The reason for the docudrama approach stems from the original idea of making a propaganda film for the Australian government who knocked on Watts’ door looking for a well known director and a reputable studios – Ealing naturally fitted the bill, although the film was released after the war was over.
The odds are against Chips and his team and they encounter all manner of obstacles from crocodile infested rivers to poisonous vegetation, which kills a large number of horses. The climate is unforgiving, the main problem being the scarcity of water. But they persevere, undeterred. Women come off well too, they are not butch or coarse, but graceful and daring, rocking well-tailored khaki fatigues, check shirts and cowboy hats. Aborginals also play a lowkey part and are treated with respect and dignity. The film really is a tribute to human endeavour and fortitude, the tone pragmatic and upbeat throughout. The scenes showing cows falling off a cliff are particularly difficult to watch but all this makes it real and convincing, superbly shot in lustrous black and white by Canadian Osmond Borrowdaile who had worked with Cecile B. DeMille, and later became a dairy farmer. Maybe this wonderful experience inspired him. MT
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