Travelling North *** (1987, Leo McKern, Julia Blake, Graham Kennedy, Henri Szeps) – Classic Movie Review 11,001

Director Carl Schultz’s poignant and thoughtful 1987 comedy drama Travelling North stars Leo McKern, who returns to his native Australia to star as Frank, a curmudgeonly ex-communist who falls in love with elegant middle-aged divorcee Frances (Julia Blake) and retires with her to a lakeside cottage in the North Queensland countryside.

But the idyll is broken when Frank (McKern) has a heart attack.

It is a sad tale, but endearing performances and considerable humour leaven the gritty theme in David Williamson’s straightforward adaptation for the screen of his own play, and there is sharp direction by Schultz.

There are two previous films based on a play by David Williamson: Don’s Party (1976) and The Club (1980), both directed by Bruce Beresford. Graham Kennedy is in all three films.

Also in the cast are Graham Kennedy, Henri Szeps, Michelle Fawdon, Diane Craig, Andrea Moar, Drew Forsythe, John Gregg, Rob Steele, John Black, Roger Oakley, Joe MacColum, Nick Holland, and Steve Shaw.

Leo McKern (1920–2002).

Although he usually sounded so English, Leo McKern was an Australian, born in Sydney, New South Wales, on 16 March 1920. When he was 15, he had an accident that left him without his left eye, replaced by a glass eye.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,001

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