The Overlanders

Dir: Harry Watt

1946

***

Harry Watt's The Overlanders can boast being the most widely seen Australian film of all time. Filmed during 1944, it was made after the Australian Government contacted Britain's Ministry of Information asking for advice as they felt Australia's contribution towards the war effort wasn't being recognized by the rest of the world. Britain's Ministry of Information put them in contact with Britain's famous Ealing Film studios and the rest is history. It's not your usual propaganda film, indeed the intention was to film a documentary but after hearing about an incident in 1942 that involved 100,000 cattle being driven 2000 miles to the Northern Territories to escape a feared Japanese invasion, Harry Watt had a better idea. The film did very well for Harry Watt, the actors and indeed the Australian Government. Ealing Studios even made a profit after selling off the cattle they bought for the film and they went on to film a few more films down under to much success. The overwhelming response as to why the film appealed to so many was because it was quintessentially Australian. An authentic representation of its society, belief and character. A job had to be done, and Dan McAlpine (played by Chips Rafferty, Oz's answer to Gary Cooper) rolled up his sleeves and got on with it. There is quite a wonderful scene in the film whereby Corky, one of the crew members who is found out to be actually rather wealthy, states that he intends to develop the Northern Territory and is put in his place by McAlpine in a rather rousing speech. Some of the cinematography is stunning and there are some genuinely nail biting moments of suspense (particularly during a scene where the cattle are lead across a cliff's edge). It is a little slow at times and the acting isn't always great but it certainly has the feel good factor. An alternative western and an alternative war film, unique and charming.