Newsfront

PG

1978

1h 51m

Drama

List

80%

Tomatometer

5 Reviews

57%

Audience Score

100+ Ratings

As the onset of television threatens his livelihood, newsreel cameraman Len Maguire (Bill Hunter) tries to bolster his failing company as his co-worker and brother, Frank (Gerard Kennedy), leaves to work for a competing outfit. Len finds a new source of frustration in his rigid wife, Fay (Angela Punch), whom he marries after realizing that fellow employee Amy (Wendy Hughes) loves Frank. As ambitious Frank looks to new forms of electronic journalism, Len remains committed to traditional ways.

Read More

Read Less

Elliott Stein

Film Comment Magazine

It is fascinating material, reasonably exotic.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 12, 2017

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Newsfront is, in any case, a pleasant and nostalgic movie, told in a key a little too low to constantly involve us.

Rated: 2.5/4

Dec 6, 2005

Full Review

Brian Susbielles

InSession Film

Mixing true events gives the impression of being in history with the narrative following these lives of news chasers.

Mar 7, 2023

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

The way the newsreels are woven into the fictionalized story is seamless.

Rated: B+

Apr 17, 2009

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Jul 25, 2005

Full Review

Read all reviews

mike v

This classic Australian film from 1978 is set during the 1940s and 50s. It mainly deals with the Cinetone Newsreel films of the day. I really liked the vintage and retro aspect of the film, which is in insight into a largely forgotten Australia. Although the accompanying storyline is quite sparse, the nostalgic aspect of the film had me hooked. AFI

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Philip Noyce made his feature film debut with this true story of an Australian newsreel company.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Excellent drama, with great attention paid to historical authenticity.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

uses both colour & blk n white to tell the story of 2 brothers year s/b 1978

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A quiet epic on both the making of a nation, and the craft of those who documented it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A fascinating movie about by-gone era.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Phillip Noyce

Director

Bill Hunter

Len Maguire

Chris Haywood

Chris Hewitt

Angela Punch McGregor

Fay

Gerard Kennedy

Frank Maguire

Wendy Hughes

Amy Mackenzie

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

View more photos

Synopsis

As the onset of television threatens his livelihood, newsreel cameraman Len Maguire (Bill Hunter) tries to bolster his failing company as his co-worker and brother, Frank (Gerard Kennedy), leaves to work for a competing outfit. Len finds a new source of frustration in his rigid wife, Fay (Angela Punch), whom he marries after realizing that fellow employee Amy (Wendy Hughes) loves Frank. As ambitious Frank looks to new forms of electronic journalism, Len remains committed to traditional ways.

Director: Phillip Noyce
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 5, 2020
Runtime: 1h 51m