Frank Hurley

The story of the 1914-1916 Antarctic exploration mission of Sir Ernest Shackleton.

Directed and filmed by Frank Hurley for Cinesound, this short industrial documentary captures the realities of 1930s mining in Broken Hill. This film opens with dramatised historical re-enactments of Captain Charles Sturt’s 1844 expedition and Charles Rasp’s 1883 silver lode discovery. Utilising extensive cable networks and specialised camera filters to overcome extreme dark and heat, Hurley takes his camera 2,000 ft below the surface. The footage captures miners drilling rock, pit ponies hauling ore cars, and an explosive rock blasting arrangement. Above ground, it documents men operating heavy machinery to extract zinc, lead, and silver deposits, and the refining of the raw minerals.

Charles Chauvel's 1940 cinematic tribute to the mounted troops of the Australian Light Horse regiments is a rousing call to arms, giving life to the heroic tales of mateship during the Great War.

A detailed historical account of the major campaigns fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. Compiled from the archives of the Australian War Memorial, this film utilizes rare battlefield footage from the Middle East and Europe to trace the journey of the ANZAC troops from their initial departure to the frontline conflicts in Egypt, the Somme, and Cambrai.

A young forestry graduate, Jim Thornton, is involved in a race between timber companies to fill a major contract. Jim has joined the crew of a genial timber baron, Burbridge, and foils attempts by a rival, Blake, to sabotage their work. J. Alan Kenyon's special effects are the highlights of the film with comic relief provided by Joe Valli as a Scottish timber-train driver amorously pursued by a shrill-voiced maid of the Burbridge's country house.

In a small coastal town, young clergyman Cyril Maitland is involved in a tragedy that could ruin his rising career. After secretly impregnating his lover, Alma Lee, a violent struggle ensues with her enraged father, leaving the older man dead. Maitland denies responsibility and allows his close friend, Dr. Henry Everard, to be found guilty on false evidence and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Two decades later, as Maitland rises to prominence in the church, a bitter Everard is finally released, forcing the church leader to confront his decades of silence and guilt as his old friend seeks ultimate revenge.

Presented by explorer Frank Hurley in his final film appearance, this documentary chronicles Australia's role in the scientific exploration of Antarctica and the hardships the pioneers endured. Using archival footage, this film spans from 1911, following Sir Douglas Mawson's first expedition, to Phillip Law establishing the continent's first permanent research station in 1954.

A silent, unedited compilation of World War I footage documenting Allied military operations and logistics during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign.

Serving as the official record of Sir Douglas Mawson's Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE), this film records the 600-mile expedition to the Magnetic South Pole between December 1911 and March 1913. It documents the SY Aurora's departure from Hobart, wildlife at Macquarie Island and Cape Denison, the building of Mawson's Huts, and the daily hardships endured by the team. As one of the world's earliest surviving feature-length documentaries, the footage stands as a foundational milestone in polar cinematography and non-fiction filmmaking.

A silent documentary of Australian aviators Ross and Keith Smith making their historic 1919 flight from England to Australia, captured on the final legs of the journey by filmmaker Frank Hurley.

To claim his inheritance, John Strong travels to Thursday Island with an ultimatum to locate a valuable pearl within two years. If he fails, his late uncle's pearling station will be forfeited to a rival pearler, "Black" Darley.

This silent travelogue chronicles Francis Birtles' and Frank Hurley's 6,000-mile motorized expedition through the unmapped Australian wilderness. Filmed over four months in 1914, it serves as a historic natural and ethological study across Central Queensland, the Gulf of Carpentaria, and the Northern Territory. The surviving written records detail outback landscapes, swamps, and water-lily lagoons. In addition to flora, it extensively records fauna including crocodiles, alligators, snakes, wallabies, wild boars, camel teams, lizards, pelicans, and various bird species. This documentary also provides footage of Indigenous people and their practices, capturing ceremonial dances, fish spearing, hunting methods, traditional corroborees and a native tree burial. This film is considered entirely lost.

Commissioned to promote tourism, this dramatised travelogue follows couple Jack and Jill as they travel from Sydney to the Blue Mountains in search of a hidden £500 cheque. Accompanied by a group of fellow participants, their quest takes them across the landmarks of Katoomba.

A short documentary about Sir Douglas Mawson's Antarctic expeditions, compiled from archival footage taken by Frank Hurley. Framing the Antarctic continent as the "new land of opportunity" following the King's transfer of a million square miles to Australian control, the film showcases the region's geography, weather, wildlife, and locked mineral wealth.

Commissioned by Australian Paper Manufacturers, this documentary shows the process of paper manufacturing in the Boola Boola State Forest region of Gippsland, Victoria. It chronicles sustainable forestry methods and logging procedures alongside the replanting of seedling pines for future generation use. It features the residential area of Traralgon, the manufacturing process at the Maryvale Mill, and the everyday use of the final products.

A story of rival sheep stations and of the strong-willed squatter’s daughter who wants to unite them.

Compiled from authentic wartime footage shot by official AIF photographers, this film documents Australia's role in the First World War. The historical footage is edited and narrated by decorated veteran Captain G.D. Mitchell.

A silent documentary showing the pilots, mechanics and operations of the Australian Flying Corps. It highlights military aviation activities across France, Palestine and England during and immediately after the First World War.

At a picnic to celebrate Australia's 150th 'birthday', a family discusses significant events that shaped the nation. From re-enacting the arrival of the First Fleet and the birth of John Macarthur's wool-producing enterprise, the film then turns to the present, focusing on rural production, industrial efficiency and the splendid urban landscape of Sydney. As the introductory title grandly proclaims: "From so small a beginning has sprung the virile Australian Nation." Frank Hurley, at the peak of his fame as a photographer, film maker and adventurer, was the obvious choice to direct the film and he delivered spectacular imagery and patriotic commentary with gusto.

A post-war travelogue capturing landscapes, national parks and key industries of Tasmania. The film highlights popular holiday destinations ranging from the shores of the Freycinet Peninsula and lakes surrounding Cradle Mountain, to key trades such as the region's agricultural farmlands, timber logging, and apple orchards.

A silent documentary capturing Australian troops during the third battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) between September and October 1917. Filmed across the Ypres Salient and Menin Road, it records the daily life on the Western Front, showing active artillery, prisoners, troop inspections, and trench infrastructure.

‘Mo’ McIsaac and his sidekick Donald try to find work to support a young orphan girl he finds dancing for pennies in the street, Miriam, unaware she is really the missing daughter of rich aristocrat, Major Burnett. Gangster Al Baloney and Mae West impersonator Kate kidnap the girl and Mo is blamed for her disappearance.

This promotional travelogue showcases the Great Barrier Reef as an ideal holiday destination, taking viewers on a tour of its scenic islands. The film highlights the natural environment and wildlife, featuring newly hatched chicks nesting in the bush, newborn turtles making their trek from the sand to the sea, traditional spear fishing, and underwater scenes capturing the diverse marine life.

Sagebrush and Silver is a 1941 American short documentary film enjoying the beautiful scenery of Nevada in the United States and directed by Frank Hurley. It was nominated for an Academy Award at the 14th Academy Awards for Best Short Subject.