In the turbulent years of the Great Depression an orphaned boy becomes a pawn in a bitter family feud as two aunts - snooty Anglophile Vanessa (Wendy Hughes), and working-class Lila (Robyn Nevin) - battle for his custody. 

Wealthy socialite Vanessa lavishes the boy with gifts, limousine rides, and affection but the dowdy Lila is determined to fight her sister's custody claims in court. The case is complicated by the arrival of the boy's long-absent father, Logan (John Hargreaves), an alcoholic who loves his son but is incapable of caring for him.

Winner of eight awards at the 1983 AFI - including Best Picture, Best Actress (Hughes), and Best Supporting Actor (Hargreaves) - and adapted from the best-selling Sumner Locke Elliot novel, this lush, poetic period film classic is the essential story of an Australian boy's coming-of-age in the tough Depression years. 

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Runtime: 110min
Theater date 1983

Director Carl Schultz; Screenplay Michael Jenkins; Based on the Novel by Sumner Locke Elliot

Cast: Wendy Hughes, Robyn Nevin, John Hargreaves and Nicholas Gledhill

SilverScreen is a free monthly screening programme of iconic and important Australian films.  It’s a great opportunity for audiences to access Australian film, meet other film lovers and hear from the actors, directors and producers at a post film Q&A. The films screen monthly in the comfortable theatre at Wide Angle, with plenty of opportunity for refreshments. This programme is possible through support from the Hobart City Council.