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Waterfront – Episode 1 (1984)

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The docklands

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

Clip description

Max (Jack Thompson) and his wharfie mates set off in the early morning to work on the docks. Along the way, we’re introduced to their world as working men with wives and children, lovers and mothers. When the wharfies arrive at work, they find the gates locked and barred against them. It’s a lockout.

Curator’s notes

by Janet Bell

A fascinating moment in the history of Australia, played by some of Australia’s great actors during the burgeoning film and television drama years of the 1980s. Jack Thompson, Noni Hazlehurst and Greta Scacchi have all continued to make terrific films and television series over the years since, but there’s something really sparkling about how they play off each other in this timeless miniseries. It’s a combination of great performances, tight direction and a terrific script.

Mac Gudgeon knew about the world of the wharfies because he’d worked on the wharves while on the run as a draft resister in the late 1960s. He’d had to keep moving about the country and one of the few places where he could work with no questions asked was the waterfront. The wharfies told him stories about the 1928 strike and he carried the idea of a film around in his head for a decade. He finally returned from the States to write it as a feature film when he heard that the Australian film and television industry was taking off. It was his first script.

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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:

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  • You may embed the clip for non-commercial educational purposes including for use on a school intranet site or a school resource catalogue.
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