CLIFFY

Australia, 2013, 92 minutes, Colour.
Kevin Harrington, Roy Billing, Krew Boylan, Martin Sacks, Anne Tenney, Joan Sydney, Gyton Grantley, Stephen Curry, Denise Roberts.
Directed by Dean Murphy.

For audiences who remember Cliff Young, the farmer who won the marathon run from Sydney to Melbourne in 1983 (in the spirit of Australia winning the America’s Cup and Prime Minister Bob Hawke’s enthusiasm for both), this is an engaging re-creation of the event as well as giving background to Cliff Young as a person, as a farmer, his family, his ability to run, his being coached for the event.

Kevin Harrington is believable as Cliff Young, seen working on his farm, his relationship with his family, living with his mother and supporting her despite her moods in criticising him. At times he will run from his farm down to Apollo Bay and back, with a characteristic shuffle the people laughed at, criticised, but eventually came to recognise and admire – with information that many runners have adopted this shuffle for their own running engagements. Roy Billing, always an entertaining presence, appears as his old coach, Wally.

Given the difficulties on the farm, and Cliff’s admiring of such runners as Tony Rafferty, it seems a good idea to him, not always to his family, that he should enrol for the race. The promoter, Gyton Grantley, is rather mocking but has to change his tune as the race goes on, Cliff continuing to shuffle, despite the injuries to his feet, but with the support of the family following in a car car and caravan.

Gradually, the media make something of a hero of the man that they had initially mocked and cover his running for the whole race, his arrival in Melbourne in the early hours of the morning.

Cliff is encouraged by the young woman that he meets and runs with, phoning her during the race, listening to advice – and then, ultimately marrying her, even though the marriage did not last.

An entertaining piece of Australiana.

1. An Australian story? Characters? Situations? Spirit?

2. The true story, 1983, Cliff himself, his family, age, farm work, running, and admiring runners, selecting Wally as his coach, the decision to run? The difficulties, his being accepted? The man and his achievement?

3. Re-creation of the period, the 1980s, 1983, the background of the America’s Cup, the television clip from Bob Hawke? Look the times? The musical score, songs?

4. Victoria, Colac, the farms, the coast, the crops, the potatoes? Cliffy living with his mother, her age and care for her? Sid, his family, support? The family meals, the discussions, the participation of the family in backing up Cliffy, their shared achievement despite the difficulties?

5. Cliff and his shuffle, aged 61, 70 kilometre runs to the coast, his running in the paddocks? Meeting Mary, her sharing in his runs? His attraction to her?

6. Cliff is a person, single, waiting for the right girl, the attraction to Mary, falling in love? His phone Call to her during the race? Her recommending music? Her support and that inspiring him? The scenes of the wedding, the five years together, amicable parting?

7. Wally, growing up with Cliff, the clashes, Cliff not going to Wally’s wife’s funeral? The visit, slamming the door? Wally being persuaded? His limited background with footballers? Coaching Cliffy, the exercises, the runs, timing him? Getting ready for the race?

8. The response of the family? Wary? His mother and her concern? Sid and his encouragement? Sid’s wife and her going with Paul, the caravan, the car, the backup?

9. Going to Sydney, the attempt to register, the manager and his not wanting his not wanting to be laughed at? Cliffy going back, the persuasion? The social, meeting people?

10. The background of Tony Rafferty, his marathon runs, expectations, the other celebrities of the time? Their participation in the race? Overtaking Rafferty? Rafferty and his comments about his initial impression, tribute to Cliff?

11. The details of the run, the shuffle, slow going, awkward at the start? Gaining momentum, staying overnight, getting up early, the runs, gradually overtaking people?

12. The television coverage, more and more people interested, lining the way, cheering him on?

13. The progress of the race, sares, his feet, superglue? The manager and his change of mind? Cliff becoming something of a national hero?

14. Almost giving up, Wally’s encouragement, the family? The phone Call to Mary? Continuing to Melbourne, arriving at 2.30 in the morning, people cheering, the media?

15. The achievement, the receptions, television interviews, his basic responses, the touch of the naive?

16. An underdog story, in the Australian spirit, perseverance, Australians’ love of sport and cheering him on?