The Club (1980)

Director:

Bruce Beresford

Writers:

David Williamson (play)
David Williamson (screenplay)

Release Date:

18 September 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Sport

Tagline:

In this club nobody plays by the rules.

Plot:

Boardroom and dressing-room intrigues spill on to the field at the Australian Rules football club. |

Plot Keywords:

Club | Boardroom | Football | Australian Rules Football | Sports Star

Awards:

5 nominations

Cast

Jack Thompson	...	Laurie Holden
Graham Kennedy	...	Ted Parker
Frank Wilson	...	Jock Riley
Harold Hopkins	...	Danny Rowe
John Howard	...	Geoff Hayward
Alan Cassell	...	Gerry
Maggie Doyle	...	Susy
Lou Richards	...	Commentator
Toni-Gay Shaw	...	Stripper
Jack Harris	...	First club official
Frank Raggatt	...	Second club official
Jim Cain	...	Third club official
Gary Files	...	Second football commentator
Ed Turley	...	Tony
Scot Palmer	...	Newspaper reporter 1

Also Known As:

David Williamson's The Club (Australia) (complete title)
Players

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Collingwood Football Club, Collingwood, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Company:

New South Wales Film Corp.

Trivia:

The plot of the film sees the Collingwood Football Club come from the bottom of the ladder early in the season to win the premiership in the grand final. In the year the film was made, the real Collingwood came from the bottom of the ladder early in the season to make the grand final... and lose it by a record margin.

Quotes:

Jock: With the team we'll have next year Jesus Christ would be flat out making the reserves!

Movie Connections:

Featured in Meet the Team: The Making of 'The Club' (2003) (V)

Aussie Classic

This is simply a great Aussie film. Unfortunately, films are just not made this way anymore. Not only is it a great satire about a football club, which has probably not changed in 30 years, it is also a wonderful commentary on the commercialization of sport. Comparisons to sport and war are easy after seeing this film. Great performances from Jack Thompson, John Howard and Graham Kennedy as well as cameos from a few of Australia's footballing legends. Bruce Beresford's direction is superb, the theme song became legend and the film is one hilarious argument. It gets better every time you watch it and if you haven't seen it yet, you have to see it soon.