Curator's Cut: The Overlanders

In 1942 the Japanese army is thrusting south and Australia fears an invasion. A ‘scorched earth’ strategy is implemented and the great herds of the northern are under threat. Dan McAlpine (Chips Rafferty) vows to save the herds. He puts together a rag-tag droving team that do the impossible – they drive thousands of livestock from Wyndham in the Kimberley across the Northern Territory’s outback to the east coast of Australia – a journey of 3,000 kilometres. The Overlanders is the story of that epic cattle drive.

The Overlanders was produced by Harry Watt, Ealing Studios’ legendary documentary film-maker, and starred Australia’s own Chips Rafferty and new-comer Daphne Campbell. Osmond Borradaile was responsible for the film’s panoramic cinematography, matched only by composer John Ireland’s soaring musical score. The Overlanders was an ambitious film project, produced at a time when Australia was recovering from the trauma of global conflict.
 

This film screening is part of the Northern Territory Library’s Curator’s Cut film series, screening rare films from the Library collection.

This event is held at the Northern Territory Library inside Parliament House, 4 Bennett St, Darwin. Seating from 5:15pm for a 5:30pm start.

Photo: Daphne Campbell, heroine of the film The Overlanders, on horseback. Joseph M. Ruddick Collection. PH0336/0020