, but Marie knocks him unconscious. Einstein radiates pure energy, which causes a massive feedback, then an explosion.

As the smoke clears, Einstein unharmed. He and Marie kiss as the assembled crowd cheers. He returns to Tasmania with the keg and the Nobel Prize. He tells his family that he will give his formula to the world instead of keeping it for personal gain. Marie questions what will happen if governments use that formula to create atomic weapons. Einstein naively expresses his trust in the governments of the world, announces he has learned a new theory, and then plays a rock and roll song.

[wilfred]

The Plumber

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079727/

A young couple, living in a campus apartment complex, are repeatedly harassed by an eccentric plumber, who subjects them to a series of bizarre mind games while making unnecessary repairs to their bathroom.

One of my favourite films.

Haven't seen that one. But the definitive Aussie film about plumbers would have to be "Kenny" staring Shane Jacobson. A charming film made on a fairly low budget. Not that many Aussie films manage large budgets.

You can gauge an Aussie films success at home by the quotes that enter the vernacular. Kenny has "it's got a smell that will outlast religon". Not quite up there with "That's not a knife..." but still useful.

[BradC]

The Castle
Crackerjack
Death in Brunswick (even though most of the stars are Kiwi)
The adventures of Barry McKenzie

[Circlotron]

The Adventures of Barry McKenzie...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Barry_McKenzie

Barry 'Bazza' McKenzie (Barry Crocker) travels to England with his aunt Edna Everage (Barry Humphries) to advance his cultural education. Bazza is a young Aussie fond of beer, Bondi and beautiful 'sheilas'. He settles in Earls Court, where his old friend Curly (Paul Bertram) has a flat. He gets drunk, is ripped off, insulted by pretentious Englishmen and exploited by record producers, religious charlatans and a BBC television producer (Peter Cook). He reluctantly leaves England under the orders of his aunt, after exposing himself on television. His final words on the plane home are, "I was just starting to like the Poms!"

[BradC]

The Adventures of Barry McKenzie...

Snap

[SpecialK]

Muriel's Wedding

[Circlotron]

I am looking for Aussie culture/bush related films to watch.

Wake In Fright.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wake_in_Fright
Rough as guts and not my kind of film at all, but might be what you are looking for.

[wilfred]

In no particular order these are some Aussie films I thought were pretty good.

Picnic at Hanging Rock
Gettin' Square  (David Wenham, Faramir from Lord of the Rings, has the funniest lines as a junkie)
Death in Brunswick.
Strictly Ballroom.
Animal Kingdom. (Jackie Weaver was nominated for an Oscar as best actress in a supporting role for this.
Gallipoli. Mel Gibson aka Mad Max stars.
Proof. Early Russell Crowe and Hugo Weaving (Matrix agent Smith, Elrond from Lord of the Rings)
The Dressmaker. Kate Winslet Liam Hemsworth
The Year My Voice Broke
Chopper (Eric "the Hulk" Bana is brilliant)
The Castle (couldn't leave this out, made by the same crew as "The Dish")
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Breaker Morant

And if you want gory schlok-horror then some of Brian Trenchard-Smith's smiths early stuff made when the government was throwing money (as tax credits) at the film industry trying to ride the back of Picnic at Hanging Rocks success. Turkey Shoot for example. Don't get me wrong it's crap.  or BMX Bandits starring Nicole Kidman in her first film role. Not gory but good for a laugh.

[eti]

Never laughed so much as I’m laughing now, watching “They're a weird mob”!

[Alex Eisenhut]

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091464/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

[notsob]

Adding to the list

Malcolm
Rikki and Pete

both by Nadia Tass

[Ed.Kloonk]

Wolf Creek.

A truly lovely film for any would be tourist bound for our shores.

[EEVblog]

The Castle
The Dish
Kenny
Crackerjack
The Man from Snowy River
The Man Who Sued God
Chopper
And I'll throw in a curveball - Housos vs. Authority

[TERRA Operative]

Bad Boy Bubbie

Technically The Matrix as it was filmed in Sydney.

[Alex Eisenhut]

Oh hi guys, what's going on in this thread?

[RoGeorge]

Bran Nue Dae (2009)

[station240]

Storm Boy (1976)

[helius]

Wake In Fright.
Rough as guts and not my kind of film at all, but might be what you are looking for.

I loved that one.
Other "rough" ones:
Romper Stomper
Hounds of Love (this had some legal controversy if I recall correctly)

[Alex Eisenhut]

Oh yeah, Jenny Agutter was in this

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walkabout_(film)

[exor]

Swinging Safari (2018)

[eti]

The Castle
The Dish
Kenny
Crackerjack
The Man from Snowy River
The Man Who Sued God
Chopper
And I'll throw in a curveball - Housos vs. Authority

Thanks Dave

[Skashkash]

Watched it many years ago.
Ground Zero.

[sleemanj]

Mary and Max - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0978762/

[thermistor-guy]

Upgrade: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upgrade_(film)

It's Australian cyberpunk from 2018. Recommended.

[johnboxall]

Bad Boy Bubby

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bad_Boy_Bubby

[wasyoungonce]

There can be only one......

                               "The Adventures of Barry McKenzie"



From the man who pretended to vomit into an Airline sick (during flight) back pulled out a spoon to eat it (just yoghurt).......The whole movie borders on the humour like "Mr creosote skit from Monty Python"


 

[JohnnyMalaria]

The Adventures of Barry McKenzie...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Barry_McKenzie

Barry 'Bazza' McKenzie (Barry Crocker) travels to England with his aunt Edna Everage (Barry Humphries) to advance his cultural education. Bazza is a young Aussie fond of beer, Bondi and beautiful 'sheilas'. He settles in Earls Court, where his old friend Curly (Paul Bertram) has a flat. He gets drunk, is ripped off, insulted by pretentious Englishmen and exploited by record producers, religious charlatans and a BBC television producer (Peter Cook). He reluctantly leaves England under the orders of his aunt, after exposing himself on television. His final words on the plane home are, "I was just starting to like the Poms!"

Love it - just caught it on Amazon for $0.99. As someone who grew up in the UK in the 70s and now lives overseas, I can honestly say this is more truthful than you'd ever imagine.

What's more, Barry Humphries not in drag has an uncanny resemblance with...see pic.

[Ed.Kloonk]

There can be only one......

Highlander!




..oh, wait.

[joseph nicholas]

The Aussie film industry if there is such a thing never produced any great films vis a vi USA, Japan, Sweden.  It did give us a lot of good actors and directors.

[Ed.Kloonk]

The Aussie film industry if there is such a thing never produced any great films vis a vi USA, Japan, Sweden.  It did give us a lot of good actors and directors.

[checks to see what movies Sweden has produced..]

Ooh la la.

[RoGeorge]

The Aussie film industry if there is such a thing never produced any great films vis a vi USA, Japan, Sweden.  It did give us a lot of good actors and directors.

[checks to see what movies Sweden has produced..]

Ooh la la.

Don't byte that bate.   

(A four four letter word sentence)

[SpecialK]

My son and I were supposed visit Aus last summer between semesters at uni.  Unfortunately coronavirus has delayed those plans.

I did create a thread here asking for some suggestions of suggestions of what Australian radio stations I might want to stream.  That thread was removed as not being electronics relevant or whatever.  I typically listen to Jonesie and Amanda on WSFM when tinkering on the bench in the evenings.

Canada has a strange Canadian content law that favors Canadian artists for airplay.  I'm a bit tired of that, and thought I could open my ears to Australian acts.  Does Aus have the same kind of regulation?

I do find myself enjoying the youtube channels of eevblog and David Tipton.  I have caught a couple TV programs like Upright and Squinters.  I enjoy the differences in slang.

I think Australian culture is very compatible with Canadian culture even if the setting looks very different.

[Brumby]

I think Australian culture is very compatible with Canadian culture even if the setting looks very different.

Indeed.

The main difference seems to be that the values you find in Canada are similar to those in Australia ... about 30 years ago.


Many years ago I made a friend in a stranger lined up to pay for petrol.  When I heard him speak, I addressed him and said "Your accent..." - his face grimaced - "... isn't American."  His eyes lit up as did a smile and he announced "I'm Canadian!".

[Brumby]

I typically listen to Jonesie and Amanda on WSFM when tinkering on the bench in the evenings.

Pretty good middle-of-the-road listening for those of us who remember the 80's (IMHO).  They're the default station for radios within my reach.

[EEVblog]

Crikey! How could I forget Young Einstein!

[wilfred]

I think Australian culture is very compatible with Canadian culture even if the setting looks very different.

I was glued to Corner Gas when it was broadcast here. Comedy gold. Cardinal was another favourite. Not much Canadian stuff gets broadcast here, and the reverse is probably true also.

[wasyoungonce]

Its often said Aussies are 20yrs behind Canada and 30yrs behind America....but 10 yrs ahead of NZ

Not that I lived in Canada....have visited USA and lived NZ

The Barry Mckenzie stuff was pretty crass but very much like it was in the 70s...a nation trying to grow up caught between eras.   It was Australia having a poke at itself.

FWIW....

[Gyro]

Adding to the list

Malcolm
Rikki and Pete

both by Nadia Tass

Yes, definitely 'Malcolm'. Funny on so many levels, and has offbeat technology thrown in for good measure.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_(film)

[VK3DRB]

Having worked at a similar installation as a summer student: "The Dish"

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0205873/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Seen it 11 times. After 10 times I swore never to see it again. Then I attended an Eastern and Mountain Districts Amateur Radio Club movie night and the movie was... The Dish.

[VK3DRB]

The Castle is a must see. Iconic feel good movie. There are Australian sayings in there only us locals in Victoria would properly understand, as it is based here. I am not sure if foreigners would understand it fully; but a great low budget film all the same.
 
A excellent series now on Netflix is Stateless. I started watching it last night at around 8pm and got hooked. Finished the whole series by 2am. Based on a true story of imprisonment of asylum seekers here by an incompetent federal government, although it is worth checking out the facts by Googling "Cornelia Rau" after seeing the movie. Vivian Solon was also a victim of federal government ineptitude but she is not mentioned in the movie... that would be another movie all on its own.

[MikeK]

This yank has a recommendation that nobody has mentioned yet:

"Last Cab to Darwin"

[TerraHertz]

I'm surprised these weren't mentioned yet.

Red Dog         2011 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Dog_(film)
Lucky Miles    2007 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucky_Miles
Bliss              1985   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(1985_film)

Oh, and not a movie but not to be missed - radio series "The 12th Man"  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Twelfth_Man

[thermistor-guy]

Stone: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_(1974_film): about outlaw bikers.

Haven't seen it in ages, so I don't know if it still holds up. Might be interesting, though, as a cinematic snapshot of that era.

[sae]

The Last of the Knucklemen
Dir-Tim Burstall.... Gerard Kennedy, Steve Bisley, Michael Preston, Michael Caton....

https://youtu.be/Sk82gih-jMQ

[alpher]

[eti]

Ewwww no, have some standards.

[mindcrime]

Upgrade: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upgrade_(film)

It's Australian cyberpunk from 2018. Recommended.

Just finished watching Upgrade. It was pretty good. I would second the recommendation. 

[SmallCog]

The Sapphires

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1673697/

[wasyoungonce]

Yes I enjoyed it....sure it was....well a funny odd 16 pin dip ...ain't no super computer...but hey...the plot was good.  Romper Stomper...a classic...excellent.

https://tldrmoviereviews.com/2018/06/12/movie-review-upgrade/

[Sal Ammoniac]

The Castle is a must see. Iconic feel good movie. There are Australian sayings in there only us locals in Victoria would properly understand, as it is based here. I am not sure if foreigners would understand it fully; but a great low budget film all the same.

We watched that movie last week. Had to turn on closed captions to understand most of the dialog.

[VK3DRB]

The Castle is a must see. Iconic feel good movie. There are Australian sayings in there only us locals in Victoria would properly understand, as it is based here. I am not sure if foreigners would understand it fully; but a great low budget film all the same.

We watched that movie last week. Had to turn on closed captions to understand most of the dialog.

Hope you enjoyed it.

Regarding understanding our accent, I was living in Austin TX, and had an Aussie colleague visiting to watch Mad Max in our home. The Americans dubbed it in an American accent. Sacrilege! We could not watch it. Somewhat later the Grand Final (Aussie football equivalent to the Superbowl but arguably more entertaining) was being played on cable. Same colleague visited... beer, chips, Grand Final. At three quarter time during an exciting game, the cable channel switched it to some local basketball game . I knew then that I was on another planet.

[Muttley Snickers]

I'm not much of a movie buff but occasionally one with a decent cast will get my attention. I particularly enjoyed the ending theme where they listed the cast and told the story. 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_Dog_Morgan

https://youtube.com/watch?v=nM-efXn6Mcg

https://youtube.com/watch?v=A7zi6uc81aw&vl=en

[BubbaMc]

Mad Max 2
Snowtown

[MathWizard]

Lord of the Rings

[Sal Ammoniac]

Somewhat later the Grand Final (Aussie football equivalent to the Superbowl but arguably more entertaining) was being played on cable.

I'm very familiar with the Grand Final--I've been watching it here in the States every year since 1982. I've always been a Hawthorn supporter, and fondly remember players like Leigh Mathews, Jason Dunstall, and Dermott Brereton from back then.

[Connecteur]

Sorry to say it here, but I much prefer watching David Tipton.  It's hard not to admire his perfectionism.  On several occasions he has done something well enough, but gone back and done it right because he "couldn't sleep."  He's also quite humorous at times without going overboard as some do.

In a recent episode, he traveled to Melbourne, and I asked if he visited Dave Jones.  He said he didn't even know he lived there.

[fourfathom]

Early Peter Weir films not already mentioned:
The Cars That Ate Paris (retitled as The Cars That Eat People) -- amusing
The Last Wave -- very good

And already mentioned, but: Picnic at Hanging Rock -- great

[armandine2]

you might not want to sleep through this one

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleeping_Beauty_(2011_film)

[Karel]

Troppo



https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13315664/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troppo_(TV_series)

[tautech]

Lord of the Rings

While our flags are similar filming was entirely in NZ directed by the Kiwi Sir Peter Jackson so sorry the Aussies can't claim credit.

[Brumby]

Lord of the Rings

While our flags are similar filming was entirely in NZ directed by the Kiwi Sir Peter Jackson so sorry the Aussies can't claim credit.

While there is a brotherhood between Australia and New Zealand that spans many decades, we don't go quite as far as to claim films.

We might adopt a racehorse, though. 

[Brumby]

In a recent episode, he traveled to Melbourne, and I asked if he visited Dave Jones.  He said he didn't even know he lived there.

He doesn't.  Dave lives in Sydney.

[tautech]

Lord of the Rings

While our flags are similar filming was entirely in NZ directed by the Kiwi Sir Peter Jackson so sorry the Aussies can't claim credit.

While there is a brotherhood between Australia and New Zealand that spans many decades, we don't go quite as far as to claim films.

We might adopt a racehorse, though. 

And attempt to claim the lucky land as the origin of Pavlova too !

Then more recent is Manuka honey, an entirely NZ thing but not according to the Aussies where they claim the 'tea tree' as Captain Cook called it is also Manuka, yes it is the same species however it is yet to be proven Manuka is a word for 'tea tree' used by Aussie indigenous people as it is by the NZ natives......oh hang on, I'm one of them too as I was born here although never have I tried to claim something the Aussies have as of NZ origin. 

[Ed.Kloonk]

Lord of the Rings

While our flags are similar filming was entirely in NZ directed by the Kiwi Sir Peter Jackson so sorry the Aussies can't claim credit.

While there is a brotherhood between Australia and New Zealand that spans many decades, we don't go quite as far as to claim films.

We might adopt a racehorse, though. 

And attempt to claim the lucky land as the origin of Pavlova too !

Then more recent is Manuka honey, an entirely NZ thing but not according to the Aussies where they claim the 'tea tree' as Captain Cook called it is also Manuka, yes it is the same species however it is yet to be proven Manuka is a word for 'tea tree' used by Aussie indigenous people as it is by the NZ natives......oh hang on, I'm one of them too as I was born here although never have I tried to claim something the Aussies have as of NZ origin.

We'll never admit you created the Pavlova until you admit you created Russel Bloody Crowe.

[tautech]

Lord of the Rings

While our flags are similar filming was entirely in NZ directed by the Kiwi Sir Peter Jackson so sorry the Aussies can't claim credit.

While there is a brotherhood between Australia and New Zealand that spans many decades, we don't go quite as far as to claim films.

We might adopt a racehorse, though. 

And attempt to claim the lucky land as the origin of Pavlova too !

Then more recent is Manuka honey, an entirely NZ thing but not according to the Aussies where they claim the 'tea tree' as Captain Cook called it is also Manuka, yes it is the same species however it is yet to be proven Manuka is a word for 'tea tree' used by Aussie indigenous people as it is by the NZ natives......oh hang on, I'm one of them too as I was born here although never have I tried to claim something the Aussies have as of NZ origin.

We'll never admit you created the Pavlova until you admit you created Russel Bloody Crowe.

He's ours certainly however you have something that makes Aussie home for him now, fix that and we'll no doubt have to have him back.

[Ed.Kloonk]

fix that and we'll no doubt have to have him back.

You know what you have to do to fix it. 

 

[BradC]

And attempt to claim the lucky land as the origin of Pavlova too !

You had John Clarke and Murray Ball, what more do you need?

[tautech]

And attempt to claim the lucky land as the origin of Pavlova too !

You had John Clarke and Murray Ball, what more do you need?

Really we weren't mature enough to handle Clarke and Dawe once John had left Fred Dagg in NZ and I hope you Ozzies really enjoyed his superbly dry humor. A truly sad loss to world comedy. 

Ball is gone too but his work is his legacy and will be forever timeless.

[Ed.Kloonk]

And attempt to claim the lucky land as the origin of Pavlova too !

You had John Clarke and Murray Ball, what more do you need?

Really we weren't mature enough to handle Clarke and Dawe once John had left Fred Dagg in NZ and I hope you Ozzies really enjoyed his superbly dry humor. A truly sad loss to world comedy. 

Ball is gone too but his work is his legacy and will be forever timeless.

A bloke called Topher Field on youtube has been making episodes called Topher and Rukshan. (trigger warning).

To lift the off topic curse from my post, Topher has also produced a movie recently. (mega trigger warning).

[tautech]

A bloke called Topher Field on youtube has been making episodes called Topher and Rukshan. (trigger warning).

Just watched The Science and it triggered memories of Yes Minister. 
Not sure if that's good or bad but will watch a few more.

[Zeyneb]

I did like Japanese Story pretty much. It is a  romantic drama film.

[Karel]

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11847842/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tourist_(TV_series)