We of the Never Never (1982)

Director:

Igor Auzins

Writers:

Mrs. Aeneas Gunn (book), Peter Schreck

Stars:

Angela Punch McGregor, Arthur Dignam, Martin Vaughan

1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Angela Punch McGregor	...	Jeannie Gunn
Arthur Dignam	...	Aeneas Gunn
Martin Vaughan	...	Dan
Lewis Fitz-Gerald	...	Jack
John Jarratt	...	Dandy
Tony Barry	...	Mac
Tommy Lewis	...	Jackaroo
Donald Blitner	...	Goggle Eye
Mawuyul Yanthalawuy	...	Rosie
Cecil Parkee	...	Cheon
Sibina Willy	...	Bett Bett
Tex Morton	...	Landlord
Kim Chiu Kok	...	Sam Lee
Brian Granrott	...	Neaves
Danny Adcock	...	Brown

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

river | thunder | sleeping | birdcall | train conductor | 

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Taglines:

The true story of Jeannie Gunn [UK Video]

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 November 1982 (Australia)

Also Known As:

De sterkes land

Filming Locations:

Katherine, Northern Territory, Australia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Adam Packer Film Productions, Film Corporation of Western Australia, General Television Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

134 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on the book of the same name by Jeannie (Mrs Aeneas) Gunn OBE (1870-1961). Although entitled "A Novel", the book, published in 1908, was really a recreation of actual events. The book became an Australian classic, and was used in schools, and translated into German.

User Reviews

"Once it gets its hooks in you, you'll Never Never want to leave."

We of the Never Never was a real surprise: sounding like one of a thousand other woman-making-her-way-on-the-frontier movies, albeit set in the Australian outback, it actually turns out to be a terrific piece of old-style epic film-making on a grand scale. The unexpected casting pays dividends: Angela Punch McGregor conveys just the right strength of character for someone simultaneously trying to fit in where she's not wanted and who is still open to what those around her have to offer, white or Aborigine, while Arthur Dignam's very unlikeliness as a cattle station manager works in his favour.

Gary Hansen's scope photography is truly breathtaking, and director Igor Auzin's mastery of the frame without losing sight of his characters is so impressive that you wonder why he only made one more feature. The 2.35:1 ratio is not just window dressing either: not only does it stress both the vastness and hard beauty of the place, but it also serves to highlight the marginalisation of the various characters by class, gender or race. Pretty terrific.