Cinema
Burke & Wills
Graeme Clifford · 1985
Synopsis
On 20 August 1860, the Victorian Exploring Expedition leaves Melbourne amid fanfare and optimism, to cross the interior of the continent. It is led by Robert O'Hara Burke, an Irish explorer, with a young British surveyor, William John Wills, as his second-in-command. The column splits into small groups; supplies run out, the heat overwhelms the men, and Burke's obstinacy multiplies the quarrels, while the help offered by the Aboriginal people is rejected.
Context
The screenplay is by Michael Thomas, after a project by Terence Rattigan was abandoned. The director insisted on filming along the expedition's actual route: the crew set up at Innamincka, on Cooper Creek, for a good part of the thirteen weeks of shooting, which began in September 1984. The budget, 8.9 or 9.3 million dollars depending on the source, made it one of the most expensive Australian films. Released in November 1985, a week after a parody of the same episode directed by Bob Weis and poorly received, it earned only 1,567,000 dollars in Australia.
Who it is for
A historical adventure film in Australian English, 140 minutes long, with Jack Thompson and Nigel Havers.
Prizes and reception
Presented at Cannes in 1986; eight nominations for the AFI awards, without winning any; a commercial failure.