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Clip description
Burke (Jack Thompson) and Wills (Nigel Havers) have reached the Gulf of Carpenteria. Lying in the sand, Burke asks Wills to be his best man when he marries Miss Julia Matthews on his return to Melbourne. Burke demands a solemn promise. The two men share a drink of water over the vow of friendship. Burke’s horse Billy rolls merrily in the sand.
Curator’s notes
This is a good example of what the movie does well. The relationship between Burke and Wills develops from strict formality, appropriate to an English gentleman and an Irish soldier, to one of deep respect and friendship, forged by an incredible shared feat of hardship. The contrast in performance styles of Thompson and Havers, two very different actors, works well in this context. Burke’s strong passion is visible and audible in face and voice. Wills is restrained, almost effete, but they have survived to become the first white men to cross the Australian continent.
Unfortunately, the scene is also historically inaccurate. Burke and Wills never reached the coast, nor lay on a beach. As soon as they established that the swamps they were trudging through were salt water and tidal, they knew they were almost at the sea. They were so low in rations that they turned back immediately, for the dash back to Cooper Creek.
