Thunder over the Desert

Filmmakers and footsloggers! It's not often you hear these two words together, but they perfectly capture the story of Australia's film industry revealed in this compelling book. Since the early 20th century, Australia's local screen industry has fought a fierce battle against the overwhelming dominance of Hollywood, striving to keep homegrown feature films on Australian cinema screens. This is a story of resilience and cultural pride, where the struggles of the nation's filmmakers have been metaphorically aligned with the heroic narrative of the Anzac soldier. Much like the first Anzacs at Gallipoli – heroes even in the face of devastating defeat – Australia's cinema has a celebrated history of seeing itself as valiant, even when the odds were stacked against it. Peter Mageros delves into the deep historical connections between myth and cinema, exploring how filmmakers such as Longford, Chauvel, Weir, and Beresford have drawn inspiration from the iconic images of the Diggers on screen. The book reveals how the theme of the 'heroic film industry' persists in contemporary times, with Australian filmmakers portrayed as 'going into the trenches' alongside the legendary soldiers. This is a story of true heroism – not always one of triumphant conquest, but of unwavering determination to protect and preserve a uniquely Australian cinematic voice.