Aust silent
An almost complete list of Australian films produced during the Silent era
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- DirectorHerbert BoothJoseph PerryStarsBeatrice DayHarold GrahamMr. GrahamThe plot outlined the story of the early Christian martyrs with a compendium of horrors guaranteed to jolt audiences into an awareness of terrible suffering for the sake of Christianity. Contained maulings at the Colosseum, crucifixions, beheadings, savage hackings and burnings at the stake, burnings in the limepit, the spectacle of human torches in Nero's garden. Overall "soul stirring stories of the martyrs, illustrated by the most beautiful living pictures by kinematograph and limelight and never before witnessed in this or any other country.
- DirectorCharles TaitStarsElizabeth TaitJohn TaitNicholas BrierleyOriginally 70 minutes in running time, only 17 minutes of the world's first full-length narrative feature film survived in stills and other fragments and tell the story of Ned Kelly, an infamous 19th-century Australian outlaw.
- DirectorCharles MacMahonStarsJim GeraldGeorge MerrimanLance Vane
- DirectorArthur CornwallGeorge Cornwell
- DirectorCharles MacMahonStarsMartyn KeithRosie Knight PhillipsMrs. Barry Lane(England) The tragedy of Hampstead Heath. (The High Seas) The convict ship- Meeting on the "Malabar," The burning of the "Hydaspes." (Tasmania) The convict days at Port Arthur- Sylvia and "Good Mr. Dawes."- The Quarries- Ri-tooral-i-lay. (Norfolk Island) The government skin boat- Rescue of the castaways, Etc., Etc.
- DirectorBert BaileyStarsOlive WiltonBert BaileyEdmund DugganThe plot concerns the rivalry between two neighboring sheep stations, Enderby and Waratah. This version includes the subplot about the bushranger Ben Hall.
- DirectorJack GavinStarsJack GavinRuby ButlerH.A. ForsythFrederick Ward is accused of cattle theft and sent to Cockatoo island for seven years. After he escapes he finds that his fiancée has died of grief. For revenge he undertakes a life of crime.
- DirectorJack GavinStarsJack GavinH.A. ForsythRuby Butler
- DirectorW.J. LincolnStarsStanley Walpole
- DirectorJack GavinStarsAgnes GavinJack Gavin
- DirectorAlfred RolfeStarsAlfred RolfeLily DampierRaymond LongfordEdgar Dalmore, an impulsive youth, quarrels with his father, and in the heat of anger is disowned. Edgar's cousin, Vincent Lennox, is hard pressed for money, owing to his gambling proclivities. With aid of his friend, John Sterling, he beats Edgar's father into insensibility, robs the safe and accuses Edgar of having committed the crime. The father dies, and Edgar is sentenced to prison for life. At the end of six months, Edgar escapes from prison. As an escaped convict, he is welcomed into the Hellville band of bushrangers, made their captain, and called "Captain Midnight." He leads his band on several daring adventures, including an attack on and robbery of the government gold coach. After a thrilling chase by the bandits, the escort of the coach are overpowered and the chest of gold stolen. The mounted police chase Edgar and his band, and Edgar is separated from the bushrangers. Edgar meets his sweetheart, Thelma, who prevails upon him to renounce his bushranger connections. Elsa Harling, who is in love with Edgar, but whose love is not returned, sees Edgar with his sweetheart. She decides to turn Edgar over to the police and lays a plan for his capture. Edgar visits her at her father's cabin in the forest. The police surround the cabin. Elsa relents at the last moment, and helps Edgar to escape by cutting a hole in the back of the hut, thus eluding the police. Another exciting chase follows, during which Edgar has to swim across a river. Elsa overhears Vincent Lennox and his friend Sterling quarreling about the division of the money they have stolen after murdering Edgar's father. Her presence is discovered. She is seized by Lennox and Sterling, and tied to a tree. Lennox bargains with one of the bushrangers to do away with Elsa. Edgar, in his flight from the police, discovers Elsa tied to the tree, rescues her and in a thrilling scene he and Elsa overcome the two bushrangers and escape. Elsa notifies the police of the guilt of Lennox and Sterling, and the police start on the trail of the criminals. Edgar decides to cross the border and to live an honest life. He marries Thelma, and as they are coming out of the church they are seized by Lennox and Sterling and their followers, but Elsa arrives with the police in time to save Edgar and his wife. The stolen notes are found on Lennox, and he and Sterling are arrested for the murder. Through Elsa's noble sacrifice, Edgar is free to join his bride.
- DirectorJack GavinStarsJack Gavin
- DirectorW.J. LincolnStarsWalter DalgleishA Melbourne playboy, Oliver White, is murdered as he is driven home one night in a hansom cab. Investigating the crime encompasses all aspects of Melbourne society.
- DirectorAlfred RolfeStarsLily DampierLottie LyellAugustus Neville
- DirectorW.J. LincolnStarsJohn CosgroveEthel BuckleyRobert InmanThe setting is California during the California Gold Rush. On the California goldfields, Will Gordin is falsely accused of murder and is about to be lynched when his girlfriend rides to the rescue.
- DirectorGeorge Young
- DirectorE.J. ColeStarsE.J. Cole's Bohemian Dramatic Company
- DirectorJack GavinStarsAgnes GavinJack GavinSid Harrison
- DirectorGeorge Young
- DirectorW.J. LincolnStarsArthur Styan
- DirectorE.J. ColeStarsE.J. Cole's Bohemian Dramatic Company
- DirectorJack GavinStarsJack GavinAgnes GavinAlf Scarlett
- DirectorW.J. Lincoln
- DirectorAlfred Rolfe
- DirectorE.J. ColeStarsE.J. Cole's Bohemian Dramatic Company
- DirectorAlfred RolfeStarsLily DampierRaymond LongfordLottie LyellThe story opens in a room in the old Spaniard's Inn at Hempstead Heath, England. Sir Richard Devine has a meeting with Crofton, a man-about-town, who has also been known under the name of Rex. Crofton attempts to blackmail Sir Richard, and a quarrel ensues, during which Sir Richard is killed by Rex. Previous to this, Sir Richard's son Dick, a hail-fellow-well-met chap, had a quarrel with his father on account of Dick's debts, and the elder man cast off his son. Rex, knowing this, has prepared evidence so that Dick is accused of murdering his father. He is unjustly sent to prison. Several years previous to this, Parson North, before entering the ministry, had forged some notes, which were held by Sir Richard. Dick is sent to the convict settlement in an Dieman's Land, Australia, and some wonderful scenes are shown of the convicts working on the rock pile. The chain gang is shown at work, and one of the prisoners who has tried to escape is overtaken by the guard and brought back. Parson North is chaplain, and is the friend of all the convicts. Lieutenant Black, in charge of the prison, discovers the chaplain giving tobacco to the convicts, and threatens to report him. Dick Devine, now known as Rufus Dawes, is seen as a convict, working beside Rex, the man who killed Dick's father. Shortly after this, orders are given to have the convict settlement moved to Port Arthur, and the prisoners are taken in small boats on board the "Osprey," a large sailing ship. The convicts plan to overpower the guards and capture the ship. Chaplain North proves his courage by saving one of the officers from being murdered toy two of the convicts. That night the convicts overpower the crew of the "Osprey" and secure command of her. Their knowledge of sailing is limited, however, and the boat is dashed on the rocks. A stirring situation develops, during which the wrecked convicts are washed up on the beach. Major Vickers, the commanding officer of the convict settlement, had sent his wife and daughter, Sylvia, on the "Osprey," and their lives are saved only by the courageous work of some of the convicts, headed by Rufus Dawes. Dawes has made a little camp for Sylvia, and is building a boat in which he hopes to take her away from the island on which they are marooned. On the other side of the island are seen the three remaining convicts, among whom is Rex. These three are reduced to the last extremity and are drawing lots to see who shall be killed for food for the others. The convicts are recaptured and taken back to the settlement. In the meantime, Dawes has finished his boat and is about ready to launch same and take Sylvia back to civilization, when a searching party arrives and rescues them. Previous to this, one of the three convicts had killed Sylvia's mother, and the shock had deprived Sylvia of her memory. Lieutenant Black, with the rescuing party, accuses Dawes of the murder. In desperation, Dawes finally escapes from the prison at Port Arthur, and on his way to the shore meets Sylvia, now Mrs. Black. She fails to recognize Dawes, and he escapes. The sudden sight of Dawes partly restores Sylvia's memory, and she demands to see the man who rescued her. Dawes is again captured and brought back to Port Arthur, and upon seeing him, Sylvia's memory comes back to her. In the meantime, Lady Devine has arrived from England and demands to see her son, who is known as Rufus Dawes. Rex, weakened by his dreadful experiences, finally confesses to the murders of Sir Richard and Mrs. Vickers. Rufus Dawes is therefore released from prison and returns to England under his own name and title, Sir Richard Devine.
- DirectorGaston MervaleStarsA.J. PatrickAlf ScarlettGodfrey Cass
- Nothing got the Aussie adrenalin flowing in the early 1900's than some serious gold-fields drama.
- DirectorD.W. GriffithStarsGeorge NicholsClaire McDowellDell HendersonBill hits a rich gold strike and sends for his wife, Edith, to join him. While traveling on the stage, Edith meets and flirts with Jack, an old friend of Bill's. Once they arrive at the mining camp, Edith and Jack continue meeting secretly, and plan to run off together. Bill confides in Jack, wondering why Edith has become cold to him. Jack realizes that Bill's love for Edith is more worthy than his, and he leaves the camp.
- DirectorAlfred RolfeStarsEthel PhillipsCharles VilliersStanley WalpoleHarry Earl is in love with the station owner's daughter. The manager makes advances on her, but Earl beats him up. The overseer urges some Aborigines to kill Earl but one of them, alerts the station men by writing a message on a spear.
- DirectorJack GavinStarsJack Gavin
- DirectorJack GavinStarsJack Gavin
- DirectorRaymond LongfordStarsLottie LyellRaymond LongfordAugustus NevilleThe story opens with a May festival, during which Margaret Carrington is crowned Queen of the May. The rival lovers, a lieutenant in the army and a smuggler chief, meet Margaret, and she is compelled to choose between them. She chooses Morgan, the smuggler chief, and in a battle between the soldiers and the smugglers she persuades the lieutenant to let Morgan go free. The lieutenant resigns his commission and leaves for Australia. The soldiers are close on the track of the smugglers. A traitor in the smuggler band sends a false message to Margaret and signs the note "Morgan." In this note Margaret is told to come to a certain rendezvous. She steals a horse for this purpose, and is captured. Little seven-year-old Marjorie, in a thrilling horseback ride across country, carries a note to Morgan. Morgan goes to Margaret's assistance, rescues her, and she goes with Morgan to join the smugglers. Among the picturesque scenes along the coasts, arrangements are made for the marriage of Morgan and Margaret. Before the priest can pronounce the final words the soldiers enter the smugglers' cave, and there is a pitched battle between the smugglers and the soldiers. Morgan is killed, Margaret is captured and sentenced to death. Sentence is afterward commuted to the convict colony in Australia. Six months later we see Margaret in Australia as matron of the children's hospital. Here she meets the former applicant for her hand, the lieutenant, who is now an officer in the government service. Through his influence Margaret is pardoned, and finally becomes the lieutenant's bride.
- DirectorAlfred RolfeStarsCharles Villiers
- DirectorAlfred Rolfe
- DirectorAlfred Rolfe
- DirectorGaston MervaleStarsLouise LovelyJames MartinAn Irishman from an impoverished family could save the family estate by marrying a rich woman, but his heart yearns for his poor true love.
- DirectorAlfred RolfeStarsCharles Villiers
- DirectorW.J. LincolnStarsNellie BramleyMiss Grist
- DirectorJack GavinStarsJack GavinAgnes GavinCarr Austin
- DirectorW.J. LincolnStarsMartyn Hagan
- DirectorAlfred RolfeStarsCharles Villiers
- DirectorGeorge MarlowStarsEthel BuckleyNellie FergusonLouise HamptonThe evil Lucas List has seduced Ruth Wright, and desires her cousin, conservative school teacher Ruby Wright, but she is engaged to Robert Ray, a lieutenant in the merchant marine. List arranges it so that Ray gets drunk and is persuaded to marry Ruth, who refuses to break it off with List.
- DirectorRaymond LongfordStarsNellie StewartAugustus NevilleCharles LawrenceAt the opening of the story, Nell Gwynne, a popular English actress, is seen as an orange girl selling her goods in and around the old Drury Theater. While she is bantering, Lady Olivia Vernon, the ward of Lord Jeffreys, Chief Justice of England, appeals to Nell for a hiding place. Lady Olivia is being pursued by her guardian and his soldiers and Lord Jeffreys is trying to force Lady Olivia to marry a wealthy lord. By quickness of wit, Nell secures a hiding place for Lady Olivia and later directs Lord Fairfax, Lady Olivia's lover, to the hiding place. While the soldiers are searching for the young couple, Nell distracts their attention by her powers of mimicry. Nell has been endeavoring to secure a part in one of the productions at the Drury Lane Theater, but has been unable to secure an opportunity to show her ability. In desperation she had assumed the role of the orange girl, hoping in this way to find occasion to demonstrate her histrionic ability to the manager of that theater. On the occasion of the illness of one of the principal characters in a production, Nell secures an opportunity to appear in the part. She makes an instantaneous hit, and from then on her success is assured. Lord Jeffreys tries to force Lady Olivia to marry the wealthy Lord Rochester, but Nell Gywnn repeatedly outwits the chief justice. Fairfax, Lady Olivia's lover, is finally captured by Lord Jeffreys and thrown into prison. Lord Jeffreys has trumped up charges against Fairfax, and by trickery has made King Charles believe them. Nell seizes an opportunity to disguise herself as Lord Jeffreys, and to issue orders which help release Fairfax. Nell's final appeal to the King saves her young lover, and he is set free to join his sweetheart. Lord Jeffreys, for his trickery, is dismissed by the King. Nell continues on her rollicking way, and is the idol of the country. Her final good deed is the presentation of a wonderful hospital to the nation. Although she is now the favorite of the King, Nell does not forget her old friend.
- DirectorGeorge YoungStarsRoland Conway
- DirectorAlfred Rolfe
- DirectorAlfred RolfeStarsCharles Villiers
- DirectorAlfred RolfeStarsCharles Villiers
- DirectorAlfred RolfeStarsCharles Villiers
- DirectorGeorge MarlowStarsAda GuildfordJ. StanfordH. TwitchamReleased only a short time after the Titanic went down, this was cutting-edge drama for its day. The flick itself was a screen adaptation of a play George Marlow himself had produced in Australia the previous year. Bearing remarkable similarities to the plot of The Silence of Dean Maitland, it played-up two social aspects for which Marlow was long associated - sex and scandal! Murder, adultery, theft, surprise confessions and alcoholism all played a significant part here in the tale of a woman from most definitely the wrong part of town, who seduces an innocent young clergyman. You just didn't DO those things in 1912! Well to cut a long story short, Miss Guilford does JUST that and spends the rest of the film rueing her actions.
- DirectorGaston MervaleStarsLouise Lovely
- DirectorGaston MervaleStarsHarry BeaumontLouise Lovely
- DirectorAlfred RolfeStarsCharles Villiers
- DirectorGeorge Young"The Octoroon" tells the late of when In the deep south of 1850's USA, an octoroon is given her freedom by her white father but is later bought as a slave by the evil Jacob McCloskey.
- DirectorW.J. LincolnStarsHarrie Ireland
- DirectorGaston MervaleStarsLouise LovelyRobert Ffolliott is a young Irish lad who is done out of his land and sent off to a penal colony in Australia following false accusations by the greedy Kinchella. Conn the Shaughraun comes to his rescue and helps him escape from the prison ship, and he returns to Ireland and reunites with his sweetheart.
- DirectorGeorge YoungStarsRoland ConwayCasper Middleton
- DirectorAlfred RolfeStarsCharles Villiers
- DirectorW.J. LincolnStarsArthur StyanRip Van Winkle, a lazy American man, wanders off one day with his dog Wolf into the Kaatskill mountains where he runs into an odd group of men drinking and playing bowls. He drinks some of their mysterious brew and passes out. When he wakes up under a tree he is astonished to find that 20 years have passed and things are a lot different. This is a charming story about how America changed due to the cival war, only in a different and more subtle way than ever told before.
- StarsLoris BrownCharles LawrenceCyril MackayThe Eleventh Hour is a 1912 Australian silent film. It is considered a lost film.
- StarsW.S. Percy
- DirectorAlfred Rolfe
- DirectorGaston MervaleStarsLouise Lovely
- DirectorAlfred RolfeStarsCharles VilliersStanley Walpole
- DirectorAlfred RolfeStarsCharles Villiers
- DirectorGaston MervaleStarsLouise Lovely
- StarsCharles Woods
- StarsJack Gavin
- DirectorCharles WoodsStarsAlfred BristowWilton PowerD.R. Rivenall
- DirectorW.J. LincolnStarsGeorge BryantGodfrey CassRoy Redgrave
- DirectorW.J. LincolnStarsGeorge BryantGodfrey CassRoy RedgraveThe 1913 movie, 'Moondyne', one of the very first made using a sound stage in Melbourne, Australia, was adapted from the novel of the same name authored by John Boyle O'Reilly and published in 1880 by George Robertson in Sydney.. The novel was in turn was a reprint of the serialized, semi-autobiographical, story published in 'The Pilot' in Boston Mass. in 1878 entitled 'Moondyne Joe'. The plot centers around one Moondyne Joe, a character based on the real life Joseph Bolitho Jones who was a master escape artist from the jail at Fremantle, Western Australia when O'Reilly was himself held prisoner there. Moondyne was assisted in his final escape by local indigenous people with whom he then lived with for several years and who gave him the name Moondyne. During that time he was shown a gold deposit so huge that it made him extremely wealthy and he was able to return to England under a newly assumed identity as a Mr Wyville. Back in the land of his birth he builds a new life for himself and becomes well known for his humanitarian acts. The novel tackles many of the social justice issues of the time as they were discussed in Britain, Australia and America. The character Moondyne makes a brief appearance in the 2010 award winning screenplay, 'Cry of the Dreamer' which revolves around O'Reillys own arrest, imprisonment, transportation to Australia and his eventual escape on an American Whaler to the USA.