Frank Hurley

Australia at War 1914-1918

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.

South

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

Antarctic Pioneers

This documentary chronicles Australia's early scientific expeditions to Antarctica between 1911 and 1954. It features rare historical footage captured by legendary explorer Frank Hurley during the 1911 Aurora voyage. The film highlights the massive challenges faced by pioneers establishing the continent's first permanent research stations.

Siege of the South

Siege of the South is a 1931 Australian documentary film by Frank Hurley. It featured Douglas Mawson. It was based on footage taken on the BANZ Expedition to Antarctica in 1930–31. The film debuted in Brisbane in 1931.

Pearls and Savages

Frank Hurley (1885-1962) was firmly established by 1925 as Australia's most famous photographer. After World War 1, having filled the position as the first official photographer of the Australian war effort, Hurley became interested in Papua New Guinea. In December 1920, he left Australia to record the work of Anglican missions in Papua and to make "travelogue entertainment". The result was this documentary, "Pearls and Savages" which was released in Sydney, in December 1921. Following its initial success, the film was modularly expanded for subsequent theatrical re-releases including the 1923 edition, 'With the Headhunters of Unknown Papua' incorporating new expedition footage that features Hurley and ichthyologist Allan McCulloch on screen.

Ross Smith’s Flight from London to Australia

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.

Home of the Blizzard

Frank Hurley (1885-1962) was firmly established by 1925 as Australia's most famous photographer. An artist interested less in expressing human experiences than the grandeur of nature and the romance of exotic lands, his work was known to Australians through books, newspaper features and documentary films. His journeys began in December, 1911 when he joined Mawson's expedition to Antarctica as official photographer; his stills of the Expedition were widely published around the world and this documentary "Home of the Blizzard" was released in 1913.

The Silence of Dean Maitland

Dean Maitland (John Longden), a young man in orders and engaged to a woman, is involved in a tragedy, to reveal the details of which would ruin his career. The Dean denies responsibility for both the pregnancy of his lover Alma Lee (Charlotte Francis), and the death of her father, whom it turns out was enraged at the Dean's behaviour, attacked him and was killed in a fall. His friend, Dr. Everard (John Warwick), is found guilty of the death on false evidence, and Maitland allows him to suffer 20 years imprisonment. When the doctor is released from prison, bitter and seeking revenge, the Dean must confront his silence and his guilt, and the climax is the Dean's confession from the pulpit of his sins...