Parody of historical epics that focuses on real-life Australian explorers William John Wills and Robert O'Hara Burkes, who tragically tried to cross the Australian continent from the south, to the north, a distance of 3,250 km.
Acting
Garry McDonald's Burke: magnificent idiot with Shakespearean delusion.
Writing
Satire so sharp it accidentally teaches actual history.
Production
Didgeridoo-heavy score that mocks epic pretensions beautifully.

Director
Bob Weis
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Garry McDonald and Kim Gyngell developed this from a 1978 Melbourne Theatre Company production, keeping the theatrical absurdity intact.
Released during Australia's 'cultural cringe' era, it savagely deconstructs the Burke and Wills legend that schoolchildren were fed as noble tragedy.
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