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Backs to the Blast, an Australian Nuclear Story (1981)

The documentary summarises nuclear testing in the 1950s in Australia and its consequences. This compilation documentary uses archival footage from both scientific recordings and newsreels of the time. The film was made in 1981, 25 years after the above-ground nuclear ... [read more]

Birth of the Red Kangaroo (1965)

This CSIRO documentary details the reproductive cycle of the red kangaroo, its mating habits and the early stages of a kangaroo’s development as it grows in the pouch. It includes animated diagrams to illustrate ... [read more]

Painting the Town: A Film About Yosl Bergner (1987)

Painting the Town is a portrait of artist Yosl Bergner in the context of the Melbourne artistic milieu of the 1930s and 1940s. It tells the story of his short but significant period in Australia, his life in Israel, and ... [read more]

The Coca-Cola Kid (1985)

Concerned about profit margins in Australia, the Coca-Cola company sends its top trouble shooter Becker (Eric Roberts) to its Sydney office. The company’s Australian boss, Frank Hunter (Max Gillies), tells Becker about T George McDowell (Bill Kerr), an old-style soft-drink ... [read more]

In the Head the Fire (1966)

Commissioned by the ABC, In The Head the Fire is a musical composition with words for radio. It is written for a speaker, vocal soloists, a choir, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments, a piano, an organ and ... [read more]

The Western Distributor (1973)

A public relations film made for the New South Wales Department of Main Roads by Kingcroft Productions which documents the construction of the first stage of the Western Distributor, providing a route from the Sydney Harbour Bridge through to Ultimo ... [read more]

A Big Country – On the Hook (1976)

In the mid-1970s, when this program was made, the waterside workers were in well paid, full-time jobs. Few viewers would have known of their traumatic history and the growth of the union that protects the rights of workers on the ... [read more]

Into the Shadows (2009)

This independent documentary examines problems facing the Australian film industry in the fast-changing conditions of the early 21st century. At the point the film was made, independent cinemas were closing and Australian films routinely falling over at the local box ... [read more]

Bastards from the Bush, A Journey with Bob Ellis and Les Murray (1998)

Author and screenwriter Bob Ellis and poet Les Murray go on a journey visiting significant places from their past. They attended Sydney University together and remain staunch friends after 39 years. They go to Newcastle NSW, Sydney, Taree, Canberra, ... [read more]

Homicide – The Decimal Point (1965)

What starts out looking like a straightforward crime committed in self-defence becomes a complicated double murder investigation and prompts homicide detectives to reopen an old file. One of the murder victims, a prison escapee, was a suspect in a robbery ... [read more]

Jack Thompson Down Under – Episode 25 (1987)

A magazine-style program representing aspects of Australian life, culled from footage shot over the years primarily by the ABC and Film Australia and presented by Aussie icon Jack Thompson. In this program there’s an item about the ... [read more]

The Money or the Gun – Heroin (1989)

In this episode of his variety-chat show, host Andrew Denton explores the subject of heroin and heroin addiction. [read more]

Opal Fever (2004)

Opal Fever is a four-part documentary series that explores the obsession with mining the precious stone opal. The series looks at the miners, retailers and consumers of opals. It also examines the dangers of working underground. The series is set ... [read more]

Compass – Fly on the Wall Messiah (2004)

Every year, 700 amateur singers come together to perform Handel’s Messiah at the Sydney Town Hall. It’s a Christmas tradition. They have nine rehearsals only and getting ready for the big night is a nail-biting experience. [read more]

The Harold Holt Mystery (1985)

On 17 December 1967 Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt disappeared while swimming at Cheviot Beach, near Portsea, an hour’s drive south of Melbourne in Victoria. His body was never found. Using dramatic re-creation and archival footage, this docudrama traces the ... [read more]

Cartoons of the Moment – The War Zoo (c1915)

A segment from an animated political series created by cartoonist Harry Julius for wartime editions of the Australasian Gazette newsreel. In this edition, zoo animals are used to depict the major warring countries including: a lion (Britain), an eagle (the ... [read more]

Strike Me Lucky (1934)

Broke and behind his rent during the Great Depression, ‘Mo’ McIsaac (Roy Rene) tries to find work to support a young orphan girl he finds dancing for pennies in the street. Miriam ('Baby’ Pamela Bevan) is really the missing daughter ... [read more]

Mabo: An Address to the Nation (1993)

On 15 November 1993, Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating addresses the nation on his government’s response to the High Court Mabo decision which recognised native title for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Outlining the history of the Mabo court case ... [read more]

Holden Car Cinema Advertisement: A New Star, the New Holden FE (1956)

This colour cinema advertisement by Litchfield Film Productions launches the new model Holden sedan, the 1956 FE. [read more]

Harold (1994)

Harold Blair was the first Aboriginal person to sing on national radio. He studied singing in the USA and his tenor voice was heard throughout the world. This biographical documentary about his life honours his achievements in music and ... [read more]

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