image of person or book cover 5800800131640322972.jpg
Screen cap from promotional trailer
form y separately published work icon Stork single work   film/TV   humour  
Adaptation of The Coming of Stork David Williamson , 1970 single work drama
Issue Details: First known date: 1971... 1971 Stork
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Film Details - Bilcock and Copping Film Productions ; Tim Burstall and Associates , 1971

Producers:

Tim Burstall

Production Companies:

Bilcock and Copping Film Productions
Tim Burstall and Associates

Finance Organisations:

Australian Film Commissions Experimental Film and Television Fund

Director of Photography:

Robin Copping

Editors:

Edward McQueen-Mason

Production Designers:

Leslie Binns

Composer:

Han Poulsen

Cast:

Incl. Bruce Spence (Graham 'Stork' Wallace), Graeme Blundell (Westy), Sean McEuan (Tony), Helmut Bakaitis (Clyde), Jacki Weaver (Anna), Larry Stevens (Farmer), Nanette Goode (Farmer's Wife), Dennis Miller (University Lecturer), Brian Moll (Priest), Michael Duffield (Judge), David Bilcock (Explorer), Robin Copping (Explorer), Alan Finney (Tailor), George Whaley (Businessman), Lynne Flanagan (Matron), Peter Cummins (Sculptor), Brendan Cassidy (Gallery Manager), Madeleine Orr (Stork's Mother), Peter Green (Clergyman), Han Poulsen (Vocalist), Jan Friedl (Women's Libber), Terry Norris (Anna's Father), Max Gillies (Uncle Jack), Kerry Dwyer (Nun - uncredited).

Release Dates:

1. 27 December 1971 (St Kilda Palais, Melbourne - premiere).
2. Re-released on DVD format in 2004 by Roadshow Entertainment.

Location:

  • Melbourne

Awards:

  • Australian Film Institute Awards (1972) Golden Reel Award - Burstall, Bilcock and Copping (winners). The win also saw the producers awarded the new Australian Film Development Corporation prize of $5,000 prize for best narrative feature.
  • Australian Film Institute Awards (1972) Best Direction - Tim Burstall (winner). Burstall was also awarded the City Cinemas-Village Theatres Group $1,000 prize for Best Direction.
  • Australian Film Institute Awards (1972) Hoyts Prize for Best Actor - Bruce Spence (winner)
  • Australian Film Institute Awards (1972) Hoyts Prize for Best Actress - Jackie Weaver (winner)

Notes:

1. Assistant Director: Ross Dimpsey.
2. Stork was produced for a total cost of some $70,000, with only $7000 provided by government subsidy, and was initially exhibited by Burstall and Associates. The premiere season at the St Kilda Palais ran for a surprising six weeks, and was followed by successful seasons at Melbourne's Balwyn and Metro cinemas. This attracted the interest of Roadshow, who subsequently took over the Australia-wide distribution. The original 16mm prints had to be reprocessed into 35mm for exhibition at the major cinemas.
3. Despite being an independent, low-budget, homegrown movie, produced at a time when the Australian public was suspicious of the quality of Australian films, Stork became a commercial and critical success for director/producer Tim Burstall.
4. Further reference: Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper. Australian Film 1900-1977, A Guide to Feature Film Production (1980, q.v.), pp. 336-337.

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