Australian cinema is known for its innovative story and how it connects to the land and people there.
It's changed a lot over the years and continues to change even today, but today, we'll focus on Australia's older films, particularly those from before the 1990s.
| Film Title | Year | Genre | Director | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walkabout | 1971 | Adventure, Drama | Nicolas Roeg | Nominated for the Palme d’Or at Cannes. |
| The Cars That Ate Paris | 1974 | Horror, Comedy | Peter Weir | Cult classic, critically acclaimed for creativity. |
| Picnic at Hanging Rock | 1975 | Mystery, Drama | Peter Weir | Nominated for multiple BAFTAs, including Best Cinematography. |
| Storm Boy | 1976 | Family, Drama | Henri Safran | AFI Award for Best Cinematography. |
| The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith | 1978 | Drama, Societal Commentary | Fred Schepisi | Multiple AFI Awards, including Best Director. |
| Newsfront | 1978 | Drama, Historical | Phillip Noyce | AFI Award for Best Film and Best Director. |
| My Brilliant Career | 1979 | Historical Drama | Gillian Armstrong | BAFTA-nominated; acclaimed at Cannes for direction and performances. |
| Breaker Morant | 1980 | War, Courtroom Drama | Bruce Beresford | Nominated for Academy Award for Best Screenplay. |
| Gallipoli | 1981 | War, Historical Drama | Peter Weir | AFI Awards for Best Film and Best Director. |
| The Man from Snowy River | 1982 | Drama, Western | George T. Miller | AFI Award for Best Original Music Score. |
| The Year My Voice Broke | 1987 | Drama, Coming-of-Age | John Duigan | AFI Award for Best Film and Best Direction. |
If you believe we've missed any iconic classic Australian films, just let us know in the comments.
Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975)
Synopsis
A haunting mystery unfolds after a teacher and a group of schoolgirls disappear during a Valentine's Day picnic at Hanging Rock.
Cultural Context
This film was a significant milestone in Australian New Wave cinema. It combines a haunting tale, eerie landscapes, ambiguity, and myth, making a surreal and supernatural film that resonated with audiences in Australia and around the world.
The Australian New Wave helped put Australian cinema on the map in the 1970s and 1980s. Filmmakers used the country's raw and expansive landscapes to tell stories that often included Australian identity, social issues, and cultural heritage.
Why It's Recommended
In addition to a gripping story, Picnic at Hanging Rock inspired future filmmakers. The style, mood, and direction helped revive Australian cinema by blending mythology with psychological tension, making it one of Australia's best films.
The dreamlike cinematography uses soft-focus lenses, natural lighting, and eerie soundscapes, creating a supernatural atmosphere and setting a precedent for Australian New Wave films.
Gallipoli (1981)
Synopsis
During World War I, two sprinters join the army and experience the brutal realities of the Gallipoli campaign.
Cultural Context
This film, directed by Peter Weird, is both an anti-war film and a tribute to Australian soldiers. It explores the themes of friendship, loss, and sacrifice while capturing the ANZAC spirit.
Why It's Recommended
Gallipoli is a haunting film portraying Australian history with heavy emotional impact and visual storytelling. Without spoiling too much, the final scenes have a powerful anti-war message.
The film received critical acclaim for its storytelling and direction, and its message resonated with audiences and is regularly referenced at ANZAC day commemorations.
It features a young Mel Gibson, one of Australia's best actors, in one of his early roles.
My Brilliant Career (1979)
Synopsis
This is a coming-of-age story about Sybulla Melvyn, a young woman in rural Australia who dreams of breaking free from societal expectations.
Cultural Context
My Brilliant Career was adapted from a Miles Franklin novel and covers the themes of female empowerment and independence.
Its portrayal of a complex female protagonist was groundbreaking, helping establish Gillian Armstrong as one of Australia's finest directors.
Why It's Recommended
The film features strong performances and incredible cinematography, particularly of the Australian Outback. It's a feminist classic that's still relevant in today's discussions about gender and ambition.
Judy Davis' nuanced portrayal of Sybilla Melvyn helped cement her status as a talented actress.
In the spirit of feminism, don't forget about Australia's best actresses.
Walkabout (1971)
Synopsis
Two British children are stranded in the Outback. An Aboriginal boy helps them on a rite of passage known as a "walkabout".
Cultural Context
This film wonderfully portrays culture clashes, survival, and the vastness of the Australian landscape. It highlights the complex cultural fabric of Australia through contrasting Western and Indigenous worldviews.
Why It's Recommended
This memorable cinematic experience features a stark portrayal of the Australian Outback and a gripping survival story.
The Man from Snowy River (1982)
Synopsis
After losing his father, a young man must prove himself in the unforgiving Australian high country.
Cultural Context
The Man from Snowy River blends elements of Australian folklore with the Western genre. It highlights a rich part of Australian heritage, showcasing Australia's landscapes and the rugged life of mountain horsemen.
Why It's Recommended
Complete with great cinematography and horse-rising scenes, this film holds a special place in Australian popular culture.
Breaker Morant (1980)
Synopsis
During the Second Boer War, three Australian soldiers are court-martialled.
Cultural Context
Breaker Morant is a thought-provoking film based on true events that explore military ethics, nationalism, and the complexities of war.
Why It's Recommended
With powerful dialogue and gripping performances, Breaker Morant was praised for its historical significance.
The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith (1978)
Synopsis
To escape societal injustice, an Indigenous man turns to violence after facing relentless discrimination and exploitation. The titular Jimmy eventually reaches a breaking point with violent repercussions.
Cultural Context
This film, directed by Fred Schepisi and based on Thomas Keneally's novel, critically examines how Australia treats Indigenous people, highlighting issues of racism, identity, and colonisation.
Why It's Recommended
This powerful film with an unyielding social critique is still an essential piece of Australian cinema today.
Newsfront (1978)
Synopsis
A glimpse into the lives of Australian newsreel cameramen during the 1940s and 1950s.
Cultural Context
Newsfront explores the role of the media in society, covering the ethics of journalism and how it is impacted by major events.
Why It's Recommended
This film is famous for realistically portraying journalism and Australia's evolving national identity.
Storm Boy (1976)
Synopsis
In the remote Coorong region of South Australia, a young boy forms a special bond with a pelican named Mr. Percival.
Cultural Context
This heartwarming tale addresses environmental awareness and our connection to nature. It highlights the importance of nature, particularly in South Australia.
Why It's Recommended
Audiences of all ages can enjoy this one, and thanks to its gentle storytelling and scenic landscapes, it's still a popular film today.
The Cars That Ate Paris (1974)
Synopsis
Locals in a fictional Australian town cause car crashes to salvage the wreckage.
Cultural Context
This film, Peter Weir's debut, satirises rural communities and the darker side of small-town dynamics. It combines horror with black comedy and is a cult classic.
Why It's Recommended
The Cars That Ate Paris is an original blend of humour and horror and an early example of Peter Weir's talent as a director.
The Year My Voice Broke (1987)
Synopsis
A teenage boy experiences his first love and heartbreak in 1960s rural Australia.
Cultural Context
The Year My Voice Broke is a heartfelt film portraying youth, love, and the innocence of small-town Australia. It features a nostalgic view of 1960s Australia.
Why It's Recommended
A classic coming-of-age story, The Year My Voice Broke is recommended for its emotional depth and authenticity in portraying adolescence.
Learn More About Australian Cinema with a Private Tutor
Whether you'd like to make films, star in them, or learn more about them, you can learn the necessary skills with a private tutor.
On the Superprof website, there are talented tutors across Australia and around the world who can teach you about filmmaking, acting, or even the history of Australian cinema.
Many tutors offer the first session for free, so you can try before you pick the right tutor.
Just search for what you want to learn where you are, and don't worry if you can't find any local tutors. Many tutors also offer online tutoring and tend to charge less than their face-to-face counterparts since they don't have to travel.
For those on a really tight budget, group tutoring allows you to share the cost of a tutor's time and expertise with other students.
We recommend shortlisting potential candidates before arranging free sessions. You don't want to waste your time or theirs by getting lessons from unsuitable tutors.
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