Cane Toads: An Unnatural History (1988)

Director:

Mark Lewis

Writer:

Mark Lewis (writer)

Release Date:

9 June 1988 (Australia)

Genre:

Documentary

Tagline:

The story of a bizarre biological blunder, warts and all!!

Plot:

A documentary detailing the spread of Hawaiian sugar-cane toads through Australia in a botched effort to introduce them as counter pests.

Plot Keywords:

Toad | Queensland | Hawaii | Wildlife | Imported Species

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award.

Cast

Tip Byrne	...	Himself - Cane farmer from Tully
H.W. Kerr	...	Himself - Director of the Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations, 1933-1943 (as Dr H.W. [Bill] Kerr)
Glen Ingram	...	Himself - Senior Curator Amphibia and Birds, Queensland Museum (as Dr Glen Ingram)
Bill Freeland	...	Himself - Wildlife Research Officer, Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory (as Dr Bill Freeland)
E.S. Edgerton	...	Himself - Former member Cane Pest Board
Pat White	...	Himself - Cane farmer from Gordonvale
John Oakes	...	Himself - Resident of Cairns
Patrick Cook	...	Himself - Social commentator
David Sondergard	...	Himself - Resident of Gordonvale
Rob Floyd	...	Himself - Animal ecologist (as Dr Rob Floyd)
Elvie Grieg	...	Herself - Resident of Redcliffe
Max Ackland	...	Himself - Mulgrave Shire Council (as Councillor Max Ackland)
Brian Hawke	...	Himself - Binding conservator, National Library
Bob Endean	...	Himself - Associate Professor of Zoology, Queensland University (as Dr Bob Endean)
Dr. Michael Archer	...	Himself - Associate Professor of Zoology, University of N.S.W.

Runtime:

USA:47 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Cairns, Queensland, Australia

Company:

Film Australia

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Minus Man (1999)

Soundtrack:

Warts N All

Humorous and fascinating!

I would have to say it was the cover of the movie case that prompted me to rent this little gem. After watching the first 10 minutes I was drawn in by the interesting history of Australia and the cane toad. 20 minutes later I was completely hooked with the crazy and sometimes grizzled nature of the Australian residents appearing in the film.

Then what started as a semi-National Geographic became a sort of weird comedy as the toad starts killing off other wildlife. One scene alone should be enough for any true fan of Godzilla-like movies with giant beasts as they show the cane toad consume a mouse! Beautiful. If you only see on or two humorous documentaries in your life, make sure this is one!