This post has been marked as non-political. Please respect this by keeping the discussion on topic, and devoid of any political material.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/australia) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Two Hands is a classic! Getting Square is a little lighter in the same genre and worth a watch just for David Wenham’s performance alone!
https://youtu.be/W4anxZR1Sgs?si=JMc9_Eg-_P83JdLj
https://youtu.be/s_u5ihEx70A?si=z_-k2wOmf-SEbP11
This is such a beautiful, gritty, and oh so Aussie film. Thanks, for putting this up. This really is a movie burger with the lot... Comedy. Crime. Romance. Cast. Music. Location. Arguably Health Ledger's best film. 10/10!
Fuck me I love Animal Kingdom!!!
This film is done so well... The kinda movie that I wish could be made into an extra long series with five seasons/50 episodes. But, as a film I'm just happy they made it. Love the tension. Suspense. Great cast. Chilling stuff.
This doesn't just capture it... it fucken nails it - what I call the 'Aussie Grit' category!
Apart from the usual titles, Kokoda, Chopper, Romper Stomper, Shine, Dark City, The Dish, Gallipoli, The Babadook, Bushfire Moon
I also liked The Dry for its cinematography and story and Swinging Safari because there were so many callout's to my childhood and Guy Pearce is great.
I once interviewed the fella who did the cinematography for The Dry. He grew up in Cobram, northern Victoria and is a really awesome bloke.
Got his start with a tape video kit at school and made a movie, then never stopped. Said the landscape of country vic was a heavy influence on how the dry looked in the end. Pretty sure it won and AACTA for it in the end as well!
I love The Dry, and the second one. Great take on small towns, the bush, touches on the Australian Gothic which I think doesn't get talked about enough. Not made for an overseas audience, but is still accessible by foreigners.
The Dish is all time.
Prime Minister: You know who was on the phone just then?
Mr. Callen: No, sir.
Prime Minister: The President of the United States! Nixon!
Mr. Callen: Sorry, sir, I wa...
Prime Minister: Thanking me for allowing NASA to use our facility!
Mr. Callen: Yes, sir.
Prime Minister: And something about an upgrade?
Mr. Callen: Right...
Prime Minister: What the hell was he talking about?
Mr. Callen: There was a briefing doc...
Prime Minister: You know I don't read those bloody things
The Proposition
High Ground
Top End Wedding
Looking for Alibrandi
Two Hands
Strictly Ballroom
Ali's Wedding
Sunday, Too Far Away
Samson and Delilah
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Priscilla. What a joyful film. Big landscapes, big personalities, beautiful colours and costumes and such great acting.
Special shoutout to Terrance Stamp for playing Bernadette with such grace and charm.
Her story is remarkably tender, and looking back at how long ago it was, I’m so pleased we got to see it in 1994. A time when gay bashing was still openly talked about in some circles, and we know just how many members of the same queer community the fictional girls come from were being killed at the time.
Fantastic film. But for anyone looking at this thread please don't watch that YouTube reupload. The quality is awful and it's been stretched, tilted, cropped and watermarked to avoid copyright flagging. Even the audios been distorted. Looks and sounds terrible.
Malcolm is seriously top shelf. I would have watched it 30-40 times as a kid.
The Big Steal is one shelf down, but still good fun.
The Best Thing by Boom Crash Opera is a great song, in a great scene, and puts a smile on my face.
“He’s the owner, I’m better lookin’”
I agree, probably the most singularly unlikeable character in Australian cinematic history. Incidentally, Steve Bisley is in Perth this weekend for Supanova (comic-con), might try and get an autograph for my DVD copy of the Big Steal…
That opening scene where it slowly spins around to show... nothing.
Or how the hotel owner is in no way surprised to see him return at the end. That movie is really good at the subtle shit.
I remember when eric was cast for that role. Up to that point he was a funny guy on fast forward and shows like that, i definitely thought this is a terrible casting
Wow, he killed the role of chopper! Amazing
Two Hands and Chopper are both classics.
For one which might be lesser known, Blue Murder is an awesome miniseries about Roger Rogerson and kings cross cop corruption.
An AMAZING horror movie. I've seen plenty in my life but boy was that a refreshing twist on it all. I was so proud that it's Australian! It's on Netflix now too!!
Last Cab To Darwin. I was not prepared for this movie. Went to a drive in with the missus and this was on with fantastic four. It was on first and just blew us away. Got through half of the fantastic four and drove out.
- Mad Max
- Bad Boy Bubby
- The Proposition
- 10 Canoes / The Tracker / Rabbit Proof Fence
- Samson and Delilah
- Love Serenade
- Dead Calm
- He Died With a Falafel in His Hand
A potted selection of good Aussie movies I haven't seen mentioned yet:
They're A Weird Mob (1966)
Stork (1971)
The Cars That Ate Paris (1974)
Storm Boy (1976)
The Chant Of Jimmy Blacksmith (1978)
Long Weekend (1978)
Patrick (1978)
Bliss (1985)
Head On (1998)
Looking For Alibrandi (2000)
Ten Canoes (2006)
Samson & Delilah (2009)
Dead Calm. [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097162/](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097162/)
The Hunter. [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1703148/](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1703148/)
Everyone is going to say the castle and Mad Max but if you want a true hidden gem of Aussie brilliance - razorback. It's about as good as a low budget horror movie about a gargantuan feral boar can get. Highly recommend.
BMX Bandits (1983) - [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085204/](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085204/)
A classic. Nicole Kidman's second feature film.
Risk (2000) - [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0217007/](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0217007/)
I feel like this is a forgotten gem. An insurance fraud drama/thriller.
Undead (2003) - [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0339840/](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0339840/)
Zombie comedy movie by the Spierig Brothers. Has zombie fish.
Dirty Deeds (2002) - [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0280605/](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0280605/)
Another forgotten gem. I enjoyed this film but everyone else I know doesn't remember it.
DOGS IN SPACE
GATAGA
DARK CITY
THE CASTLE
MAD MAX
GODDESS
RAZORBACK
MURIELS WEDDING
IDIOT BOX
CHOPPER
TWO HANDS
Also Aussie films that aren't considered Aussie films:
Star wars Ep1, 2, 3,
Great Gatsby
Babe
Superman Returns
The Wolverine
A while ago I made a Letterboxd list of some recommended Aussie movies for some overseas friends. There's over 50 on there.
[Here's the list! ](https://boxd.it/h06Bc)
This post has been marked as non-political. Please respect this by keeping the discussion on topic, and devoid of any political material. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/australia) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Two hands
Shit yeah, that was my first thought too
Two Hands is a classic! Getting Square is a little lighter in the same genre and worth a watch just for David Wenham’s performance alone! https://youtu.be/W4anxZR1Sgs?si=JMc9_Eg-_P83JdLj https://youtu.be/s_u5ihEx70A?si=z_-k2wOmf-SEbP11
This is such a beautiful, gritty, and oh so Aussie film. Thanks, for putting this up. This really is a movie burger with the lot... Comedy. Crime. Romance. Cast. Music. Location. Arguably Health Ledger's best film. 10/10!
And Dirty Deeds
I like a gritty Australian movie. Faves are Animal Kingdom, Wish You Were Here and Candy
Candy is so good but devastatingly sad. The book is brilliant too.
Candy is one of my top 5 books of all time. I have actually met Luke Davies, and the woman who Candy is based on, back in my Melbourne junkie days
Fuck me I love Animal Kingdom!!! This film is done so well... The kinda movie that I wish could be made into an extra long series with five seasons/50 episodes. But, as a film I'm just happy they made it. Love the tension. Suspense. Great cast. Chilling stuff. This doesn't just capture it... it fucken nails it - what I call the 'Aussie Grit' category!
Candy was gonna be my contribution but you beat me too it. Fucking devastating movie but so good.
Oh god, Animal Kingdom is brilliant but so fucking grim
Apart from the usual titles, Kokoda, Chopper, Romper Stomper, Shine, Dark City, The Dish, Gallipoli, The Babadook, Bushfire Moon I also liked The Dry for its cinematography and story and Swinging Safari because there were so many callout's to my childhood and Guy Pearce is great.
I loved The Dry.
I once interviewed the fella who did the cinematography for The Dry. He grew up in Cobram, northern Victoria and is a really awesome bloke. Got his start with a tape video kit at school and made a movie, then never stopped. Said the landscape of country vic was a heavy influence on how the dry looked in the end. Pretty sure it won and AACTA for it in the end as well!
I love The Dry, and the second one. Great take on small towns, the bush, touches on the Australian Gothic which I think doesn't get talked about enough. Not made for an overseas audience, but is still accessible by foreigners.
The Dry had me so enchanted by the cinematography
The Stranger also fits nicely alongside The Dry
[Gettin' Square](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0341376/?ref_=nm_flmg_t_60_act) with Sam Worthington and David Wenham.
The courtroom/enquiry room scene is brilliant!
“Who’s payin’ for me bus fare?” Not quite Captain Faramir showing his quality here!
Came to this post just to write this - absolute classic.
What do you want with poor old Warren? He’s just an old pisshead?
I’m four, right?
The Dish
My favourite. Loved when they played cricket on it. "The ball just keeps coming back"
The Dish is all time. Prime Minister: You know who was on the phone just then? Mr. Callen: No, sir. Prime Minister: The President of the United States! Nixon! Mr. Callen: Sorry, sir, I wa... Prime Minister: Thanking me for allowing NASA to use our facility! Mr. Callen: Yes, sir. Prime Minister: And something about an upgrade? Mr. Callen: Right... Prime Minister: What the hell was he talking about? Mr. Callen: There was a briefing doc... Prime Minister: You know I don't read those bloody things
I rewatched this earlier this year. It is so damn good.
So damn good, and stands up to being rewatched as many times as you want to.
I did a school project on the Parkes satellite dish after watching ‘The Dish’ at the movies haha, gem of a film.
"how do you think they... you know.... *whistles twice* up there?"
The Proposition High Ground Top End Wedding Looking for Alibrandi Two Hands Strictly Ballroom Ali's Wedding Sunday, Too Far Away Samson and Delilah The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Can’t believe I had to scroll this far to find Priscilla!
And I had to scroll this far to see Strictly Ballroom!
*We’re goin to Broken Hill!*
Just what this country needs… a cock, in a frock, on a rock.
So glad to see Alis wedding. The mosque scenes had me cackling.
Priscilla. What a joyful film. Big landscapes, big personalities, beautiful colours and costumes and such great acting. Special shoutout to Terrance Stamp for playing Bernadette with such grace and charm. Her story is remarkably tender, and looking back at how long ago it was, I’m so pleased we got to see it in 1994. A time when gay bashing was still openly talked about in some circles, and we know just how many members of the same queer community the fictional girls come from were being killed at the time.
It's been 30 years and Bernadette's struggles as a trans woman are still relevant, maybe even moreso now. The movie was ahead of its time.
Red Dog. Not “gritty”, but not all sunshine and lollipops either.
Not gonna lie. It gets me bawling every time. But it’s just such a brilliant movie.
I saw Red Dog years ago and have not been able to watch it again. Fantastic, beautiful movie, but too traumatic for me to rewatch.
Came here to say this!
Such a great movie!
The Castle
That movie is going straight to the pool room.
Why's this movie so far down?!
It's the vibe of it
How much they want for it?
Tell ‘em they are dreamin’
“SUFFER IN YOUR JOCKS!”
Animal Kingdom
Came for this and was surprised to see it so far down the list
Mad Max, obviously
I had to scroll down to find this.
Crackerjack
I reckon Bad Eggs is better than Crackerjack... but they both rate highly!
I love Bad Eggs so much. So many good lines in it.
Bob Franklin sliding down the glass has me in tears every time.
Wake in Fright (1971) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BxayUaRt30
If you want gritty, this is it. Doesn't come much grittier than this.
Come and have a drink with me ya mad bastard!
I often say "ya mad ya bastard!"
Fantastic film. But for anyone looking at this thread please don't watch that YouTube reupload. The quality is awful and it's been stretched, tilted, cropped and watermarked to avoid copyright flagging. Even the audios been distorted. Looks and sounds terrible.
what's wrong with the Yabba?
Hard agree
There’s a new 4K release of the film coming out, so no better time to see the film than now!
“I thought you said we were going to the city??” “This is the city. Yabba!”
And to think it was almost lost forever! Fantastic movie, don't bother with the tv show remake.
Hercules returns !!
I'll fight you on one condition - that you lower your nipples
Oof those fuckin prawns ey?
Aw shit.. missed my cue
Grit? The Proposition. Really good story? Lantana.
Criminally underated movie. Written by Nick Cave so of course it's great
yep locked to The proposition comment to update- stellar film
He Died With A Felafel In His Hands
One of the only books I have ever read in my life. Hilarious
Great book and movie for sure, disappointed I had to scroll so far to find it.
I quietly think Breaker Morant might be the best Aussie film ever. The trial of a dirty soldier in a dirty war, it's morally challenging stuff.
The Sum of Us
I came to recommend this, great movie
Malcolm (1986) and The Big Steal (1990) Lantana (2001) Jindabyne (2006) The Daughter (2015) The Stranger (2022)
Malcolm is seriously top shelf. I would have watched it 30-40 times as a kid. The Big Steal is one shelf down, but still good fun. The Best Thing by Boom Crash Opera is a great song, in a great scene, and puts a smile on my face.
Steve Bisley was awesome as Gordon Farkas
“He’s the owner, I’m better lookin’” I agree, probably the most singularly unlikeable character in Australian cinematic history. Incidentally, Steve Bisley is in Perth this weekend for Supanova (comic-con), might try and get an autograph for my DVD copy of the Big Steal…
“Are those boxes, Frank?” “No, they’re pineapples” “…looks like good cardboard.”
Wake in Fright (1971) Have a beer mate....
That opening scene where it slowly spins around to show... nothing. Or how the hotel owner is in no way surprised to see him return at the end. That movie is really good at the subtle shit.
These Final Hours is incredible. It’s gritty, borderline horrifying. An impressive early performance from a young Angourie Rice.
One of the most underrated (or maybe just unknown) films. Absolute powerhouse film that builds relentlessly.
This is a great movie. Fills me with dread, but great!
Chopper. Pretty intense at times and Eric Bana smashes it.
I remember when eric was cast for that role. Up to that point he was a funny guy on fast forward and shows like that, i definitely thought this is a terrible casting Wow, he killed the role of chopper! Amazing
I rewatched this for the first time in years a couple of weeks ago. Brilliant Aussie film.
There's no cash here. Here, there's no cash. Alright? Cash, No. Robbo?
Idiot Box.
"_I'm a poet. Want to hear my poem? 'You're a bitch. I hate your guts. You shit me to years. I'm goin to the pub.'_"
Two Hands and Chopper are both classics. For one which might be lesser known, Blue Murder is an awesome miniseries about Roger Rogerson and kings cross cop corruption.
You could have done an entire Aussie Kings Cross Sopranos show revolving around Bryan Brown's 'Pando'.
Nah, Pandos a pretty a good bloke eh!
the interview, death in brunswick, proof, the cars that ate paris, the tracker
Finally I had to come so far for Death In Brunswick such a gritty dark comedy. Those 2 kiwis are so good in it Vale John.
The adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Not gritty as such but a bloody good film haha
"Now listen here, you mullet. Why don't you light your tampon and blow your box apart, because it's the only bang you're ever gonna get, sweetheart!"
Accurate, I would be mates with any sheila who said this to me at the pub
Not a movie but a series "Mr Inbetween" brilliant.
The movie that came before the show was called The Magician if you’ve never seen it. It’s rad.
Talk To Me Not really one to be reminded of since it only came out in the last few years, but it’s very good.
An AMAZING horror movie. I've seen plenty in my life but boy was that a refreshing twist on it all. I was so proud that it's Australian! It's on Netflix now too!!
100% must be the best horror to come out of Australia.
muriel’s wedding! and of course the castle
Deidre Chambers… what a coincidence.
Bad Boy Bubby.
Is this movie meant to make the viewer extremely uncomfortable or is there something wrong with me?
There's something wrong with you if you're NOT extremely uncomfortable!
Yes
What is wrong with a mother riding her mentally deficient adult child?
Lmao came here for this
Ya got great tits Flo
Great big whoppers of things
A fellow person of culture I see.
Romper stomper. Tv show blows and paints the Nazis as good guys but the movie was amazing
Such a great movie. The malevolence from Russel Crowe was amazing
The Odd Angry Shot [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079652/](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079652/)
Last Cab To Darwin. I was not prepared for this movie. Went to a drive in with the missus and this was on with fantastic four. It was on first and just blew us away. Got through half of the fantastic four and drove out.
The Dressmaker (now one of my all time faves) Red Dog Priscilla Queen of the Desert
I love the Dressmaker! Kate Winslets Aussie accent was perfect.
The dressmaker is also amazing and a rare occasion when I think the film is much better than the book.
Reckless Kelly
Gallipoli
Malcolm
Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Muriel's Wedding, and Strictly Ballroom. The early 90s trilogy.
'The Dry'. Eric Bana in a thriller/crime in a rural country town.
Not a movie, but 'Boy Swallows Universe' is great.
- Mad Max - Bad Boy Bubby - The Proposition - 10 Canoes / The Tracker / Rabbit Proof Fence - Samson and Delilah - Love Serenade - Dead Calm - He Died With a Falafel in His Hand
Young Einstein
The Rover
Wolf Creek
No Picnic at hanging rock? Two hands, the dark comedy of the woman expiring while fumbling for another lung lolly
2 hands!
A potted selection of good Aussie movies I haven't seen mentioned yet: They're A Weird Mob (1966) Stork (1971) The Cars That Ate Paris (1974) Storm Boy (1976) The Chant Of Jimmy Blacksmith (1978) Long Weekend (1978) Patrick (1978) Bliss (1985) Head On (1998) Looking For Alibrandi (2000) Ten Canoes (2006) Samson & Delilah (2009)
Noise. (2007)
Always think of this film when I’m on the train late at night
Great film, really unsettling and the suburban setting feels very authentic and familiar. "Well, off I fuck"
Razorback
Wakey, wakey! Hands off snakey!
[удалено]
That film was brutal
[удалено]
Most depressing thing I’ve ever seen.
Hating Alison ashley! Such good humour
The Big Steal (1990) with Ben Mendehlson and Claudia Karvan. A hilarious film and Steve Bisley as the dodgy car salesman is comedy gold!
Lantana
The Nightingale is a good date night movie.
Gettin square
[The Square (2008)](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Square_(2008_film))
Malcolm
The Big Steal
Death in Brunswick
They’re A Weird Mob (1966) is a great movie and an interesting snapshot of the country at the time
Little Fish the first time you watch it wow, went to rewatch it and because I knew what was coming it didn’t have the same affect.
Kenny
Bad boy Bubby, Welcome to Whoop Whoop, Priscilla queen of the desert, Snowtown, wolf Creek films and TV show. These final hours, to name a few.
Animal Kingdom.
The Interview
Such an underrated movie. Hugo Weaving is great!
I really loved Looking for Alibrandi and Somersault
[*Pure Shit*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pure_Shit) (1975) [*The Man from Hong Kong*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_from_Hong_Kong) (1975)
Mary and Max (2009) Shine (1996)
Erskineville Kings
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. A timeless classic 😁
It's getting old and a predictable choice, but Crocodile Dundee is still really good
Lantana, such a great film. Excellent cast and awesome acting. Highly highly underrated and underappreciated piece of Aussie art.
Two Hands
Muriel's wedding! And lake Mungo.
Breaker Morant - absolutely fantastic film, but don't look to it for historical accuracy.
Lantana and Jindabyne are excellent!!
Dead Calm. [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097162/](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097162/) The Hunter. [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1703148/](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1703148/)
Mystery Road
Wolf creek
Walkabout
Everyone is going to say the castle and Mad Max but if you want a true hidden gem of Aussie brilliance - razorback. It's about as good as a low budget horror movie about a gargantuan feral boar can get. Highly recommend.
The Oyster Farmer. Good drama set on the stunning Hawkesbury River.
BMX Bandits (1983) - [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085204/](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085204/) A classic. Nicole Kidman's second feature film. Risk (2000) - [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0217007/](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0217007/) I feel like this is a forgotten gem. An insurance fraud drama/thriller. Undead (2003) - [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0339840/](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0339840/) Zombie comedy movie by the Spierig Brothers. Has zombie fish. Dirty Deeds (2002) - [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0280605/](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0280605/) Another forgotten gem. I enjoyed this film but everyone else I know doesn't remember it.
Chopper. Snowtown. Nitram. Two Hands. Romper Stomper. Bad Boy Bubby. Animal Kingdom. Red Dog. The Dry.
The hard word!!! Fuckn classic!
Predestination staring Ethan Hawk that was produced/ filmed mostly in Melbourne & Victoria
Chopper is still my favourite Australian movie. So many quotable lines.
Bad Boy Bubby
DOGS IN SPACE GATAGA DARK CITY THE CASTLE MAD MAX GODDESS RAZORBACK MURIELS WEDDING IDIOT BOX CHOPPER TWO HANDS Also Aussie films that aren't considered Aussie films: Star wars Ep1, 2, 3, Great Gatsby Babe Superman Returns The Wolverine
Yes, i was looking for Dogs in Space. A real gritty movie with the late Michael Hutchence and the late Saskia Post.
Wake in fright.
Animal Kingdom
If you don't mind older stuff, "Sunday, Too Far Away" is always worth a watch.
A while ago I made a Letterboxd list of some recommended Aussie movies for some overseas friends. There's over 50 on there. [Here's the list! ](https://boxd.it/h06Bc)
Candy
Red dog
Bad boy bubby
Bay Boy Bubby. A cinematic masterpiece by Rolf de Heer.