Black and White (2002)

Recreation of the landmark 1958 South Australian Court trial of young aboriginal Max Stuart.

Director:

Craig Lahiff

Writer:

Louis Nowra

Stars:

Robert Carlyle, Charles Dance, Kerry Fox

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Carlyle	...	David O'Sullivan
Charles Dance	...	Roderic Chamberlain
Kerry Fox	...	Helen Devaney
David Ngoombujarra	...	Young Max Stuart
Max Stuart	...	Old Max Stuart
Colin Friels	...	Father Tom Dixon
Ben Mendelsohn	...	Rupert Murdoch
Bille Brown	...	Thomas Playford
John Gregg	...	Rohan Rivett
Roy Billing	...	Det-Sgt Turner
Gary Waddell	...	Const. Jones
Patrick Duggin	...	Policeman #1
Andrew Martin	...	Policeman #2
Frank Gallacher	...	Justice Reed
Rhys McConnochie	...	Justice Abbott

Storyline

True story that created headline news in 1959. A young aboriginal man Max Stuart, was convicted of murder in the light of questionable evidence presented, of nine year old Mary Hattam near Ceduna, on the south coast of Australia. International News Media Baron, Rupert Murdoch (played by Ben Mendelsohn), then publisher of the Adelaide "News," became the driving force behind securing a re-trial for Stuart.

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Plot Keywords:

trial | prosecutor | judge | hearing | young version of character | 

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Taglines:

One man's conviction divided a nation

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Australia UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 October 2002 (Australia)

Filming Locations:

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Duo Art Productions, Scala Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Traditional Chant"
Performed by Max Stuart

User Reviews

Evocative recreation of 1960's Australian cultural confusion

Black and White captures the essence of South Australia in the 1960's. Parochial, racially insensitive, a stuffy English "aristocracy" and the overtones of the hidden menace in Adelaide, are all revealed in this movie. It is hard not to watch this film and not feel anger at the injustice of it all. The camera work was great and attention to detail, costumes and cars, was noticeable because it wasn't noticeable. Having a "big name" (Carlyle) to play the lead didn't add anything to the film. It was hard to feel any compassion for the lead character which, given the sacrifices and stress he endured, was disappointing. He felt detached and uninvolved. Outstanding performances by Nagoombujarra, Charles Dance and Colin Friels lifted this film where it might easily have lapsed into caricature and stereotype. The arrival of Rupert Murdoch into the scene was nicely underplayed and added an element of reality. Enjoyable, provocative and a slice of history. Well worth a watch.