La Dernière barricade

Director Watt, after the brilliant The Overlanders in 1946, may have even outdone that here, with a spectacular account of the infamous Eureka Stockade, and, more importantly, the events leading up to it. Rafferty is fantastic in the lead role as reluctant hero Lalor in the film which, considering the rather hefty restrictions placed on films in those days, is as close to a no-holds-barred examination of the events. Like The Overlanders, it's as entertaining as it is educational, and highly recommended for all Australians. 8/10.

Eureka Stockade is an ambitious film. It tries to fervour revolutionary sentiments such as those American films that depict the Boston tea party and the fight for American independence.

Under British rule. The Victorian government in 1854 need to raise funds by imposing licence fees on gold miners in Ballarat. It was also imposed to discourage new people coming into the area.

Not only are miners being taxed with these monthly licence fees, they are not treated like equal citizens having to work in terrible conditions.

The story follows three new arrivals Peter Lalor (Chips Rafferty) an engineer by trade and his Italian friend Raffaello Carboni (Peter Illing) who help out young Scotsman Tom Kennedy (Gordon Jackson) they meet. Life is hard for the gold miners and the licence fees keeps on increasing.

Tensions rise between the miners and the police when a hotel owner is acquitted of murder when a miner killed in a brawl.

Lalor tries to keep the peace between the miners and the police. However the Governor is in no mood to meet their demands for better treatment. Lalor finds himself a wanted man after Lalor and the miners arm themselves and make camp at the newly constructed Eureka Stockade. The British army easily overpower them.

The film certainly has a radical intent. The Governor, his cohorts and the soldiers are painted as boo hiss villains. Chips Rafferty seems to play Lalor with the dignity of Abraham Lincoln who he is made up to look like.

Director Harry Watt was on side of the gold miners. He certainly envisioned an epic scope for this film. Unfortunately it is not an involving film, lacking impetus and action with too many two dimensional characters.

What took place at dawn on December 3rd 1854 was to alter the Australian way of life forever. It's rather surprising that British Ealing Studios allowed for a reasonably balanced telling of this historical tale - relating the early battle for increased freedom from heavy British control. Bands of assorted immigrants lured to Australia by the call of the goldfields (along with locals) soon found that etching a life in such a young country was going to be an extremely difficult task. The British needed funds to develop a new nation so taxed, to desperation point, the mostly penniless miners into rebellion. When 'diggers' licenses began to cost more than essential supplies the 'rabble' (as the British labelled them) began to organise a civilian army to make a challenge - complete with their own 'Southern Cross' flag.

For a film made in Australia at this time, it's quite a handsome effort - Ealing Studios gave it a reasonable budget and the cast are all hard working and suited to their immigrant origins. Editing and cinematography are exceptional, with Australian master cinematographer George Heath (40,000 Horsemen '40) creating many moody scenes and working well with British director Harry Watt (Where No Vultures Fly '51) All considered, they gave us a tough and good looking account of this landmark local battle.

Chips Rafferty acquits himself very well as Peter Lalor and a mixed support team add the all convincing back-up from all sides of the globe. Some of the action is quite surprisingly spectacular considering the budget, and tight editing makes it an exciting watch. Much better than expected from an early English/Australian Production - retelling an all important element of our not overly well known past.