Robert Bruning Movies
- 2006
Director Alec Morgan fuses elements of documentary and dramatic biography in this tribute to a wily pioneer of the Australian cinema. In the 1930's, as Australia was locked in an economic depression, the nation's film industry was on the verge of collapse as American interests purchased most major theater chains and bought out independent producers. However, Rupert Kathner was a passionate believer in the notion of Australian movies for Australians, and he was determined to make films for the home audience. Kathner, however, had little skill as a filmmaker, and his criminal record as a confidence man made it difficult to obtain financing through normal channels. Kathner wasn't about to let such things stop him, though; with his longtime girlfriend and cinematographer Alma Brooks, Kathner chased down "angels" (his name for investors) with grand tales of his future productions, and he wasn't above writing a bad check to keep his show on the road, or firing an actor foolish enough to insist on being paid. While Kathner made as many enemies as friends and earned little if any critical respect for his low-budget potboilers, he managed to write, produce and direct a handful of independent features in Australia before his death in 1954. Hunt Angels combines vintage footage of Kathner at work, rare still photos, and interviews featuring his friends and associates alongside staged sequences featuring Ben Mendelsohn as Kathner and Victoria Hill as Brooks. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1986
- PG
In a slow-moving drama that is not likely to gain many adherents in this age of increasing environmental concerns, Steve (Jon Blake) is a forest ranger who is caught at the heart of a battle between devious conservationists (and their hand-maidens in the socialist government) on the one hand, and honest, hard-driving cattlemen on the other. Steve's love interest, Joanna (Lisa Armytage) complicates matters since her family comes down hard on one side of this debate. Predictable and cliched, this is not at all in the same class as director George Miller's first great hit, The Man from Snowy River. (This Aussie George Miller is not to be confused with his compatriot, the former physician turned director who struck gold with his Mad Max series.) ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Blake, Lisa Armytage, (more)
- 1983
This charming love story set in the 1950s brings together an older, crafty man, a somewhat innocent young man, and a former call girl with a pure heart in an unconventional menage à trois. When the two men come into an outback town they make the acquaintance of Joycie (Lorna Lesley) who has just been fired from her job and has no place to stay. The men invite her to live with them in their shack on the outskirts of town -- and while the three are happy together, a few puritanical (and some hypocritical) townspeople start to be more and more vocal in their opposition to the trio. Their intent is to make it too hot for the threesome to even consider staying in the vicinity. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bill Kerr, John Jarratt, (more)
When Angela (Sigrid Thornton) becomes successful, the former hairdresser's assistant has to deal with the reactions of her old friends to her new situation. She also must deal with romantic advances from an older woman. Nonetheless, she is plucky and confident enough to manage. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chantal Contouri, Sigrid Thornton, (more)
- 1976
A group of vacationers head to the beach. Circumstances dictate that they spend the night in a deserted beach house. It soon becomes clear that they've been imprisoned by person or persons unknown. Then an unknown mad killer begins picking off the vacationers, one by one. Yes, you've guessed it: the only survivor is a beautiful young girl....maybe. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Two women attempt to survive the stalking of a killer in an apartment building. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1974
Director Ken Hamman's breakthrough historical drama was the first Australian film of the 1970s to gain international acclaim, paving the way for the Australian New Wave and the success of movies such as The Last Wave and Breaker Morant. Sunday Too Far Away is a story about the struggles of itinerant sheep shearers in the Outback in the 1950s. Jack Thompson won an Australian Best Actor prize for his role as Foley, a hard-drinking, hard-working shearer who is the best at his profession. When local landowners try to drive away the sheep herders, Foley leads a strike to establish their right to exist and live off the land. The dispute turns violent as the landowners retaliate, and Foley struggles to maintain his supremacy. Many scenes were shot in the same shearing barn used in the 1960 British-Australian hit The Sundowners, which was about an Irish sheepherder who emigrates to Australia. The title comes from a traditional song of complaint sung by sheep shearers' wives. The film became a sensation at the Cannes Film Festival. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Thompson, Max Cullen, (more)
Ned Kelly (Mick Jagger) is the legendary outlaw of the Australian outback sought by authorities for stealing horses. At age 20, Ned has already served a three-year prison term at hard labor. When Ned's mother (Clarissa Kaye) is arrested and jailed on a bogus murder charge, Ned offers to surrender in exchange for his mother's freedom. When the authorities refuse, the Kelly brothers go on a robbing rampage. Cornered by the law in a saloon, Ned's brothers commit suicide rather than be taken alive. Shel Silverstein wrote the music performed by Waylon Jennings, Jagger and Glen Tomasetti. Australian folk songs are also included in this story taken from a popular 19th-century ballad. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Allan, Claire Balmford, (more)
