My Brilliant Career (1979)

Director:

Gillian Armstrong

Writers:

Miles Franklin (novel)
Eleanor Witcombe (writer)

Release Date:

17 August 1979 (Australia)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Sometimes it is the things that bind us, that truly set us free.

Plot:

The heroine, Sybylla (Davis), a headstrong girl growing up in early 20th century Australia, has the...

Plot Keywords:

Australia | Love | Marriage | Convent | Slingshot

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 11 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Judy Davis	...	Sybylla Melvyn
Sam Neill	...	Harry Beecham
Wendy Hughes	...	Aunt Helen
Robert Grubb	...	Frank Hawdon
Max Cullen	...	Mr. McSwatt
Aileen Britton	...	Grandma Bossier
Peter Whitford	...	Uncle Julius
Patricia Kennedy	...	Aunt Gussie
Alan Hopgood	...	Father
Julia Blake	...	Mother
David Franklin	...	Horace
Marion Shad	...	Gertie
Aaron Wood	...	Stanley
Sue Davies	...	Aurora
Gordon Piper	...	Barman
James Moss	...	Pub drinker
Bill Charlton	...	Joe
Suzanne Roylance	...	Biddy
Zelda Smith	...	Ethel
Bobbie Ward	...	Mrs. Butler
Basil Clarke	...	Butler
Amanda Pratt	...	Blanche Derrick
Dorothy St. Heaps	...	Mrs. Derrick
Gerry Duggan	...	Squatter
Babs McMillan	...	Miss Benson
Carole Skinner	...	Mrs. McSwatt
Tony Hughes	...	Peter McSwat
Tina Robinson Hansen	...	Lizer McSwat (as Tina Robinson)
Aaron Corrin	...	Jimmy McSwat
Sharon Crouch	...	Sarah McSwat
Robert Austin	...	Willie McSwat
Mark Spain	...	Tommy McSwat
Simone Buchanan	...	Mary Anne
Ray Meagher	...	Mailman

Directed by
Gillian Armstrong

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Miles Franklin		novel
Eleanor Witcombe		writer

Produced by
Margaret Fink	....	producer
Jane Scott	....	associate producer

Original Music by
Nathan Waks

Cinematography by
Donald McAlpine

Film Editing by
Nicholas Beauman

Casting by
Hilary Linstead
Liz Mullinar

Production Design by
Luciana Arrighi

Art Direction by
Neil Angwin

Costume Design by
Anna Senior

Production Management
Jane Scott	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Steve E. Andrews	....	third assistant director
Mark Egerton	....	first assistant director
Mark Turnbull	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Su Armstrong	....	assistant props buyer (as Sue Armstrong)

Sound Department
Ned Dawson	....	sound recordist: additional crew
Phil Judd	....	sound effects recordist (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Brian Bansgrove	....	gaffer
Sam Bienstock	....	electrician
David Burr	....	focus puller
Louis Irving	....	camera operator
Peter Moss	....	camera operator
Paul Moyes	....	electrician

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Melody Cooper	....	wardrobe assistant
Robin Hall	....	wardrobe stand-by
Terry Ryan	....	wardrobe master

Editorial Department
Frans Vandenburg	....	assistant film editor (as Franz Vandenburg)

Other crew
Catherine Barber	....	unit runner (as Cathy barber)
Moya Iceton	....	continuity
Toivo Lember	....	location manager

Production Companies

• Greater Union Organisation (GUO)
• Margaret Fink Productions
• New South Wales Film Corp.

Distributors

• Analysis Film Releasing Corporation (1980) (USA) (theatrical)
• Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) (1982) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• Greater Union Organisation (GUO) (1979) (Australia) (theatrical)
• Svensk Filmindustri (SF) (1980) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• Australian Video
• Blue Underground (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• Blue Underground (2009) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Madman Entertainment (1979) (Australia) (all media)
• Madman Entertainment (2002) (New Zealand) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Spectrum Films International  post-production facilities

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | Sweden:Btl | Singapore:PG | USA:G | Australia:G

Filming Locations:

Monaro region, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

Greater Union Organisation (GUO)

Trivia:

Director Cameo: [Gillian Armstrong]cabaret backup singer.

Quotes:

Sybylla: Dear fellow countrymen, just a few words to let you know that this story is going to be all about me. So, in answer to many requests, here is the story of my career... here is the story, of my career...my brilliant career. I make no apologies for sounding egotistical...because I am!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Growing Pains: Maggie's Brilliant Career (#7.21)" (1992)

Simply beautiful

Gillian Armstrong's valentine to Miles Franklin's classic novel is one of the most beautiful movies ever made, and my personal favorite to watch over and over again. The photography is brilliant and Judy Davis delivers and unforgettable performance. She really takes you inside the head and soul of a very complex character who is alienated, fascinated, and bemused by the role she has been given to play in life. Every mother should show this movie to her teenage daughter. It may be the last chance you have to laugh together.