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Wandjina! – Episode 5 (1966)

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Kookaburra laughs no more

Original classification rating: G. This clip chosen to be G

Clip description

Local police sergeant Tom Hicks (Bob Haddow) looks for two missing boys accompanied by the boys’ friends, Anne (Jacki Weaver) and Linda (Juliana Allan), and Anne’s father (Brian James). As they enter the hills, they see a radar on a hilltop and a strange robed figure. The figure points a weapon at a kookaburra, sitting in the trees above Hicks, Dad and the girls, and then the kookaburra falls to the ground – dead.

Curator’s notes

This clip introduces Jacki Weaver in her television debut, as Anne. It’s an innocuous start to a long career that has seen Jacki embraced by Hollywood over 40 years after this was shot, in the wake of Animal Kingdom (2010). Only 19 when this was released, she passes as a teenager and seems believably distressed at the death of the kookaburra.

Juliana Allan does not pass as an Indigenous teenager and the ‘blackface’ make-up she wears to play Anne’s friend Linda makes for an unconvincing representation of Aboriginality. She simply looks odd and this detracts from what is otherwise a smartly edited and intriguing adventure sequence. Why the mysterious robed figure on the hill chooses to shoot the kookaburra is one of several questions left unanswered by this clip.

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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:

  1. You may download this clip to assist your information, criticism and review purposes in conjunction with viewing this website only;
  2. Downloading this clip for purposes other than criticism and review is Prohibited;
  3. Downloading for purposes other than non-commercial educational uses is Prohibited;
  4. 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.

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