Australian Western Cinema: From Bushrangers to Meat-Pie Westerns
The intersection of the American Western and Australian cinema has created a unique, fluid genre. While the traditional Western is rooted in the American frontier, Australia has developed its own cinematic language to explore its vast landscapes, colonial tensions, and the mythos of the outlaw. Whether termed a "Kangaroo Western" or a "Meat-pie Western," these films blend US cinematic influence with distinct Australian historical themes.
Key Facts
- The Story of the Kelly Gang (1906) is considered one of the first feature films in the world and a pioneer of the genre.
- The term "Meat-pie Western" was coined by Eric Reade in 1979 as a local counterpart to the "Spaghetti Western."
- Bushrangers (outlaws who lived in the bush) are the primary focus of early Australian Western-style films.
- The genre has evolved from simple adventure tales to revisionist Westerns that critique racism and colonialism.
- Some modern filmmakers reject the "Western" label entirely, opting for terms like "Northern" to describe films set in the Northern Territory.
Defining the Genre: Terminology and Evolution
Defining what constitutes an Australian Western is often a matter of perspective. Some historians view any film about bushrangers as a Western, while others reserve the term for films that explicitly adopt US cinematic conventions. Over time, several descriptive terms have emerged to categorize these works.
Kangaroo and Meat-Pie Westerns
The term "Kangaroo Western" appeared in 1982 regarding The Man from Snowy River, and was used as early as 1989 to describe Charles Chauvel's 1926 film Greenhide. Parallel to this is the "Meat-pie Western," a term attributed to Eric Reade in 1979. This phrase was used to describe Russell Hagg's Raw Deal (1977) and was later compared to the "Spaghetti Western" by columnist John-Michael Howson in 1981.
Historian Troy Lennon suggests that these "meat pie Westerns" have existed for over a century, reflecting a long-standing tradition of blending local identity with frontier tropes.
Categorization of the Genre
Scholar Grayson Cooke posits that the Australian Western never reached a "classic" mature phase. Instead, he categorizes the films into four broad groups:
- Early bushranger and bush adventure films.
- Westerns produced in Australia by foreign studios.
- Contemporary remakes of bushranger stories.
- Contemporary revisionist Westerns (such as The Tracker and The Proposition).
Emma Hamilton of the University of Newcastle notes that these films often use American conventions to explore imperial-colonial relationships, drawing parallels between the histories of the US and Australia.
A History of Australian Western Films
The genre began with The Story of the Kelly Gang in 1906, which featured classic tropes like gunfights and horseback chases. However, the industry faced a major setback between 1911 and 1912 when the governments of Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia banned the depiction of bushrangers—a restriction that lasted roughly 30 years.
Despite this, production continued through the 20th century, often through international collaborations. Ealing Studios produced The Overlanders (1946), which was marketed as a drama in Australia but as an "Australian Western" overseas. In 1952, 20th Century Fox released the big-budget technicolor film Kangaroo, costing 800,000 pounds and starring Maureen O'Hara and Peter Lawford.
By the 1970s, films like Mad Dog Morgan blended Western themes with Ozploitation (a style of low-budget, high-energy Australian exploitation cinema). The latter half of the century saw major releases such as Ned Kelly (1970) and The Man from Snowy River (1982).
Modern and Revisionist Westerns
Since 1990, the genre has shifted toward "revisionist" or "anti-Western" styles. Films like The Proposition (2005), influenced by Robert Altman and Sam Peckinpah, and Sweet Country (2017) examine the darker side of history, specifically the treatment of Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders, as well as systemic racism and sexism.
Other notable modern entries include The Tracker (2002), Ned Kelly (2003), Australia (2008), The Legend of Ben Hall (2017), and The True History of the Kelly Gang (2019). Even crime films, such as Ivan Sen's Mystery Road (2013), incorporate Western themes.
Recently, director Stephen Johnson has introduced the term "Northern" to describe his film High Ground. Set in the Northern Territory and based on First Nations stories from Arnhem Land, Johnson argues that the film is a "northern action thriller" rather than a Western.
Summary of Key Australian Western Films
| Film Title | Year | Key Characteristic / Category |
|---|---|---|
| The Story of the Kelly Gang | 1906 | Possible world's first feature film; early bushranger |
| The Overlanders | 1946 | British production; marketed as Western overseas |
| Kangaroo | 1952 | Big-budget 20th Century Fox production |
| The Man from Snowy River | 1982 | Example of a "Kangaroo Western" |
| The Proposition | 2005 | Revisionist / Anti-Western |
| Sweet Country | 2017 | Focus on colonial incursions and racism |
| High Ground | Recent | Dubbed a "Northern" action thriller |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a "meat-pie Western"?
A "meat-pie Western" is a term coined by Eric Reade in 1979 to describe Australian films that mirror the style of the "Spaghetti Western," blending local Australian culture with frontier cinematic tropes.
Who was the most frequent subject of early Australian Westerns?
Ned Kelly, Australia's most infamous bank robber, has been a central figure in the genre, appearing in films as early as 1906 and in modern versions as recently as 2019.
Why were bushranger films banned for 30 years?
In 1911 and 1912, the state governments of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia banned depictions of bushrangers, which had a significantly negative effect on the early Australian film industry.
How do revisionist Westerns differ from early bush adventure films?
While early films often focused on adventure and the "good vs. bad" dynamic, revisionist Westerns like Sweet Country and The Proposition critically re-examine Australian history, focusing on racism, sexism, and the treatment of Indigenous peoples.
What is a "Northern" in the context of Australian film?
A "Northern" is a term used by director Stephen Johnson for the film High Ground. It describes a film set in the Northern Territory that immerses the audience in a specific time and place, distinguishing it from the traditional American-influenced Western.