Mates from the Murrumbidgee is a 1911 Australian silent movie. It is considered a lost film and was arguably the first Australian war film, being set during the Boer War.Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper, Australian Film 1900–1977: A Guide to Feature Film Production, Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1998. p. 23. .Vagg, S., & Reynaud, D. (2016). Alfred Rolfe: Forgotten pioneer Australian film director. Studies in Australasian Cinema, 10(2),184-198. .
The movie was considered a financial success at the time.
Plot John, James and Mary are school friends, who grow up near the Murrumbidgee River. As they grow up both John and James fall for Mary, but Mary loves John. John and James work as drovers then join the Australian Lighthorse during the Second Boer War, both fighting for the New South Wales Lancers. While fighting with the Boers, John is seriously wounded. James comes back to Australia, says that John is dead, and marries Mary.
Mary ends up poisoning herself and one of the friends shoots the other.
The film includes a charge at Majuba Hill (even though that took place during the First Boer War). This was done "for the sake of the picturesque".
It also included a triumphant return to Sydney.
Cast Charles Villiers
Release and reception The film was released on a double bill with Fighting Blood, an American Western. It was accompanied by a lecturer who would explain the plot; for many screenings, this was the noted comedian Charles Woods.
The Sun wrote, "The ingenuity displayed in the revelation of this story is remarkable. From a homestead on tho Murrumbldge one is carried to South Africa through some thrilling episodes of tho Boer War, and back again to Sydney." The Colac Herald described the film as "a gem of its kind". Punch said it "met with a tremendous reception, and showed that the locally produced films arc in no way inferior to the imported article. " The Daily Telegraph said it "proved exceedingly popular."
A 1923 article referred to the film being popular.
References
External links
Mates from the Murrumbidgee at AustLit