Jedda the Uncivilized (1955) Jedda (original title)

Director:

Charles Chauvel

Writers:

Charles Chauvel
Elsa Chauvel

Release Date:

27 February 1957 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

It was DEATH for him to look on this Girl !

Plot Keywords:

Australia

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Ngarla Kunoth	...	Jedda
Robert Tudawali	...	Marbuck
Betty Suttor	...	Sarah McMann
Paul Reynall	...	Joe
George Simpson-Lyttle	...	Douglas McMann
Tas Fitzer	...	Peter Wallis
Wason Byers	...	Felix Romeo
Willie Farrar	...	Little Joe
Margaret Dingle	...	Little Jedda
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Nosepeg

Directed by
Charles Chauvel

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Charles Chauvel
Elsa Chauvel

Produced by
Charles Chauvel	....	producer

Original Music by
Isador Goodman

Cinematography by
Carl Kayser

Film Editing by
Pam Bosworth
Alex Ezard
Jack Gardiner

Sound Department
Arthur Browne	....	sound
Peter Davies	....	dubbing mixer

Production Companies

• Charles Chauvel Productions

Distributors

• Distributors Corporation of America (DCA) (1957) (USA) (theatrical)

Also Known As:

"Jedda" - Australia (original title)

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Gevacolor)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Sweden:15 | Australia:G

Filming Locations:

Australia

Company:

Charles Chauvel Productions

Trivia:

Two terms are used indicating Aboriginal spells or magic rituals - 'sing him to death' and 'point bone at me'. These were rituals used by Aboriginals to rid themselves of an enemy. No actual physical harm is done to the enemy who may die from stress, fear, or the power of suggestion.

Goofs:

Continuity: The positions of the blocks and the rolling pin on the table change when Jedda makes the animal tracks in the dough.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Australia (2008)

A fascinating story leaves vivid memories over 45 years later.

In 1955 when I was 14 years old, my mother and I emigrated to Australia. I went to 8th grade just outside Sydney -- Cremorne Girls High School. The opening of "Jedda" the first Australian color feature film was a very big deal there. In fact the opening of any film was a pretty big deal there, entailing reservations and dressing up.

In "Jedda," the title character, an aboriginal girl is brought up by a white family that adopts her. As a young woman, she is mysteriously drawn to go "Walkabout" as people of her tribe have for hundreds of years.

It must have been a good year for films. "Rock Around the Clock" heralded the dawn of rock 'n roll and "Black Board Jungle" launched the career of Sidney Poitier in a tale of urban classroom violence. "Rebel Without a Cause" came out in 1955 too. I can't remember what films I saw in any particular year before or since more vividly than these. Among those classics, the now unknown "Jedda" stands out with lasting images of a beautiful aboriginal woman, stunning countryside and the residue of an emotional wallop that keeps me thinking and wishing I could see it again over 45 years later.