Skip to navigation

‹ Prev Next ›

July 31st, 2006

Best Australian Films Since 1991

What began during a conversation with Dan and Jody a few weeks ago about good Australian Cinema, and continued last night as a list of Australian film recommendations for Shoham and Michel from the local video store, debuts here as the preliminary list of best Australian movies in the last fifteen years. The following list is compiled from a combination of unreliable memory traces, favourite actor preferences, and IMDb assaults undertaken by Yours Truly. It may not be the most systematic list ever put together. Do you spot any errors or omissions? Leave a comment. Let’s sort this out.

Molly, Daisy and Gracie at the rabbit fence

(All title links point to the IMDb.)

The Keating Years (Prime Minister, 1991–1996)

The Howard Years (Prime Minister, 1996–present)

Contenders

Rules for Inclusion

To plug for having a movie added to or subtracted from the list, please keep the following points in mind. An “Australian movie” is taken to be any movie that is set, filmed and produced mostly in Australia. Examples: Oscar and Lucinda is an adaptation of a Peter Carey novel, set in Australia, therefore it’s Australian. The Matrix was filmed in Australia, co-produced by an Australian company, and stars many Australian actors and the city of Sydney, but since is not set in Sydney and since all characters have an American accent, it is not Australian. Similarly, though Finding Nemo was set in Australia, and starred some Australian actors, it was produced, written and directed by Americans in the U.S., and is therefore not Australian. Finally, since most movies begin production at least a year before they are released, Keating gets all of 1996, even though he lost the bloody election in March of that year.

40 Responses

  1. Dan

    Remember that this is a list of good Australian Movies, not good movies that happen to come from Australia. There are no Citizen Kane’s or Lawrence of Arabia’s in the currently. (Just stirring)

    In the comedy segment, I’d like to add Tony Martin’s Cracker Jack.

    July 31st, 2006 at 3:49 pm #

  2. Ads

    Stir away. Crackerjack came up a number of times in my searches, although I didn’t include it since I haven’t seen it. It’s definitely on my to-do list now though, thanks Dan.

    July 31st, 2006 at 3:54 pm #

  3. Phil

    I quite liked “Dirty Deeds” (2002). It does co-star John Goodman but I think it has to be Australian.

    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0280605/

    July 31st, 2006 at 5:54 pm #

  4. Ads

    Thanks Phil. Haven’t seen this one either. I see that it has the same director as Idiot Box (David Caeser) which movie I totally loved. I’ll definitely take a look.

    July 31st, 2006 at 6:03 pm #

  5. Edward IX

    The standouts for me are Lantana and Little Fish and there is a lesson in that for film-makers the world over. Lantana featured fairly ordinary characters faced with extraordinary events. Too often films go in for ‘whacky and zany’ characters which have no relevance. Just as politicians have difficulty relating to the public because they are surrounded by those immersed in politics so movie makers often struggle to understand what the lay film goer wants because they spend a lot of their time surrounded by people immersed in the arts. Lantana and Little fish were about dreary middle class types. No bush rangers, flamboyant gays, gordon geckos or that set-piece character of independent film, the disillusioned, roly smoking, beret wearing, philosophising English lit student. Such characters are there to impress other film makers but are of less interest to people who have little or no first hand contact with the arts world other than as consumers. In a nutshell, ‘great’ Australian films are ones that tell the story of our community and given that Australia is 90% urban, middle class and unlikely to spend nights solving mysteries with a gang of misfit teenagers; the characters in great films will also be fairly dull. Also, the arts scene is so conformist in that film makers are usually a little afraid to make films that do not evince a passion for the empowerment of marginalised members of society. Whoever made Lantana and Little fish excelled for another very simple reason; in telling their stories they did not seem concerned with how it might influence people’s perceptions of them. I’m really looking forward to ‘Jindabyne’ (and carbon taxes!).

    July 31st, 2006 at 7:38 pm #

  6. Ads

    I loved those movies for the same reasons Ned, that they represent drama at the ordinary level of the lives people actually live. Erskineville Kings had a similar effect on me, and it was profound. Oyster Farmer has much of the same quality, mitigated only a little by the fact that almost the entire film is set amidst the beauty of the Hawkesbury River landscape. Although they also traverse mountains (Lantana) and coast (Little Fish), the movies you mentioned are more connected to the city and never lose their distinctly urban feel. Erskineville Kings is relentless in this way.

    July 31st, 2006 at 8:53 pm #

  7. Dan

    I’ll second Dirty Deeds. Any one else like Getting Square?

    July 31st, 2006 at 9:14 pm #

  8. Bryce & The Bandit(s)

    (ahem)

    Crocodile Dundee III: Dundee in L.A.?

    But seriously …

    Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course?

    Oh sorry, this time seriously …

    Strictly Ballroom
    Wolf Creek
    The Proposition
    He Died With A Felafel In His Hand
    The Sum Of Us

    Oh oh oh - and Hercules Returns!! He he he

    What do you think?

    Well Mr Ads, I do believe this is the first post I have posted on your postings. How should I finish it off? What should I do post-post? Quick, post-haste!

    Awaiting your riposte …

    July 31st, 2006 at 10:53 pm #

  9. Ads

    Dan: Thanks for reminding me about Gettin’ Square. I know you mentioned it recently but I’d forgotten. Will try to get my hands on it.

    Bryce: Good to see that your punning ways are as intact as ever! I was wondering if anyone would mention Strictly Ballroom. I haven’t actually seen the whole thing, but I guess I should. Are you serious about Wolf Creek? Sum of Us: good call. Felafel: big fan of the book but never saw the movie — I heard it wasn’t that good. You disagree? Hercules: definite contender. The Proposition: OH - YEAH. I just saw the trailer. Nick Cave, and that amazing cast: it looks like a winner. It’s going straight to the pool room.

    August 1st, 2006 at 10:21 am #

  10. Pete Cooke

    Ads,

    Thanks for correcting Dan - it’s Gettin Square, not Getting Square.

    Which is very important because there’s no way that David Wenham’s character would have ever pronounced his “ings”

    This was a screen play written by a Gold Coast criminal lawyer called Chris Nyst. He has featured in some real life courtroom dramas on some fairly high profile cases, so he knows how crims think, especially Oz crims.

    Whilst the movie wasn’t critically acclaimed down under, I feel it is a brilliant example of a movie that captures how a quintessential Australian “no hoper” fares when he trys to go straight and it is really funny.

    My favourate line was the scene in the restaurant, run by another ex-crim (whose wife is on a severe diet) when she says: ” I’m so hungry, I could eat the arse out of a low flying duck!”

    Chris Nyst has also wrtitten several books, if anyone wants to go down that track. The most recent one I’ve read is called ” Gone” and i can recommend it.

    Wolf CreeK

    You’d have to have this one on your list. There’s agruably only one other Australian horror flick which would come close to the chilling portrayal by John Jarrat of the back packer wacker.

    Really rammed home how the Australian bush can so easily be used to mask unspeakable atrocities of the Peter Falconio and Ivan Milat calibre.

    John Jarrat is unrecognisable from the friendly dude who used to accompany his ex-wife, Noni Hazlehurst, on Play School in the 80’s. Apparently, in oder to bring as much realism to the role and to heighten the tension, while the film was being shot, he deliberately did not meet the 3 young actors who played the back-packers, prior to the start of filming. He gave them short shrift on the set, even to the extent of disappearing into his caravan after each day’s shoot, sinking copious Bundies and being thoroughly unsociable. So much so that the otehr cast members were actually very intimadted by him.

    As you can see i am a big fan of this one and would argue that it is the best Australian horror movie ever made

    Dead Calm (1989)

    This should make the list, Very good Australian cast and Phil Noyce directed. BillY Zane is the only interloper but he’s pretty convincing, Nicole and Sam Neill do a good job too.

    I’d rate this one as No 2 Oz scary movie after Wolf Creek

    Alexander’s Project (2003)

    Directed by Rolf de Heer, who also directed the unique “Ten Canoes” which was released here in the last couple of months.

    Good acting and well scripted piece in the Thriller genre. Surpises around every corner.Notable for it’s unusual subject matter and especially the notion that blokes should never take anything for granted.

    Gary Sweet’s character reminded me a bit of how Mark Latham looked like the “rabbit caught in the headlights” after the last Fed election in 2004.

    That should pull me up for now.

    Bound to generate some sparkling entendres, especially from Ned and Bryce

    See ya

    Pete

    August 4th, 2006 at 4:07 pm #

  11. Peter Bechtel

    Adrian, Thankyou for the Australian Cinema Expose, which I found quite interesting. I think you guys may have missed the best Aussie film in the last 20 years? — “The Piano” (1993) Although filmed in NZ “Halliwell’s” have it listed as Australian under “Country of Origin” & I think that is fair enough. The movie received no less than 6 Academy Award nominations & won 3! Best Actress (Holly Hunter), Best Supporting Actress (a very young, Anna Paquin) & Best Writer (Jane Campion), missing out on Best Film, Best Director (Jane Campion) & Best Costume Design. This is an outstanding film! Hope you are fit & well & enjoying married life? Bech. PS: Saw “Jindabyne” on the weekend — Very good!

    August 7th, 2006 at 12:26 am #

  12. Joseph

    Hmmm you’ve got me thinking. Seeing “Kiss or Kill” made me breathe a sigh of relief, any list of great Australian films has to include that.

    Harking back a few years I would have to recommend “Walkabout”.

    And “Holy Smoke” featuring Kate Winslet, who I have to say has one of the best Australian accents by a foreign actor, it was spot on.

    Which of course brings to mind “Evil Angels” … you’re talking about my baby.

    To add a touch of cringe let’s not forget about half of “MI:2″ was set in Australia too.

    August 7th, 2006 at 6:11 am #

  13. Ads

    Pete C.: Great comments, thanks! Unfortunately they don’t have Gettin’ Square at my local video store. Will have to look further afield. They do have Dirty Deeds though, so that’s next on my list. I guess I will have to add Wolf Creek though I have to say I am a little skeptical. But Bryce mentioned it too, so there’s weight in numbers. Dead Calm is a great film but doesn’t make the cut since I’m only looking at films since 1991. It’s arbitrary, I know. Alexandra’s Project I will definitely have to look at since Rolf de Heer’s Bad Boy Bubby is on the list.

    Bech: I’m not convinced that The Piano can be classified as an Australian film, although its a close call. The characters are sent from Scotland to New Zealand where the story takes place. Jane Campion was born in New Zealand though she went to film school in Australia and lives in Sydney. Sam Neill was born in Northern Ireland though he’s lived in both Australia and New Zealand. It doesn’t make the cut by the definition I provided, but it’s definitely on the list of films for inclusion if I ever change the definition! I agree that it is an outstanding film. Can’t wait to see Jindabyne.

    Joseph: I would love to see Walkabout though it also doesn’t make the list since it was released before 1991. I’m putting Holy Smoke on the waiting list: I don’t recall the movie that well but I don’t think it really grabbed me when I first saw it, despite that I’m a big fan of Keitel, Winslet and Campion. I’ll take another look and would enjoy hearing what others think. Never seen Evil Angels, but being pre-1991 I’m off the hook there. As for M:I-2, this film lacks the quality of, well, quality that I’ve been looking for in making the list (Richard Roxburgh notwithstanding)!

    You were joking, right?

    August 18th, 2006 at 6:23 pm #

  14. Joseph

    Fear not, I was joking when I suggested MI:2, although from memory Richard Roxburgh plays a South African in that movie ??

    August 24th, 2006 at 5:14 pm #

  15. Joseph

    Just remembered another one “Three Dollars” (2005)

    August 24th, 2006 at 5:16 pm #

  16. Ads

    Great! Thanks again Joseph. I’m adding Three Dollars to the contenders list. As for M:I-2, I’m struggling to forget.

    Also, if anyone sees Last Train to Freo (2006) next month when it hits the cinemas (Dendy), I’d really like to know what you think. Everything I’ve found about it on the web indicates rave reviews (particularly from the Melbourne International Film Festival). I’m so excited about this one I submitted it to IMDb since they did not already have an entry. Hopefully it will appear in a week or so.

    August 28th, 2006 at 11:16 am #

  17. Ads

    Update: I just saw Flirting (1991) for the first time. It’s going straight to the pool room.

    August 28th, 2006 at 10:55 pm #

  18. Ads

    Update: I forgot Redball (1999). It’s awesome. I’m adding it. You can’t stop me.

    August 29th, 2006 at 12:52 am #

  19. Dave

    I don’t know if this discussion is still active or not, but I thought I might add ‘Love Serenade’ to the list. It’s a wonderful, subtle comedy which says so much about Australian small-town life and the sometimes desperate effects that loneliness can have on us all. Definitely one of my favourites.

    April 25th, 2007 at 6:44 am #

  20. Ads

    Thanks for the recommendation Dave. I hope it’s available to rent in the US.

    April 28th, 2007 at 9:21 am #

  21. tom

    What was that movie I saw in 2001 in Stralia about a bunch of blokes on the dole. Was quite funny. I can’t seem to find it anywhere on the web …

    February 13th, 2008 at 10:42 pm #

  22. tom

    Got it, The Wogboy from 2000

    February 13th, 2008 at 10:53 pm #

  23. Ads

    Haven’t seen it Tom. Your description reminded me of Idiot Box. I’d love to see that again.

    February 14th, 2008 at 10:28 pm #

  24. Durashka

    Suburban Mayhem should be added since the list’s inception. Other than that, I third Dirty Deeds and second The Proposition.

    May 22nd, 2008 at 12:39 am #

  25. Ads

    Thanks Durashka, I hadn’t heard of it and I look forward to checking it out. I loved Dirty Deeds and The Proposition. Also, if anyone reading this thread has seen Last Train to Freo, I’d love to hear what you thought.

    May 22nd, 2008 at 6:32 pm #

  26. Marilyn

    I’m trying to find an Australian movie that I saw around 2001 0r 2002 that was a love story triangle about three OLDER people in their late 60’s or erly 70’s. features a couple in a long term marriage, and wife meets old love from the past, an wants to leave her marriage. I just loved this film, and have been trying to remember the name. I think it had a single word for a title. Thanks to anyone who can help?

    May 23rd, 2008 at 10:56 am #

  27. Ads

    Doesn’t ring any bells for me, Marilyn.

    May 23rd, 2008 at 1:41 pm #

  28. Marilyn

    Ads - thanks for responding. I finally remembered the name of the film. It’s called
    “Innocence”, and was written and directed by Paul Cox. The stars were Julia Blake, Charles “Bud” Tingwell, and Terry Norris. It’s about an older married woman, who falls in love with a man from her long ago past. It was NOT a hit movie, most likely because it’s about a love affair between two old people, (senior citizens), and no one cars about or believes that such things really happen. I thought it was a wonderful film - very tastefully done, and very real. Believe me, it happens.

    May 24th, 2008 at 11:58 pm #

  29. Ads

    Marilyn, I don’t think I’ve heard of this, but I love Bud Tingwell. Not surprised that it didn’t have a popular following, given the themes. Thanks for the recommendation.

    May 26th, 2008 at 12:47 am #

  30. Shane

    Was trying to find a movie set in the Australian Bush about a teacher and some kids who are running from killers who the kids start to kill one by one?? Anyone

    June 26th, 2008 at 2:45 am #

  31. Ads

    I got nothing… About when was it released? Can you guess at where it was set? Anyone recognisable?

    June 26th, 2008 at 7:50 pm #

  32. jodie

    im trying to find an aussie film from the nineties… about a uni student who loses her boyfriend, then her flat. set in studentville, sydney somewhere. she has ongoing battle to give up smoking throughout film. i found it funny. any ideas???

    June 29th, 2008 at 2:59 am #

  33. Vince

    This is for Shane. It’s the movie Fortress (1986). I had been on a search for the same movie and finally found it. Scared the crap out of me when I first saw it as a kid. Hope you come back to read this.

    July 18th, 2008 at 4:29 pm #

  34. Adrian

    Good one Vince. I haven’t heard of it before. Here’s the IMDb entry: Fortress (1986).

    July 18th, 2008 at 7:51 pm #

  35. Andrew Dawson

    Boytown (2006 ok possibly not great cinema and let down by the last 3 mins but fun)

    Bad Eggs (2003 one of my fave Oz films)

    The Dish (2000)

    August 28th, 2008 at 12:28 am #

  36. Adrian

    Andrew, re. Boytown and Bad Eggs, not available on Netflix over here, so I’ll have to look further afield. I did enjoy The Dish, but it didn’t quite hit the high notes for me.

    September 6th, 2008 at 1:56 pm #

  37. Daniel

    Hey, how about Ned Kelly (2003) ?

    October 5th, 2008 at 11:31 pm #

  38. Adrian

    Good question, Daniel. I haven’t seen it—what did you think?

    October 5th, 2008 at 11:34 pm #

  39. Daniel

    Well, its been a while since i’ve watched it, but i thought it was a pretty solid film, good performances by all the actors and it was an enjoyable film, well worth a watch especially if your interested in Ned Kelly and want to get a little bit of an idea what late 1800’s Australia may have been like.

    October 8th, 2008 at 3:40 am #

  40. Ange

    Jodie: Damn. I’m trying to find the same movie. I thought it was great, but promptly forgot what it was called. Been searching for it for years.

    November 9th, 2008 at 7:51 pm #

Leave a Reply