'This film documents the re-enactment of the Gurindji Walkout from the Vestey's cattle station at Wave Hill in 1966, and their subsequent setting up of a permanent community at Wattie Creek. Following this they filed a suit for the return of their traditional land. Throughout the film Gurindji leader, Vincent Lingiari, and Frank Hardy talk on the progress (or lack thereof) of the Gurindji people's ongoing campaign for land rights. The film contains a restricted sequence of ceremonial enactment at a Gurindji rock art site. The Unlucky Australians was screened on television in Britain in 1973, though it was never broadcast in Australia. Although Hardy and others took copies of the film to the Gurindji themselves (screening it on the side of a truck) in the heated political climate of the 1970s a combination of political and commercial pressure over land rights conspired to keep it from view.' (Production summary)
Aired at the National Library Theatre 19-20 August 1975 and during National Aborigines Week on 6 July - 8 July 1977.
Restored film broadcast on ABC on 20 August 2017.
Editor's note : Restricted - some images contain gender specific (men only) material