form y separately published work icon Demonstrator single work   film/TV  
Adaptation of The Demonstrator Elizabeth Campbell , Don Campbell , 1970 single work novel
Issue Details: First known date: 1971... 1971 Demonstrator
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Film Details - Freeman-Fishburn International , 1971

Producers:

David Brice
James Fishburn

Production Companies:

Freeman-Fishburn International

Director of Photography:

John R. McLean

Editors:

Anthony Buckley

Production Designers:

Sid Fort

Composer:

Bob Young

Music:

Lyrics by Ted Ottley

Cast:

Incl. Joe James (Joe Slater), Irene Inescort (Marion Slater), Gerard Maguire (Steven Slater), Wendy Lingham (Sara Wainwright), Kenneth Tsang (Thao Kimalayo), Michael Long (Hugh Prentiss), Harold Hopkins (Malcolm), Elizabeth Hall (Beth), Kerry Dwyer (Robin), Slim DeGrey (Alexander Gurney), John Warwick (Frank Jamieson), Stewart Ginn (Supt. Ackland), Ken Goodlet (Inspector Graham), Redmond Phillips (Sir David Crawford), Alexander Cann (Henry Hoffman), Alistair Duncan (Ted Packard), Noel Ferrier (Governor General), Paul Karo (Charles East), Don Philps (Lloyd), Doreen Warburton (Australian Lady), Arnold Christopher (Pakistani), Michael Aitkin (Haler), Joseph Awe (Mr M'waso), David Lu (Japanese Delegate), Max Meldrum (TV Director), Jon Stephens (Communist Student), Peter Cruzado (Conference Delegate), Peter Berg (Christian Student).

Release Dates:

1. 8 April 1971 (Centre Cinema, Canberra)
2. Released on videocassette format by Freeman-Fishburn International ca. 1971.

Location:

  • Filmed on location in Canberra (Australian Capital Territory).

Notes:

1. The producers raised most of the $300,000 production budget from Canberra-based businesses. Students from the Australian National University appeared as demonstrators and conference delegates. Prime Minister John Gorton also supported the production by instructing government departments to assist wherever possible, provided that there was no direct expenditure (Pike and Cooper, p. 330).
2. Although Demonstrator's publicity also expressed an intention to help re-establish a viable commercial film industry, the film nevertheless failed to attract much support from either the critics or the public (aside from a successful season in Canberra). Michael Thornhill's review of the film in the Australian (17 April 1971), for example, expresses his disappointment at its political cop-outs, especially after its long promotion as the latest saviour of the Australian film industry (Pike and Cooper, p. 330).
3. Further reference: Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper. Australian Film 1900-1977, A Guide to Feature Film Production (1980, q.v.), p. 330.

Subjects:
Settings:
  • Canberra, Australian Capital Territory,
  • 1970s
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