Travelling North (1987)

After their late-life marriage, a middle-aged Australian couple move to the countryside. Their life and tempestuous marriage is detailed.

Director:

Carl Schultz

Writers:

David Williamson (screenplay), David Williamson (play)

Stars:

Leo McKern, Julia Blake, Henri Szeps

5 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Leo McKern	...	Frank
Julia Blake	...	Frances
Henri Szeps	...	Saul
Michele Fawdon	...	Helen
Diane Craig	...	Sophie
Andrea Moor	...	Joan
Drew Forsythe	...	Martin
John Gregg	...	Jim
Graham Kennedy	...	Freddie
Rob Steele	...	Syd
John Black	...	Alan
Roger Oakley	...	Stan
Joe MacColum	...	Boat Owner
Nick Holland	...	Waiter
Steve Shaw	...	Estate Agent

Storyline

After their late-life marriage, a middle-aged Australian couple move to the countryside. Their life and tempestuous marriage is detailed.

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Plot Keywords:

australia | based on play | independent film | 

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Taglines:

A story by David Williamson

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

Third and final appearance by Graham Kennedy in a theatrical feature film which was an adaptation of a play by David Williamson. The first and second films were Don's Party (1976) and The Club (1980), both directed by Bruce Beresford.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Big Business/A Taxing Woman/The Presidio/Bull Durham/Travelling North (1988)

User Reviews

Leo McKern stars in his Native country...

Us Brits tend to know Mc Kern mainly in the long-running (1978-92) Rumpole of the Bailey, but he played all-sorts, starting out in 1951, from Classics (Man For All Seasons) to comedy but it took until this film in 1987 for him to star in his native Australia for the very first time.

In David Williamson's adaptation of his own hit play, he extends retired civil engineer Frank's (Mc Kern) new relationship with the younger Frances (Julia Blake) out into a wider world and into the film's title, where he starts a new life in Queensland and away from his home-town of Melbourne.

Ignore the rather gooey DVD image, this movie has substance; this may well be a comedy (quite a fine one) and have elements of romance, but it isn't a schmaltzy weepy. Frank is a speak-as-he-thinks communist who is prone to rubbing folk up the wrong way. A medical check-up reveals he is suffering from angina and this brings out the best and very worst in dear, crusty Frank.

Frank likes his fishing and there are quite a few beautiful landscapes, often with him fishing! These help set the tone and the reasons why the upheaval of moving home proved irresistible. They also help smooth out the fractious moods that Frank conjures up, allowing for a well-rounded film. There's also a great, lively classical music soundtrack which is always fitting to the scene.

We all know the Frank's in this world, whether in the family or as neighbours. His sardonic put-downs often back-fire and his scrambles back up the slippery slopes of retribution are both enjoyable and clever. Somehow though, we do feel that there is a softer heart beating in there all along and this makes for a great film and Frank very believable. Both his frustrated doctor, Saul (Henri Szeps) and local, Freddy (Graham Kennedy) become firm friends with the couple and feature as sparring partners to his arguments.

I watched Travelling North as part of the 12 DVD boxed set 'Australian Cinema vol 1.'

Details

Country:

Australia Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 June 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

Travelling Man

Filming Locations:

Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Box Office

Gross USA:

$214,722

Company Credits

Production Co:

Queensland Film Corporation, View Films, The Australian Film Commission

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1