Australian
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Crocodile Dundee (1985)

play Coarse language – low
clip 'Mind over matter' education content clip 2

Original classification rating: M. This clip chosen to be PG

Clip description

En route to crocodile country, reporter Sue Charlton (Linda Kozlowski) asks Mick Dundee (Paul Hogan) about his age and background. Mick’s business partner Wally (John Meillon) tries to embroider the legend but Mick sets her straight, suggesting a rough childhood and an inability to sustain a marriage. Mick demonstrates his mental powers over a recalcitrant buffalo.

Curator’s notes

by Paul Byrnes

One of the film’s most appealing attributes is its playful, self-mocking humour. This scene is both self-aware and unselfconsciously honest. Wally sees the reporter as a publicity tool, an effective means of getting more tourists to the travel company he runs with Mick. He takes every opportunity to build Mick’s legend, which underestimates her intelligence. Dundee positions himself as a more honest source of information. In the process he reveals a glimpse of an unhappy childhood, and a failed relationship – 'a sort of’ marriage. His power over the water buffalo suggests he is more at home with animals than women.

This clip starts approximately 16 minutes into the feature.

Sue Charlton, Mick Dundee and Wally stand around Mick’s truck.
Sue Charlton How old are you?
Mick Dundee long pause Dunno. What year is this?
Sue You don’t know?
Wally Time doesn’t mean much up here you see Miss, you see the Aborigines don’t have calendars, they raised him, they called him Mingirock, which means ah…
Mick Bullshit Wally. The fact is I was handed around the relatives a lot as a kid. Lost track of birthdays and stuff like that. I reckon I must be about 40 Wal.
Wally nods.

Sue, Mick and Wally drive along through the wetlands.
Sue and is there a Mrs Crocodile Dundee?
Mick I was sort-of married once. Nice girl, good cook, big _he gestures towards his chest_…
Wally interrupts Mick, gesturing at Sue.
Mick Anyway, I went off on walkabout and when I came back she’d gone.
Sue A walkabout?
Wally That’s an aboriginal habit. It means to wander around and, and discover new places.
Sue How long were you gone?
Mick Awh, a couple of months.
Wally Try 18.
Sue and she didn’t wait? Strange girl.
Mick Yeah.

They come up to a water buffalo and Mick beeps the horn.
Mick Out of the way dopey!
The water buffalo breaths heavily through its nostrils.
Mick beeps again.
Mick walks up to the buffalo and places his fingers near its face whilst making a soft noise.
Sue takes photos.
The water buffalo breaths heavily and drops to its knees.
Sue Jesus. That was amazing.
Wally Mind over matter. Laughs. An old bushman’s trick.
Mick walks back towards the car.