The film focuses on the life of Jeannie, a woman from the upper classes of society, and her story of adapting to life in the outback of Australia. Following her marriage to Aeneas Gunn who has just bought a 1 million acre cattle station near Mataranka, called Elsey Station, Jeannie follows him from Melbourne in 1902. Some of the drovers were unhappy at first because they believed that the bush is no place for a white woman. As such, they were both wary of her and made fun of her when both she and her husband arrived. However, Jeannie was determined to prove them wrong. While her husband was away with the other men herding the cattle, Jeannie begins making friends with the Aboriginal people. Her husband and the other white men treated the local people as inferior to them, often regarding them as lazy, indifferent, as well as unreliable. However, Jeannie is sympathetic, often giving them food, or trying to stop domestic disputes. Later, Aeneas goes on a cattle muster and asks Jeannie to come along, which she does gladly. However the trip is difficult for her, riding side-saddle, she is also nearly attacked by a rogue bull. However, as time passes, things improve at the station - the house is expanded, a new Chinese cook arrives, a garden is planted, as well as her belongings finally arrive from Melbourne. But boredom sets in as she assumes her place - that of the station master's wife. She is asked not to help a feverish yet dying man, or to interfere with the balance of things, or to give the Aboriginal people goods meant for the working men. As a result, she spends more time with the locals, since she longs to learn and understand more about their ways. Jeannie even takes a semi-orphaned mixed-heritage child called Bett-Bett under her wing, much to the dismay of her husband. Over time Jeannie gains the respect of the Aboriginal people and they slowly open up to her. At one point, Goggle Eye, an elder Aboriginal male, allows her to watch an Aboriginal dance. The stockmen, however, interrupt the "heathen" dance, shooting and shouting "God save King Edward". Later, Bett-Bett goes on walkabout and Google Eye becomes ill and feverish. Believing that he has been affected by a singing curse Eye passes away. The stockmen feel some mixed remorse, acknowledging their role in his death. Soon it is Christmas and the Aboriginal people are treated a little better after what happened. In the spirit of Christmas, many of the provisions are given away and a large traditional Christmas meal is prepared for the westerners. It is here that Aeneas announces his intention, after their first year, to stay on at the station. Just when Jeannie thinks she is accustomed to life in the harsh outback, Aeneas also becomes feverish and dies, leaving her alone at the station. However, Bett-Bett returns from walkabout and asks to stay with her in the house.
The film was originally to have been written by John Dingwall but he did not get along with Igor Auzins and was replaced by Peter Schreck. The original producer was John B. Murray, who was then head of production for the Adams-Packer company. The film was shot on location in the Northern Territory at Elsey Station and Mataranka - the same setting as the novel. It was produced with the assistance of the Northern Territory Government, the Film Corporation of Western Australia, and the Victorian Film Corporation. Filming took 13 weeks from April to June in 1981. Four weeks into the shoot the production was behind schedule. John B Murray was replaced as producer by Greg Tepper, who had been the production manager for Fred Schepisi. The original budget was $2.5 million but the film ended up going $700,000 over due to high transportation costs. Igor Auzins later argued that pre-production on the film was not as tightly organised as it should have been. Angela Punch McGregor later complained that only half of the script was shot:
A lot of good action scenes were cut because of the restrictions on time and budget, much to my disappointment and anger then. We ended up with a very slow-moving narrative and a more intellectual film than I had anticipated... What we have still to learn in this country is that you cannot fix up a film in the editing room.
Release
A year after filming finished, the movie was screened at Cannes. The film soundtrack by Peter Best was initially released on LP. Years later it was released again on compact disc along with "Devil in the Flesh". It features a simple but beautiful melody: part of a haunting score which is one of the best in Australia film history. The soundtrack recording was produced by Peter Best and released by Festival Records and 1M1 Records. We of the Never Never grossed $3,112,000 at the box office in Australia, which is equivalent to $9,055,920 in 2009 dollars. The movie was also popular in England.
Critical reception
The New York Times commented: Time Out London comments:
*AFI Award - Best Original Music Score: Peter Best.
*AFI Award - Best Screenplay: Peter Schreck.
Home media
We of the Never Never was released on DVD by Umbrella Entertainment in June 2004. The DVD is compatible with all region codes and includes special features such as the theatrical trailer, soundtrack, an interview featurette, and a documentary.
