PLATYPUS COVE

Australia, 1986, 72 minutes, Colour.
Tony Barry, Carmen Duncan, Simone Buchanan, Paul Smith, Aileen Britton, Bill Kerr, Henry Szeps.
Directed by Peter Maxwell.

Platypus Cove is one of several family films made by Independent Productions in Sydney. Other films include Run Rebecca Run, Mystery at Castle House.

The screenplays are written with family audiences in mind. Peter Maxwell directed several of these films. They capitalise on Australian locations, Australian characters - even though the stories are often familiar or heightened melodramatically (sometimes with message point).

The films generally have excellent casts, this one in particular. Tony Barry is a solid central character, Bill Kerr does one of his character studies-and a group of youngsters led by Paul Smith (Fighting Back, The Henderson Kids, Fire in the Stone) is effective.

1. Family entertainment? The quality of the story, characterisations, action? Message about families, opportunities for youngsters, employment, crime, punishment?

2. The use of Sydney locations, the harbour, the suburbs, boats, chases? Atmospheric musical score?

3. The film as a Sydney story, focusing on family, youngsters, crime?

4. The picture of the Nelson family, life on the harbour? The Platypus and boats on the harbour? Frank and his relationship to his children, father, friend? The family situation, the need for a mother figure? Margaret accepted by the children? Frank as a help to Jim? His motives for helping him? Jim's relationship with the other children? The sabotage, Jim suspected? The other sailors? Handling the situations?

5. Jim and his background, tough, hard, his relationship with his grandmother, clashing with Jenny, becoming friends? The support of Frank? Work? Suspicion? The police, the villains? The chase and his being vindicated?

6. The character sketch of Gran, her support?

7. Margaret and Frank, the family, the romance, happy ending?

8. The old sailor and Bill Kerr's enjoyable characterisation? His work, friendship, wisdom?

9. The young sailor, the sabotage? Winston Bill and the plans, the clashes, pressures, the police?

10. The impact of the chase on the harbour?

11. The blend of comedy and adventure?

12. Popular and family values?