Running time 5 reels | Release date 19 May 1917 Initial release 1917 Cinematography Franklyn Barrett | |
Produced by Franklyn BarrettRock Phillips Written by Franklyn BarrettJ. Brown Starring Roland ConwayMaie Baird People also search for All for Gold, or Jumping the Claim | ||
Australia's Peril is a 1917 Australian silent film directed by Franklyn Barrett. It is considered a lost film.
Contents
Plot
Two German cruisers escape to the Pacific and begin to raid the Australian coast. They sink one merchant marine ship, leaving a sole survivor, Jack Rawson (Roland Conway). He drifts on a raft to an island which he discovers is an enemy munitions base and is captured. He overhears plans to raid the Australian coast and manages to escape. He is taken to Sydney but is kidnapped by a German spy, "Fred Smith" (John de Lacy). Smith ties Jack to a chair in a wooden building which he then sets on fire.
Smith helps a German raiding party land near Sydney and it starts wreaking havoc. Jack is rescued from the fire and helps fight the Germans, inspiring some workers who have gone on strike to join in the battle. He is stranded behind enemy lines when he discovers his fiancee, Marion (Maie Baird), is being held captive. He goes to rescue her and finds her being molested by Smith. Marion shoots Smith and kills him, then marries Jack.
Cast
Chapter titles
- Magnificent island scene
- The raft at sea
- The ride for life
- The landing of the enemy
- The sacking of the township
- The massacre of inhabitants
- The news reaches Sydney
- Our troops to the rescue
- The loyal strikers
- The hand-to-hand fight
- Victory.
Production
The film was written by Barrett and Rock Phillips, a stage designer for J.C. Williamson Ltd who also appeared in the cast along with his wife Lily Rochefort.
Shooting began in early 1917 with the co-operation of the Commonwealth Defence Department and the New South Wales Recruiting Committee.
Charles Villiers was injured during the shoot when he fell down a 30-foot cliff. He was hospitalised for two weeks.
Reception
Despite generally positive reviews, the film was not a success at the box office, most likely due to war weariness of the public.