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The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith (1978)

| Biography, Crime, Drama | 22 June 1978 (Australia)
The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith Poster
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Jimmie Blacksmith, the son of an Aboriginal mother and a white father, falls victim to much racist abuse after marrying a white woman, and goes on a killing spree and finds himself on the run in the aftermath.

Director:

Fred Schepisi

Writers:

Fred Schepisi (screenplay), Thomas Keneally (novel)

Stars:

Tommy Lewis, Freddy Reynolds, Angela Punch McGregor | See full cast & crew »
Reviews
5 wins & 10 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tommy Lewis ... Jimmie Blacksmith
Freddy Reynolds Freddy Reynolds ... Mort Blacksmith
Ray Barrett ... Farrell
Jack Thompson ... Rev. Neville
Angela Punch McGregor Angela Punch McGregor ... Gilda Marshall (as Angela Punch)
Steve Dodd Steve Dodd ... Tabidgi (as Steve Dodds)
Peter Carroll ... McCready
Ruth Cracknell Ruth Cracknell ... Mrs. Heather Newby
Don Crosby Don Crosby ... Jack Newby
Elizabeth Alexander ... Petra Graf
Peter Sumner ... Dowie Steed
Tim Robertson ... Healey
Ray Meagher ... Dud Edmonds
Brian Anderson Brian Anderson ... Hyberry
Jane Harders Jane Harders ... Mrs. Healey
See full cast »
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Storyline

The true story of a part aboriginal man who finds the pressure of adapting to white culture intolerable, and as a result snaps in a violent and horrific manner. Written by <tgard@genauto.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

australian aborigine | fugitive | race relations | interracial couple | racism | See All (124) »

Taglines:

The chant of the underdog See more »

Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama | History

Certificate:

See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
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Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 June 1978 (Australia) See more »

Also Known As:

Die Ballade von Jimmie Blacksmith See more »

Filming Locations:

Armidale, New South Wales, Australia See more »
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Box Office

Budget:

AUD1,280,000 (estimated)
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Film House, Victorian Film See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The song 'The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith' sung by Australian rock band The Groovsemiths is also based on the 'The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith' story. See more »

Quotes

McCready: You can't say we haven't given you anything. We've introduced you to alcohol, religion.
Jimmie Blacksmith: Religion.
McCready: Influenza, measles, syphilis. School.
Jimmie Blacksmith: School.
McCready: A whole host of improvements.
See more »

Connections

Featured in Sneak Previews: The Idolmaker, The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith, Every Man for Himself, Fade to Black (1980) See more »

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User Reviews

 
Brilliant Macabre and violent drama
23 March 2005 | by thewholebrevitything – See all my reviews

Thomas Keneally's THE CHANT OF JIMMIE BLACKSMITH novel works on so many levels - a period piece, as a biting satire and as a wonderfully composed drama. This film of the same name attempts to capture the poignancy and strength of the original classic novel. It achieves this wonderfully. The film is excellently acted and the violence is both well shot and vibrantly enacted. The score is great too. Also the Australian landscape - not to mention its social underbelly, was never shot with as much insight.

An excellent starting point to understand such great Aussie films like the tracker and rabbit proof fence.

10/10
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