Monday, 3 October 2011

Knives, Pyramids and Australian Cinema



Australian cinema has had some highs, some lows and things that are incredibly... bad.

Sure, the proliferation of crap on the silver screen produced by the land down under is not at the same (catastrophic) rates as in America, but we do produce some whoppers (or is that a burger with the lot in Australia?)

Some of my favourite moments in Australian cinema are oldies, but goodies, including what I consider to be a classic. The moment in question is the scene when Mick “Croc” Dundee (Paul Hogan) proclaims to thugs that their knife is no match for his outback weaponry (“THAT’S a knife!”)

It was a moment constantly quote and rightly so, for it had humour and irony, a class of culture that made it ever so etched in the Australian film buff’s mind.

Another moment, perhaps a little more sober than the former is in the Peter Weir film, Gallipoli (1981) that starred a dashing Mel Gibson and Mark Lee. The scene in question was the one when Gibson and Lee climb the pyramid together, assisting one another in a poignant show of support, to illustrate camaraderie between soldiers in times of war. But it too shows stunning visuals. Thus, an iconic scene in Australian cinema.

And a third, and final moment from Australian cinema as iconic to this great land as a kangaroo or a koala is, I give you one (fictional) last name; Kerrigan. The Castle (1997) idealises the home, that for every man, his home is his castle. His film has plenty of zingers including the all time favourite “tell him he’s dreaming” often, the last word is used the most, and how do I know this? the Daily Red is a prolific user of it, that’s why!

What are your favourite or iconic moments of Australian Cinema? Love to hear from you all, so sound off in the comments below! 

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