Kenneth BramptonRobbery Under Arms (1920)

This 1920 silent film was made by Kenneth Brampton, who wrote, produced, directed and starred in it.

The story concerns a real life bushranger (outlaw) named Captain Starlight, who became a national hero (like Ned Kelly). It is based on a classic Australian novel by Rolf Boldrewood (the pen name of Thomas Browne).

This was the third film of the novel. The first, directed by Charles McMahon, was an early feature film made shortly after "The Story of the Kely Gang". The second was made in 1911. The 1957 Rank Organisation production starring Peter Finch was one of the most popular Australian films of the 1950s. It was again remade as a TV mini-series in 1985 starring Sam Neill.

The 1920 version is one of the few surviving independently produced Australian silent films.

This version comes from a video tape released by the New South Wales Department of Education, Sydney in 1984. This is from a multi-generational VHS copy. I have put the video through as much video noise reduction as I could without effecting the image. Its not very good quality but this is a decent movie and a valuable artifact. There is no musical soundtrack. This video is completely silent.

This item is part of the collection: Feature Films

Director: Kenneth Brampton
Producer: Kenneth Brampton
Production Company: Kenneth Brampton
Audio/Visual: Silent, Black and White
Language: English
Keywords: Bushrangers, Western, Australia, Kenneth Brampton
Contact Information: video_cellar@yahoo.com.au

Creative Commons license: Public Domain

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Reviewer: Robin_1990 - - April 26, 2008
Subject: 5 Stars Because It's a Silent Film

Howdy! I'm the ever "popular" Australian teenager who loves old things. Anyway, I have only watched a bit of this film, But I'm giving it 5/5 since almost no Aussie silent films still exist. Plus the Australian Film and Sound Archive claims copyright on the surviving silents, So it's almost impossible to see 'em. Of course, American's may be puzzled at why Australians have criminals as national heros. But really, If you are sick of mainstream Hollyweird blockbusters and cliche "indie" movies, Then check this out!

Credits

Cast

Jackie Anderson ... Warrigal
Vera Archer ... Jennie Morrison
Kenneth Brampton ... Captain Starlight
Charles Chauvel
Roland Conway ... Dick Marsden
Betty Crook ... Miss Falkland
Hilda Dorrington ... Kate Morrison
S.A. Fitzgerald ... Ben Marsden
Tien Hogue ... Aileen Marsden
Stuart MacRae ... Inspector Goring
Austral Nichol ... Mrs. Knightley
William Pearson ... Sir Frederick Moranger
Wilton Power ... George Storefield
Cliff Pyatt ... Jim Marsden
Roy Redgrave ... Dan Moran
Phyllis Ruthven ... Grace Storefield
Sybil Shirley
Nan Taylor ... Mrs. Marsden
H.D. Wise ... Mr. Knightley