ROBBERY UNDER ARMS

Australia, 1957, 104 minutes, Colour.
Peter Finch, Ronald Lewis, Maureen Swanson, David Mc Callum, Laurence Naismith, Jill Ireland, Jean Anderson, Vincent Ball.
Directed by Jack Lee.

Robbery Under Arms is an interesting and enjoyable version of Rolf Boldrewood's classic novel of last century. It was directed by Jack Lee who had directed Peter Finch in A Town Like Alice. Since there was no real Australian industry in the 50's this film is a British production. It is not entirely improper for a British cast to play the roles, since they portray emigrants. It is interesting to compare this 50's production with a film like Mad Dog Morgan of the 70's.

1 The film is based on an Australian classic. Audience expectations of the treatment of this story? How classic is the film? Its treatment of the book?

2, The film as an example of filming in the fifties? Its strengths and weaknesses? The comparison with later Australian film making and the re-make?

3. The appeal of Australian history for audiences? Understanding the past, the influences, the characters, the land? How well did the film fulfil this?

4. The creation of Australian atmosphere and the world of the 19th century: the use of colour, the use of photography for the bush and the landscapes, the emphasis on cattle, the picturing of the hide-outs, the 19th century cities and their markets, the people in these landscapes and cities, home life, the gold, the world of the police and justice? are audiences interested in this Australian atmosphere?

5. The British atmosphere of Australia in the 19th century, (the appropriateness of British actors playing the part of British migrants)? What characterised the Australian 19th century? As a colony, migrant, ex-convicts? The building up of a city, the building up of a country? Industry and cattle? Distances and distance from England?

6. The importance of the convict background, ex-convicts and their revenge against the police? How much justice on their side? Old Marston in this context?

7. The portrayal of the bushranger era and rustlers? As criminal, Starlight as the main example? What motivated him? His techniques for robbery, for survival? Was he an admirable person? How heroic were these, criminals? How much did they become part of legend?

8. The stance of old Marston as an ex-convict, as bringing up a family, his links with Starlight and his power over his sons, his revenge on the law, the hard life for his wife, the brutality of his death? A typical Australian character of the 19th century.

9. The importance of portraying the sons of the next generation? Their home life and background, their work as shearers. Their love for their father and mother, loyalty, Their choices in going with their father? Their work with the cattle, an atmosphere of adventure, despite the crime? The impact of money, seeing the cities?

10. The film's contrasting of Dick and Jim? Where did audience sympathies lie? Their relationship to their father, their differing attitudes to their criminal activities? Their contrast in loving? The hard match between Dick and Kate? Jim and his tenderness towards the girl that he loved?

ll. The portrayal of women in the film? Their differing roles in supporting the men? Their hard lives? Mrs Marston, Grace, Kate, Jim's wife?

12. The contrast between Kate and Jim's wife as portrayed on the ship? Jim's love and his marrying? The more turbulent relationship between Dick and Kate? The capacity for Jealousy? Kate's impulsiveness and her betrayal of Jim?

13. The importance of the Christmas raid? The interruption into family life, the violence and the escape? The way of life in the hideout? Satisfaction with this way of life?

14. The contract of the old town with cattle rustling? The robbing of the stagecoach? The robbing of the bank? The easy leap to violence in the shooting of the mother and child?

15. Dick's death, the impact of the siege, Marston's death, Starlight? Jim's giving himself up?

16. What important themes in terms of Australian heritage and history were explored? The atmosphere of the 19th century, Australian people, attitudes hard work, pioneering, law and order, justice?