KANGAROO

Australia, 1986, 108 minutes, Colour.
Judy Davis, Colin Friels, John Walton, Julie Nihill, Hugh Keays- Byrne, Peter Hehir, Peter Cummins, Tim Robertson.
Directed by Tim Burstall.

Kangaroo is a fine adaptation of D. H. Lawrence's autobiographical novel. At the time, some commentators thought that Lawrence had invented the story for the Diggers in Australia. Subsequent investigations indicate the existence of such groups and such a leader as Kangaroo.

The film offers an interesting portrait of Lawrence himself, focusing on his attitudes towards society, democracy and elitism as well as focusing on his reputation as a literary artist and his preoccupation about sexuality, male bonding. Colin Friels gives a very interesting and arresting performance as Richard Somers – too healthy-looking for Lawrence himself, but reminiscent of Alan Bates in Women in Love.

Judy Davis is excellent as Harriet his German wife, showing her versatility in portraying differing characters (from My Brilliant Career to Winter of Our Dreams to A Passage to India). John Walton is at times engaging as the fascist digger and Julie Nihill as his naive and winsome wife. Hugh Keays- Byrne has a difficult role in the fascist leader, Kangaroo. There are also excellent performances from Peter Hehir and Peter Cummins.

The film has the atmosphere of Australia in the I920s, uses reconstructed suburban houses in South Melbourne for authentic atmosphere and uses the scenery of the bush and the Australian coast to great effect. The film is interesting in its adaptation of Lawrence’s novel, in its portrayal of Lawrence and his wife and in their views on Australia and Australian issues of the 20s.

1. The impact of the film? As an adaptation of a Lawrence novel? As a portrait of Lawrence and his wife? literary background? Social questions, politics? Human relations, sexuality, masculine domination? Male bonding?

. The Cornwall locations and their atmosphere? The contrast with Sydney and its suburbs? The Australian bush? Coast? The use of locations, costumes and decor for a sense of period?

3. The quality of the adaptation of the novel? Its autobiographical nature? The portrait of Lawrence, ideas, background, issues? Lawrence in a new world? Hoping for a new worlds? The portrait of Freda Lawrence, her marriage?

4. Lawrence and his career, his family background, the mines, the Midlands, his literary success, controversy end the courts, his attitude towards World War One, his marriage? Family background, relationships, sexuality – and his comment about being a Puritan? Attitudes towards class and equality? His comment on people in Australia being better off than others but not feeling better than others? Elitism? Socialism and his disillusionment? Fascism? The Australian world, people, environment and his response? His insight into Australia?

5. An Australian story through British eyes, World War One, the 20s, suburban life, social difficulties, the unions, fascist armies and groups, the need for change? The possibilities of a new world? Kangaroo's comment about the age of the land but its not having any history? .

6. Harriet: Her reaction against them? Her ideas, love, support? The discussions about Richard's .idea of male supremacy and lordship-and-mastery? Her healthy scepticism? Her wandering the beaches, the bush? Her feeling closed out, especially after his visit to Kangaroo? Her own visit, listening to Kangaroo, disagreeing with him? Her comments on equality and elitism? Her continued inspiration of Richard? The sexual encounter on the beach? The aftermath with the philosophising about sexuality? Leaving Australia? As a person, character, her effect on Lawrence?

7. The portrait of Kangaroo: the aura about him? In himself, his military background, General, the diggers, his style? Views? Elitism, power, government? Anti-unions? Leadership and the presumption about himself? His espousing Richard? Reading his work, wanting his support and ideas? His previous marriage but his belief in the brotherhood of man? Comradeship? A man's world? the bonding with Richard, friendship, love, homosexual overtones? The interviews with Richard and Jack, the meals, the Chinese servant? His watching Somers from the camp? The war and its effect on Australian society, his views for change? Pride? The rejection by Richard? His making an emotional and political ultimatum? discussion with Harriet? His leading the riot, his being wounded? His dying, the visit of Richard, his demands for love? Final anger? Emotion, dependence, moods? The focus on the shadow side of humanity – and the reference to demons and devils?

8. Jack and Vicky and Australian neighbours? Vicky and her friendship, pleasant, naive, sensuous, winsome? Her attraction towards Richard? her thinking he would understand her? Her devotion to Jack? His treatment of her? The Australian woman, the stereotype? His reaction to her at the end after the rally? Jack and the war, the Victoria Cross, working in suburbia, the effect of Richard's presence, watching him, fate, friendship, reading his book, discussion, enthusiasm, the pledge, taking him to see Kangaroo, the militia, his pride, his disappointment in Richard, the riot and the counting in the rally, the experience of killing – the exhilaration? more than sexuality, and feeling like an angel? The police interrogation, Kangaroo's death and his anger at Richard not saying that he loved him? Spitting at him? The men, the experience of the war, the unionists and their processions' rallies, the diggers and jobs, anti-Left, the fight in the pub, the military training, the riots, swearing on the Bible, the violence?

9. The unions, their marches, Strothers and his ideas, speeches, vision, the paper, the riots and the violence?

10. Jaz and his friendship, loyalty to Kangaroo, changing attitudes, taking Richard to see Strothers, the end and his farewelling Richard and Harriet?

11. The ordinary Australians: the workers, the people at the pub, meetings, the rioters, the police?

12. Australian history: the experience of World War One, the 19th, century heritage, the environment, change, a new world, comparisons with the old world? 20s fascism and politics?

13. Australian spirit, Somers' comment on the lack of inner life, living on the fringe? Intelligence, passion, causes?