Blackas Bloggers: "They Found a Cave," Our Film Study for this month

We viewed this film on Thursday and students will be writing a report on the film. Four other students, who have read the book will also be doing a comparison of the book written in 1947 and this film which was released in 1962. This was Australia's first childrens' film and it was filmed in Tasmania.

"This is a quaint offering from 1962 and is based on what was a somewhat radical story at the time it was written when children were seen and not heard.

Three British orphans travel to Tasmania to be cared for by their aunt who lives on a farm. They make friends with the boy in the care of the couple employed as farm help. Whilst exploring the bush they find a cave and use it as a base as they battle the baddies.

The harmonica background music was a feature of films of the era and quite frankly it becomes thoroughly annoying after about ten minutes. Some of the acting is a bit forced, but it is a little like the Famous Five travel to Australia."

The report will include:

* A short biography about Nan Chauncy (We have already had one research session on this.)
* A brief introduction talking about the book and the film.
* A synopsis of the story
* Character studies (Students will choose three of the characters and write a paragraph about each) They can do more if they wish.
*The setting
*Their opinion about the film

The art lesson this Friday afternoon will be used by students to design a cover for their report. A3 cartridge in a booklet form has been supplied.

Here is an example of a synopsis:

"Four English orphans migrate to Tasmania to live on a farm in the wild Tasmanian bush with their aunt, Jandie (Barbara Manning). But when their aunt becomes sick and goes to hospital, the children are left in the company of the bossy housekeeper Ma Pinner (Beryl Mekin) and her sinister husband Pa Pinner (Mervyn Wiss). Faced with a life of misery, the children run away to live in a cave in the hills, with the help of Tas (Christopher Horner), the Pinners' foster son. When the children discover that the Pinners are plotting to steal Jandie's money, they foil the plot and call in the police. When Jandie returns, she proposes Tas stay with the rest of the children in their new home."