This film is about the experiences of an italian immigrant, Nino Culotta (Walter Chiari), who has literally just got off the boat in 1965 Sydney. Quickly coming to terms with the colourful locals and their `weird’ language and customs becomes a matter of survival. Nino finds himself alone in the big city after his bankrupt cousin disappears along with a promised job as a sportswriter for an italian magazine.

Taking a job as a builder’s labourer, he inevitably befriends his co-workers and decides he will marry Kay Kelly (Clare Dunne) the frosty daughter of the owner of one of the biggest building firms in Sydney, Harry Kelly (Chips Rafferty). Just to make things interesting, Kay’s dad hates builders labourers and dagos, and Kay herself wants nothing to do with Nino, who she assumes is as much of a swindler as his cousin - and still running from the authorities.

There’s lots of aussie accents, slang terms and Sydney scenery. Given that no studio sets were built - most of the action was shot on location - it stands to reason. I think that the film’s definitely dated, and it’s really hard to believe that the Aussie accent REALLY IS that broad, but there you go - it is! What a reminder! Either the novelty wore off as the film progressed, or the first half of the film is just more inspired than the last. Some of the early scenes in the film are good, but overall, it’s an average effort. I had never seen this film, but had heard about it, so I may have had high expectations. It’s hardly hilarious, as the DVD cover suggests, but it probably qualifies as a classic `Australian’ film.

Based on the bestselling Australian book of the same name, written by `Nino Culotta’ (a.k.a. John O’Grady), this film was destined to be a hit with the locals. The `world’ premiere was held at Sydney’s State Theatre in August 1966, and was quite an event on the Australian film industry’s social calendar. Up to that time, the film industry in Australia was struggling, and all involved with the film were hoping that this good-natured tale of a classic culture clash would be the `shot in the arm’ that the industry sorely needed. I wonder if it was? Opening week attendances broke a 37 year record for the theatre. Not sure how it fared around the rest of the country, but Sydney audiences clearly embraced the film.

The famous British director, producer and screenwriter Michael Powell steered the project as producer-director, with a screenplay written by Emeric Pressburger (under the pseudonym Richard Imrie). Past collaborations between the two have produced such well-known films as “Stairway To Heaven”, “The Red Shoes” and “Black Narcissus”. Trust me when I say that fans of Powell-Pressburger films would necessarily have eclectic tastes. So - 5 script re-writes and $600,000 later - the result is an unashamedly lowbrow but watchable aussie film showcasing lots of well-known local actors of the time. Chiari’s real-life girlfriend, Alida Chelli, was also in the cast. A closing piece of trivia: the now famous Sydney Opera House was actually being built as this film was being made; I wondered why there were no gratuitous shots of it in the film!

THE EXTRAS

Aside from the basics - scene select, subtitles (ONLY English for the Hearing Impaired) and trailer - there is a picture gallery that also provides some information about the film’s world premiere, and a 55 minute `making of’ TV special (in B & W). This was well worth watching, providing lots of information about the production (as above in the `story’ section) and interviews with John O’Grady, Michael Powell and cast members. It’s narrated by Ed Devereaux who plays Nino’s mate, Joe in the film.

CONCLUSION

An average film overall - good in bits. A simple, good-natured look at a classic clash of cultures with an all-star aussie cast and charismatic leading man. Produced, directed and written by the famous duo of Powell and Pressburger. Based on a best-selling novel and sensationally popular when released in 1966, it’s great if you enjoy aussie stereotypes - sheilas, beer, beaches, beer, brickies, beer, drunks, beer, lifesavers, beer. Oh, and did I mention beer? The `making of’ doco in the extras is a definite must see, and helps place the film in context. Touted as a classic Australian film, I’m not sure if this is sad or not - the jury’s still out! If you like “The Adventures of Barry McKenzie” you’d like this as well - although I think `Barry M’ is a better film, incidentally.