THE STORY OF THE KELLY GANG (1906) - Film Screening
Presented with the assistance of NFSA
Sunday 11 February
8:30am AEST
Original Release 1906. Restored Version: 16 Minutes
In 1906, Australia produced The Story of the Kelly Gang, arguably the world’s first commercial feature-length fiction film. Shot on location outside Melbourne, the film traces the life of the legendary Australian bushranger, Ned Kelly.
Originally running at over 60 minutes when it premiered in Melbourne, it went on to thrill audiences across the country and then worldwide.
Like the majority of early Australian cinema, much of the original film has been lost. However, in 2006 thanks to some fortunate discoveries and meticulous restoration work by the NFSA, nearly a quarter of this extraordinary film was pieced together and digitally restored by Haghefilm preservation laboratories in Amsterdam, for contemporary and future generations to enjoy.
This digital restoration of the film brings to life a unique piece of Australian folk history.