Tim Burstall Movies
One of the best-known Australian filmmakers of the 1970s, producer/director Tim Burstall charmed filmgoers down under with such homespun comedies as Stork and Alvin Purple. Though he was credited as being one of the earliest filmmakers of the 1970s "Australian New Wave," Burstall later branched out into thriller territory, where his sharp skills for social satire seemed somewhat dulled, resulting in poor box-office returns and a gradual slowing of his productivity in the late '80s.A native of England who immigrated to Australia with his family at age nine, Burstall spent much of his early career working as a journalist and PR representative for the Australian government. A win at the 1960 Venice Film Festival for his early short The Prize found the aspiring director growing increasingly comfortable behind the camera, and in the following years, Burstall would hone his skills on documentaries and as a student assistant at UCLA with work on Martin Ritt's Hombre. In the late '60s, Burstall returned to Australia to helm the drama Two Thousand Weeks, an arthouse hit that quickly ignited the new wave despite critical evisceration. His subsequent comedy, Stork, was met with a bit more widespread enthusiasm, and when the bawdy sex comedy Alvin Purple hit the screens in 1973, audiences came in droves to witness the risqué antics of a nerdy but endearing loser who somehow becomes a sex symbol. Though such later departures as End Play and The Last of the Knucklemen were often cited as entertaining, competently produced films, audiences stayed away, and Burstall's career faded following his 1986 film Kangaroo (an adaptation of author D.H. Lawrence's novel of the same name). A handful of made-for-television features including Great Expectations, the Untold Story and Nightmare at Bitter Creek followed in the late '80s. In late April of 2004, Tim Burstall suffered a fatal stroke in Melbourne, Australia. He was 76. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
In this made-for-TV thriller, a quartet of female friends hire a boozy wilderness guide and head into the mountains for a little backpacking fun that is spoiled when they become the target of a militant survivalist group's war games. The film is also known as Bitter Creek. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1987
- R
When a bank robbery leads to the death of a police officer, Wyn (Simon Burke) and Slate (Martin Sacks) Jackson take witness Blanche McBride (Sigrid Thornton) hostage and attempt to evade capture. However, when the brothers begin to become enamored of their victim, their getaway becomes much more complicated. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sigrid Thornton, Simon Burke, (more)
- 1987
Budgeted at six million dollars -- a hefty sum for Australian television -- the six-hour miniseries Great Expectations: The Untold Story helpfully endeavored to plug the plot holes thoughtlessly left behind by Charles Dickens in his original novel. The emphasis was on the escaped convict Magwitch (John Stanton), who, after being helped out by the young Pip (Danny Simmons), was captured by the authorities and transported to Australia. There, Magwitch turned over a new leaf and went into business, building up a huge and profitable operation. Still grateful to Pip for past kindnesses, Magwitch bequeathed his entire fortune to the boy, and it was at this point that the miniseries' narrative ended and the original Dickens story line took over (albeit briefly). Representing a rare collaboration between writer/director Tim Burstall and his producer son, Tom Burstall, Great Expectations: The Untold Story was broadcast by Australia's ABC network in February of 1987. The project was subsequently released theatrically as a feature film, pared down to a more manageable length -- and eliminating an important subplot involving Pip's erstwhile lady friend, Estella (Anne Louise Lambert), in the process. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
- PG
Tim Burstall directed this adaptation of D.H. Lawrence's semi-autobiographical novel recalling his experiences in Australia in the early 1920s. The film, set at the height of World War I, begins at the English coastal home of writer Richard Somers (Colin Friels) and his German-born wife Harriet (Judy Davis). Since Somers is a conscientious objector and his wife is the nationality of the enemy, the British police pay him a visit. Somers is then drafted and undergoes a humiliating physical examination at the draft board. Seeing harassment in the air, Somers and his wife decide to leave England for the relative calm of Australia, where their neighbors are a pair of earthy suburbanites, Vicki (Julie Nihil) and Jack Calcott (John Walton). Jack, disillusioned by the war, has joined a fascist paramilitary group called the Diggers, led by a wealthy old general with the code name "Kangaroo" (Hugh Keays-Byrne). The Diggers want to stifle the emerging union movement in the country, and Kangaroo hopes to enlist Richard in the cause because "a country does not exist until it has found a voice." But Somers finds himself torn between opposing camps, since the Socialist trade unionists also want to utilize his writing skills for their own ends, looking for Somers to help them carry through "a partnership between poetry and power." ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Colin Friels, Judy Davis, (more)
- 1985
- R
Based on a novel by Morris West, this is a classic American cowboy tale set in Australia's exotic outback, with the Aborigines pitted against a rancher, Lance Dillon (John Stanton) because he is on their land. After a renegade Aborigine, Mundaru (Tommy Lewis), kills one of Lance's Brahma bull's and a ranch hand who gets involved, Mundaru spears the fleeing Lance in the shoulder but does not catch up with him to finish the job. The story of Lance's survival is the focus of the film, along with a parallel story of his wife, Mary (Rebecca Gilling), temporarily falling for Lance's opposite, Sgt. Neil Adams (Ivar Kants). The characters of the two men, and Mundaru, are contrasted against a setting of conflict that escalates out of control. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Stanton, Rebecca Gilling, (more)
- 1983
In this standard auto-racing-mixed-with-murder tale from Down Under, a gang steals and then strips cars to sell the parts for profit but meets their match when they literally run into Steve, a young racecar driver, and some tow-truck operators. From that point onward, mangled metal appears on the scene regularly, as Steve pursues his career as well as the people who caused his own father's disappearance. Steve has some help from his father's partner Tom (Max Cullen), and his two pit-stop mechanics (Bruce Spence and David Argue), but his love interest Ruth (Gia Carides) is only a token woman in a nearly all-male world. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Laurie, Gia Carides, (more)
Force Z is a crack Australian military corps during World War II. When a plane carrying a high-profile Japanese defector crash-lands somewhere in the South Pacific, it's up to Force Z to find it. Complicating matters is a traitor in the good guys' midst. John Philip Law heads the cast of Attack Force Z, but some video companies have bestowed top billing upon Mel Gibson, originally listed 3rd in the cast. The film also features an early leading peformance by Sam Neill. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Phillip Law, Mel Gibson, (more)
- 1982
When a Melbourne toy manufacturer discovers his wife is having an affair, he can't really get too distressed. After all, he's having an affair as well. However, when his mistress decides she wants to get married, his life becomes complicated and his business affairs have to be put on hold. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Wendy Hughes, Michael Pate, (more)
- 1981
Two-fisted Gerard Kennedy plays "Tarzan," the foreman of a central Australian mine who maintains his authority by virtue of his formidable fists. Michael Preston plays "Pansy," a boastful miner who irritates all of his co-workers, none more so than Tarzan. The foreman calls out Pansy, challenging him to a bare-knuckle boxing match. The climax finds virtually everyone in town gathering for this battle royale, with several bankrolls wagered on the surprising outcome. Based on a play by John Powers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gerard Kennedy, Michael Preston, (more)
- 1977
In this Australian action comedy, Texas and Alby (Joseph Bottoms and Grigor Taylor) mostly work as roustabouts at carnivals, but they are bored with the kind of work they do and take to the road together, looking for some fun and adventure. They are picked up in a beautiful green Corvette owned by a well-heeled man named Arnold (John Clayton). When Arnold starts putting the romantic moves on Alby, he and his buddy beat the driver up and steal his wallet and car. Once underway, they discover that the Corvette is full of drugs, and the wallet is full of money. They pick up Lynn (Judy Davis) a lovely and idealistic female hitchhiker, who brings out Tex's protective instincts. The duo's gift at seeking out trouble continues to provide them with adventures throughout the film. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joseph Bottoms, Greg Taylor, (more)
- 1976
The Australian Eliza Fraser tries for the wig-and-bodice bawdiness of Tom Jones. The title character, played by Susannah York, is an 18th century lass who is shipwrecked together with Trevor Howard on a remote Australian island. Her lively exploits among the refugees help to make Eliza famous--or rather, notorious--throughout the British empire. Once rescued, Eliza earns her keep at county fairs by regaling audiences with her own tales of her adventures. Tim Burstall both wrote and directed Eliza Fraser from an original screenplay by David Williamson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Castle, Abigail, (more)
- 1975
Several female hitchhikers have been murdered in a small Australian seacoast community. The principal suspects are brothers Robert and Mark Gifford (George Mallaby and John Waters). One is an apparently helpless paraplegic, but this doesn't necessarily mean that the filmmakers are going to cop out with the "least likely suspect" revelation. We do know, however, that each brother is covering up for the other. Director/writer Tim Burstall imbues this filming of Russell Braddon'snovel Endplay with his expected healthy vulgarity and leering voyeurism. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Mallaby, John Waters, (more)
- 1974
This Australian educational documentary concerns venereal disease in the pre-AIDS era and reveals that it is a problem that should be taken seriously by everyone -- whether young or old, gay or straight. Factual segments are interspersed with humorous skits depicting how people of varying degrees of innocence can contract awful but treatable diseases. Aptly, the initial release of this film was at Australian pornographic theaters. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Laurence, Ros Spiers, (more)
- 1974
Alvin Purple (Graeme Blundell), the lothario hero of the Australian low-budgeter Alvin Purple (1974), "rides again" in this slapped-together sequel. This time, Alvin has more to contend with than the requisite beautiful girls who find him irresistable. It seems that there's an American gangster around and about, "Balls" McGee (also played by Graeme Blundell), who's the spitting image of our hero. The predictability of the plotline is enlivened by the film's unending stream of vulgar sight gags and scatological dialogue. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
This comedy follows the exploits of Tony Petersen (Jack Thompson), a mature married man with two children who decides to go back to school for an undergraduate degree. Tony has one problem, which he probably feels is only a minor complication: he is like catnip for women. Luckily for him, he likes them back. Luckier still, his wife understands this. When things on the campus get dicey for a young woman, the incredible social skills of Petersen enable him to save the day. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Thompson, Jacki Weaver, (more)
- 1973
A hilarious sex romp about Alvin, an ordinary guy who works in a waterbed store in Australia. Remarkably, he is always pursued by over-sexed women, which constantly gets him into hot water. The film that created a market for Australian films worldwide. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Graeme Blundell, George Whaley, (more)
- 1973
Four Australian directors explore different angles of the title topic in this generally downbeat anthology. In "The Husband" a husband increases his arousal during lovemaking by imagining his wife in different sexual liaisons without realizing that his fantasy may based on fact. The second vignette "The Child" centers on the resentful son of a widow who is having an affair with another. While his mother is off galavanting with her new love, the boy is left in the care of a governess whom he grows to love. The poor boy begins to fear that his new friend will be fired as soon as his mother returns and so goes off on a walk to sort out his feelings. He wanders into a field and it is there he sees his governess making love to his mother's boyfriend. This causes the emotionally fragile lad to shatter and blindly run towards the river where he crazily hops into a boat and begins rowing into the current. The lover, wanting to save the child from harm dives in and tragedy ensues. In "The Priest," a priest wrestles with his love for a nun. Though they want to marry, the nun forces them to leave their orders in the correct way. It is a way filled with red-tape and takes so long that the relationship withers and they remain in their vocations. The final segment "The Family Man" deals with a slob of a husband who decides to celebrate the birth of his third child by having a little fling while his wife recuperates in hospital. He enlists the aid of a buddy and together they get drunk, pick up two floozies and head to his beachhouse. When the gals learn about his wife, they stomp out of the house. Time passes and the husband brings his family to the house for vacation. Much to his horror he finds that the two women have placed a large incriminating sign upon it leaving him to try to explain it all to his wife. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1971
In this off-beat comedy from Australia, a skinny, awkward fellow is troubled by his inability to hold a job and lose his virginity. He ends up moving in with three buddies and a free-spirited girl with whom each of the young men ends up in bed with. The trouble begins when the girl gets pregnant. Of course she doesn't know which fellow fathered the child. Still the girl gets married. Unfortunately, the skinny one causes all kinds of slapstick mayhem and ruins the ceremony. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Australian Mark McManus thinks that his relationship with girlfriend Jeannie Drynan is fairly solid. Indeed it is-until mutual friend David Turnbull spills the beans to McManus' wife Eileen Chapman. The resulting emotional turmoil makes McManus realize that he's more in love with Drynan than ever. As for Turnbull, he gets beaten up for his troubles. Director Tim Burstall cowrote the verbose screenplay of 2000 Weeks with the film's producer, Patrick Ryan. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mark McManus, Jeanie Drynan, (more)
