Eureka Stockade

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Ken R What took place at dawn on December 3rd 1854 was to alter the Australian way of life forever. It's rather surprising that British Ealing Studios allowed for a reasonably balanced telling of this historical tale - relating the early battle for increased freedom from heavy British control. Bands of assorted immigrants lured to Australia by the call of the goldfields (along with locals) soon found that etching a life in such a young country was going to be an extremely difficult task. The British needed funds to develop a new nation so taxed, to desperation point, the mostly penniless miners into rebellion. When ‘diggers' licenses began to cost more than essential supplies the ‘rabble' (as the British labelled them) began to organise a civilian army to make a challenge – complete with their own ‘Southern Cross' flag. For a film made in Australia at this time, it's quite a handsome effort – Ealing Studios gave it a reasonable budget and the cast are all hard working and suited to their immigrant origins. Editing and cinematography are exceptional, with Australian master cinematographer George Heath (40,000 Horsemen '40) creating many moody scenes and working well with British director Harry Watt (Where No Vultures Fly '51) All considered, they gave us a tough and good looking account of this landmark local battle. Chips Rafferty acquits himself very well as Peter Lalor and a mixed support team add the all convincing back-up from all sides of the globe. Some of the action is quite surprisingly spectacular considering the budget, and tight editing makes it an exciting watch. Much better than expected from an early English/Australian Production – retelling an all important element of our not overly well-known past. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/08/20 Full Review Audience Member I saw Eureka Stockade with my Mother when it first came out but I cannot write full review because I had not developed an adult critical faculty at that time. I thought it was good though because, despite a lot of talking the fighting in the stockade was exciting and made you take the side of the gold miners. Chips Rafferty was in it and I liked him because I had already seen him in The Overlanders. I think both films must have been good 'adventure stories' because I remember bits of them now nearly seventy years later Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Another slab of Australian history from director Harry Watt. This is the story of the organized and democratic resistance by Victoria's goldminers ("diggers" of course) against the heavy-handed tax collectors of the Queen led by Governor Hotham. Although there is initial danger of mob rule when the diggers react to the brutal killing of one of their own, Peter Lalor (played by Chips Rafferty) rises to the occasion to take over the leadership and quell the angry group. They build a stockade at Ballarat, design their own flag (the Southern Cross, of course), and prepare to defend their rights against tyranny. They want the right to vote and to represent themselves as part of the governing body of the colony (this is 1854, before Australian Federation (which did not happen until 1901). Unfortunately, the Governor attempted to stomp out the uprising by massacring the lot of 'em and very nearly wiped them out (including Lalor). But this action turned the public sympathy to the diggers and when survivors were brought to trial for sedition, they were found innocent. Lalor later became a member of parliament for Ballarat. The film itself is brisk, well-edited, a bit rangy but earnest and engaging. It might help you to pass the citizenship test! Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member The classic Australian Story of the Eureka Stockade brought to the screen ironically by an English Director & Crew. I'm quite confident this film has quite a few embellishments here & there but it is interesting all the types of people from all over the world came in search for gold! Majority of the battle is between the men searching for gold and the authority of the time, Australia wasn't even a federation yet since the events in the film took place in the 1850's. It's a simple film that to be truthful a little dated but still accessible. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Eureka Stockade

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