Original classification rating: G.
This clip chosen to be G
Clip description
These are the opening titles and theme music that went into Australian homes every night for ten years, just before the ABC’s seven o’clock news. In the scene that follows, Lori Chandler (Elspeth Ballantyne) has returned to Bellbird on holiday and is helping out at the Emersons as the crisis over their newborn child threatens to disrupt normal life. Auguste Grossark (Kurt Ludescher), Jim Emerson’s (Carl Bleazby) father-in-law, is also waiting anxiously for news of his grandson, but it is younger brother David Emerson (Gary Gray) who eventually takes a call from the hospital which suggests that all is not well.
Curator’s notes
Note the fairly sophisticated camerawork in this scene, probably from a crane, that enables us to watch the reaction of all the characters in an over-the-shoulder shot as David speaks on the phone. Considering the speed at which these episodes were made, it says a lot about the discipline and skills of both cast and crew.
Jim’s remark about leaving ‘a lot to the Lord’ neatly foreshadows his stronger questioning of God to come and adds to the tension in the scene (compare the lighter feel of clip one). The tension only increases with the telephone call. Although we are denied hearing the other side of the conversation, the performances convey that the news will not be good, through David’s subdued tone and the alert posture and concerned expressions of the listeners at the table.
The opening titles for Bellbird were shot in Daylesford, about 115 kms north-east of Melbourne. That was a little far to go every week, however, to shoot the six minutes or so of filmed exterior sequences that were inserted into each week’s block. Most of them were shot at Eltham, only 20 kms away and in the then pastoral and market garden area of suburban Springvale.
Thanks to the generosity of the rights holders, we are able to offer Welcome to Bellbird from the television program Bellbird as a high quality video download.
To play the downloadable video, you need QuickTime 7.0, VLC, or similar.
You must read and agree to the following terms and conditions before downloading the clip:
Downloadable Video – FOR EDUCATIONAL CRITICISM AND REVIEW PURPOSES ONLY
This clip is available for download for the limited purpose of criticism and review in an educational context. You must obtain permission from editorial@aso.gov.au for all other purposes for use of this material.
Terms & Conditions
australianscreen is produced by the National Film and Sound Archive. By using the website you agree to comply with the terms and conditions described here and elsewhere on this site. The NFSA may amend the 'Conditions of Use’ from time to time without notice.
All materials on the site, including but not limited to text, video clips, audio clips, designs, logos, illustrations and still images, are protected by the Copyright Laws of Australia and international conventions. ALL rights are reserved.
You must read and agree to the following terms and conditions before downloading this clip:
When you access ABC materials on australianscreen you agree that:
- You may download this clip to assist your information, criticism and review purposes in conjunction with viewing this website only;
- Downloading this clip for purposes other than criticism and review is Prohibited;
- Downloading for purposes other than non-commercial educational uses is Prohibited;
- Downloading this clip in association with any commercial purpose is Prohibited;
The National Film and Sound Archive’s permission must be sought to amend any information in the materials, unless otherwise stated in notices throughout the Site.
ANY UNAUTHORISED USE OF MATERIAL ON THIS SITE MAY RESULT IN CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY.
This clip is available in the following configurations:
| File name | Size | Quality | Suitability |
|
bellbird2_pr.mp4
|
Large: 14.8MB |
High |
Optimised for full-screen display on a fast computer. |
|
bellbird2_bb.mp4
|
Medium: 7.0MB |
Medium |
Can be displayed full screen. Also suitable for video iPods. |
Right-click on the links above to download video files to your computer.
Thanks to the generosity of the rights holders, we are able to offer this clip in an embeddable format for personal or non-commercial educational use in full form on your own website or your own blog.
You must read and agree to the following terms and conditions before embedding the clip:
Downloadable Video – FOR EDUCATIONAL CRITICISM AND REVIEW PURPOSES ONLY
This clip is available for download for the limited purpose of criticism and review in an educational context. You must obtain permission from editorial@aso.gov.au for all other purposes for use of this material.
Terms & Conditions
australianscreen is produced by the National Film and Sound Archive. By using the website you agree to comply with the terms and conditions described here and elsewhere on this site. The NFSA may amend the 'Conditions of Use’ from time to time without notice.
All materials on the site, including but not limited to text, video clips, audio clips, designs, logos, illustrations and still images, are protected by the Copyright Laws of Australia and international conventions. ALL rights are reserved.
You must read and agree to the following terms and conditions before downloading this clip:
When you access ABC materials on australianscreen you agree that:
- You may download this clip to assist your information, criticism and review purposes in conjunction with viewing this website only;
- Downloading this clip for purposes other than criticism and review is Prohibited;
- Downloading for purposes other than non-commercial educational uses is Prohibited;
- Downloading this clip in association with any commercial purpose is Prohibited;
The National Film and Sound Archive’s permission must be sought to amend any information in the materials, unless otherwise stated in notices throughout the Site.
ANY UNAUTHORISED USE OF MATERIAL ON THIS SITE MAY RESULT IN CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY.
Copy and paste the following code into your own web page to embed this clip:
Share
