Ginger Meggs

Most just loved the amazing look of this Aussie eccentric: John Seale (OSCAR for The English Patient) shot it in what was then a very surreal visual style... wild revue acting with a great cast of character actors also made it a lot of fun and it did very well in Oz according to box office figures...the young actors did their best competing with a very stylish set and some Big Top scenes that tended to overwhelm the whole shebang at times. Many of the actors went on to star in other things (John Wood has become a legend in the TV series Blue Heelers, which make the whole movie a rather historic time capsule.

But above all, the sheer high spirited energy and great look of the art direction and cinematography as well as a totally over the top rock(?) soundtrack -when you'd think a mouth organ would have done the job- make this a real and underestimated keeper. But GM never got a DVD release...why?

This is an absolute Australian classic. It's up there with Fortress (Rachael Ward).

I had this on video tape when I was just a girl about 15 years ago. I LOVED it so much and so did my entire family and any friends who stopped by and viewed it.

It's such a tragedy that this is not available on DVD.

It is definitely bright (but not too bright), and a little weird and wonderful but that's why I loved it.

It's rare to see a family friendly movie these days that's full of innocence and adventure. This is a must see!..............But, good luck finding a copy of it.

I was delighted to view this movie for the first time recently on Foxtel. I always enjoyed the comic strip as a kid. This movie is certainly not politically correct by today's standards but it fairly represents (in a comic book way) life for kids in the 1940-1960 era. It is beautifully filmed but the acting is all over the place. I loved Gary McDonald as Mr Meggs. It is probably a bit too long but very enjoyable for anyone who remembers those good old days. Of course the story is a bit far fetched but forget that and just enjoy the visuals. I would go so far as to say that this is destined to be an Aussie Classic with the increased exposure on Foxtel and DVD. It deserves it.

I saw a lot of this movie being made, in fact I met Ginger Meggs and other characters whilst the movie was being made. I have friends and relatives in the movie also, which makes the movie a personal favorite.

Set in and around the township's of Mittagong and Bowral in the Southern Highlands of NSW, this is a true Aussie film, filmed in one of the most picturesque parts of Australia. It holds a special place in my heart, just like another movie that is also filmed in Robertson in the Highlands, Babe. I guess it takes me back to simpler days, where children were easily entertained and having fun with friends mean't riding push bikes and making mud pies :)

I have been trying to find a copy of this movie for years, but have had no luck! If anyone is lucky enough to find this movie please let me know. :)

Anyone who grew up reading the antics of Ginger Meggs in their morning newspaper will no doubt be intrigued to see his adventures transferred to the big screen. Ginger Meggs, like Fatty Finn, is an Australian institution. This movie is not likely to become one though. To be sure, it looks good. The film makers have gone to a lot of trouble to get the look of the movie correct. There is a cast that includes cameos by some great Aussie acting stalwarts too. That's not to say the acting is good in this. Some is, most isn't. Unfortunately, that's all that can be said in this movie's favour. Sadly, the producers have gone for buffoonery rather than any real attempt at humour here. The plot is a bit of a mess and there is an absolutely horrendous soundtrack of completely forgettable and tedious songs that don't fit in with the film's aesthetic or time period at all. (The actual era this is set in isn't mentioned, however it is mentioned in one scene that Princess Elizabeth is heir to the throne, so we know it is set sometime between 1926 and 1952). This movie's worst downfall, however, is that it is pretty dull. My kids, who didn't grow up reading Ginger Meggs, lost interest about half way through. I stayed with it out of loyalty to the character and in the interest of nostalgia, but I was pretty pleased when it came to a conclusion. Five stars for effort.