Australian
Screen

Teacher’s notes

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This clip shows Elliott (John Hargreaves) and Jessica Simmonds (Liz Alexander) leaving their car, talking about the union, observing the destruction of buildings and finally confronting casino operator Collins (Allen Bickford). They tape their attempted conversation with him and take photographs of him and his henchmen as they walk with him along Angel Street. Collins’s thugs then close in on them threateningly and they leave.

Educational value points

• The clip provides a dramatic portrayal of activism in Sydney in the 1970s and 1980s. The public involvement of individuals in a fight against corruption between developers and government provided drama, both in real life and on the screen, with the disappearance of Juanita Nielsen inspiring the film’s narrative. The film both celebrates civic activism and reminds the audience that Nielsen’s disappearance remains unsolved.

• As illustrated by the clip, Australian attitudes during the mid-20th century shifted from support for development at any cost to a desire to recognise and protect heritage and homes. Many areas of historic interest and many houses had already been lost. Even areas as central to the nation’s history as the Rocks in Sydney narrowly escaped destruction in the pursuit of land for commerce and industry. The 1960s and 1970s saw some recognition of the individual’s rights in the face of economic imperatives. Collins, the distant soulless bully in this clip, represents those imperatives. A more recent example of the exploration of this theme is The Castle (1997).

• The character Elliott is based on Jack Mundey, a hero of Australia’s trade union movement and environmental activist. Mundey was the leader of the New South Wales Builders Labourers Federation (BLF) during the 1970s, and under him, the BLF opposed indiscriminate development. As a young metal worker, Jack Mundey had become interested in how the activities on building sites related to larger social issues, such as the preservation of heritage. This led to his involvement in the Green Bans in which union action prevented the destruction of important historical areas of Sydney such as Kelly’s Bush, the Rocks, Victoria Street in Kings Cross, Woolloomooloo and Centennial Park.

• The performance of Australian actor Liz Alexander is recognised as being one of the strengths of the film. Liz Alexander has had a wide-ranging film and television career, including parts in the acclaimed film The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith (1978), and in the popular and successful television series Seven Little Australians (1974), Ben Hall (1975), Chopper Squad (1978) and All Saints (2005).

• Australian actor John Hargreaves was well known for playing typical Aussie blokes and preferred to work in Australia while a number of his peers, such as Mel Gibson, Sam Neill and Bryan Brown, went on to success to varying degrees working in the USA. Hargreaves worked widely and consistently, particularly in comedy and drama. Highlights of his film career include The Odd Angry Shot (1979), Careful, He Might Hear You (1983), Malcolm (1986) and Hotel Sorrento (1995), while on television he appeared in popular shows such as Homicide (1976) and Carson’s Law (1983). John Hargreaves died in 1996.

• The Killing of Angel Street is an example of the work of director Donald Crombie (1942–). Crombie is well known as a writer and director for film and television and has been one of Australia’s most prolific filmmakers. He has written, directed or produced more than 40 feature films, television movies, miniseries and documentaries. Among his works are Caddie (1976), Playing Beattie Bow (1986), Flipper (2005) and McLeod’s Daughters (2001). He has held leadership positions with the Australian Screen Directors Association and the Australian Writers’ Guild. In 2006 he was Head of Directing at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School.

This clip starts approximately 1 hour 1 minute into the feature.

We see a bulldozer pushing through rubble. Loud engine noise can be heard as Jessica and Elliot leave the car and begin to talk.
Jessica Simmonds How’s it going with the union?
Elliot You know when you ah … when you stick something in a dinosaur’s arse and it takes six weeks to feel it?
Jessica (laughs) I’ve never done it.
Elliot Haven’t you?
Jessica No!
Elliot Haven’t you really? (laughs) You try getting a new idea into the head of a union.

Jessica and Elliot approach the construction site.
Elliot If they get stroppy, don’t take any chances.
Jessica Go easy, will you?
Elliot (to the businessman) Excuse me!
As the businessman turns, Elliot takes a photo of him. Jessica is holding a tape recorder.
Businessman What do you want?
Elliot We’d like to know what you are doing on Angel Street.
Businessman (laughs) I’m earning my wages.
Elliot Oh … how?
Businessman I’m in real estate.
Elliot Oh really … who pays the wages?
Businessman My company.
Elliot Is that Wadham Development?
Businessman No comment.
The businessman shoves Elliot and walks away.
Jessica Shii…
Elliot Greenbelt.
Jessica Ah … crikey!
Elliot shouts to two more businessmen.
Elliot Good morning!
He takes a photo of them.
Elliot Nice day …
Jessica Elliot, are you married?
Elliot I’ve got a cat, a big one.
Elliot stops as he sees Mr Collins approaching.
Elliot You little beauty! We’re in luck.
Elliot fires questions at Collins as Jessica holds her tape recorder.
Elliot Good morning Mr Collins. Would you mind repeating into the tape recording what you said to me last night? These men working for you, are they? You’re a nightclub owner, is that it? What’s your connection with Wadham Development? Are you behind the intimidation? Are you making offers that residents can’t refuse?
Collins strides past them without making any comment.
Elliot We won’t stay for lunch.