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Dot and the Kangaroo (1977)

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The food of understanding

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

Clip description

Dot (voiced by Barbara Frawley) has become lost in the forest, but a large red kangaroo (Joan Bruce) takes pity on her. The kangaroo gives her some roots to eat. This allows her to understand animal language. Dot enjoys the delicious 'food of understanding’ but the female kangaroo, who has lost her own joey, warns her not to eat too much of it. Knowing too much will only make you miserable, she tells Dot.

Curator’s notes

by Paul Byrnes

These are unexpected sentiments in a children’s animation, but completely understandable in the context of Yoram Gross’s own history, as a child who lived from age 13 to 18 in the shadow of the Nazi Holocaust – where knowing too much could certainly be a form of misery. The idea comes from the original text, but with a significant change. In the book, the kangaroo tells Dot not to eat too much, lest she get an upset tummy, which will make her miserable.

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australianscreen is produced by the National Film and Sound Archive. By using the website you agree to comply with the terms and conditions described 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.

When you access australianscreen you agree that:

  • You may retrieve materials for information only.
  • You may download materials for your personal use or for non-commercial educational purposes, but you must not publish them elsewhere or redistribute clips in any way.
  • You may embed the clip for non-commercial educational purposes including for use on a school intranet site or a school resource catalogue.
  • 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.

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ANY UNAUTHORISED USE OF MATERIAL ON THIS SITE MAY RESULT IN CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY.

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