A Tale of the Australian Bush is a 1911 Australian silent film directed by Gaston Mervale. Set in colonial Australia, it was also known as Ben Hall, the Notorious Bushranger and is considered a lost film.
| A Tale of the Australian Bush | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Gaston Mervale |
| Written by | P. W. Marony |
| Starring | Godfrey Cass |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 2,500 feet[1] or 3,000 feet[2] |
| Country | Australia |
| Languages | Silent English intertitles |
Plot
editThe story of the bushranger Ben Hall, including his duel with Melville, last stand and death. A contemporary review said that "unlike the usual bushranging films, instead of glorifying the villainy of the criminals of the bush, recorded a triumph of the law over the lawless."[3]
Cast
edit- A.J. Patrick as Ben Hall
- Godfrey Cassas Melville
- Harry Beaumont as Gilbert
- James Martin as Keightley
- Gilbert Emery as chief of police
- Harrie Ireland as Mrs Keightley
- Isma Owe and Robbie Hall
- Louise Carbasse as Mrs Hall
Production
editIt was the first film from the production company Australian Life Biograph Company.[4]
Release
editThe film was first released in Sydney as Ben Hall, the Notorious Bushranger[5] before being screened nationally under the other title.
References
edit- ^ "Advertising". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 30 September 1911. p. 2. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
- ^ "Advertising". The Referee. Sydney: National Library of Australia. 22 May 1912. p. 16. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
- ^ "NEW BUSH PICTURE-STORY". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 18 March 1911. p. 9. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
- ^ Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper, Australian Film 1900–1977: A Guide to Feature Film Production, Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1998, p. 15.
- ^ "Advertising". The Barrier Miner. Broken Hill, NSW: National Library of Australia. 15 March 1911. p. 1. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
External links
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