STORM BOY

Director Henri Safran / 1976 / Australia

One of Australia's most beloved family films shines on the big screen.

In a secluded wildlife reserve, 10-year-old Mike roams the coastline with his fisherman father. Theirs is an isolated existence, shared only with the Indigenous man, Fingerbone Bill (David Gulpilil), whom Mike has befriended in secret. When he rescues and cares for three orphaned pelican chicks, he forms a bond that forever changes his outlook.

Director Henri Safran turned Colin Thiele's celebrated novel into one of Australia's classic coming-of-age efforts, as aided by Gulpilil's scene-stealing turn as the catalyst for the titular character's feathered friendship.

Winner of the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Film in 1977, Storm Boy treats viewers young and old to a sincere and sensitive exploration of the relationship between humans and nature, as well as a poignant testament to the power of connection.

"To a generation of Australian kids, this visually beautiful film holds a very special place … up there with the classic tear-jerking child-and-their animal best-pal movies of Disney and Hollywood." – FilmInk

Find the book at Readings.

 

Courtesy of the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia

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