Top 10 Important Aussie Films

The Story of the Kelly Gang (1906)

Charles Tait – In a time when most films ran for 10 minutes (the length of a reel of film) this was the first film to run for over 60 mins.  "So what, you say?"  This is the first time a filmmaker envisaged his film as a complete entertainment for his audience, a developing story with action and character.  Of course it had to be about one our biggest icons – Ned Kelly. It has recently been wonderfully restored by the National Film and Sound Archive and the DVD comes with a booklet detailing the history of the film.

For The Term of His Natural Life (1927)

Norman Dawn –Produced on a budget of over $50 000, this was epic for its time when the Australian film industry was keeping up with Hollywood production in terms of prestige and scale.

Jedda (1955)

Charles Chauvel – There’s a reason why he has a cinema named after him.  Chauvel was by far our most important and famous director working from the 1920s to the 1950s.  Although its racial politics have dated, like Chauvel’s other work, Jedda was shot on an epic scale, as befitting its landmark status as our first colour film.  (This film has not been released on DVD yet).

They’re a Weird Mob (1966)

Michael Powell – Who would have thought that a most typically British director like Michael Powell (The Red Shoes) would make one of the first typical Australian comedies? Shot around Bondi, its story about an Italian immigrant’s first experiences of Australia, are as true today as they were forty years ago.

Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975)

Peter Weir – Some may frown at the thought of this interminable film but it heralded the beginning of the Australian “New Wave,” when overseas critics, viewers and filmmakers started to take notice of Australian films, directors and actors.

Gallipoli (1981)

Peter Weir – Every year around Anzac Day, this classic is not to be found in the shop. A realistic and entertaining story about one of the most important events in our history. It has become compulsory viewing (it was also Mel Gibson’s second big break, afterMad Max, 1979).

Crocodile Dundee (1986)

Peter Faiman – Although we all know that most Australians don’t really act like this,Crocodile Dundee sold an image of us that struck a chord with Americans that made it a blockbuster.

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)

Stephan Elliott – Priscilla is the queen of Australian 1990s comedies – mixes over-the-top (and Oscar-winning) costumes and 70s disco hits a funny and bittersweet undertone script about social outsiders trying to find acceptance.

The Castle (1997)

Rob Sitch – This film, from the creators of Frontline, perfectly and hilariously captures the Aussie battler spirit. Who can go out into the country without saying “How’s the serenity?”

Happy Feet (2007)

George Miller – Although Miller’s Babe (1995) could go on this list too,Happy Feet earns its place because it won the Academy Award for the best animated feature. Was anyone surprised? It has awesome animation, beguiling characters and a funny, heartwarming script that navigated its conservation message while avoiding heavy-handed preaching (for the most part).