Siege of the South

Siege of the South is a 1931 Australian documentary film by Frank Hurley. It was based on footage taken on the second British Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition (BANZARE) in 1930-31, led by Douglas Mawson[1][2] aboard Discovery, and is the official record of the voyage.[3][4][5]

An earlier film, a silent film under the title Southward Ho with Mawson, released the previous year, recorded the first BANZARE voyage.[2]

The film debuted in Brisbane, Queensland, in October 1931,[6] and was widely screened across Australia during the remaining months of that year.[7] It was described in one source as "100% talkie, and contain[ing] many songs".[8]

Takings from the film contributed to defray the costs of the expedition,[9] and schoolchildren's attendance contributed significantly to the takings. Union Theatres insisted on Hurley travelling with the film to promote it, and Hurley was keen to make the film a box-office success. He even added scenes with Mickey Mouse and penguins listening to a gramophone in order to appeal to children.[2]

When screened in Queensland, it was reported that the film had been recommended by the state education minister for schoolchildren, and the state government had recommended it to the Commonwealth Government.[9]

References

  1. ^ A. F. Pike, 'Hurley, James Francis (Frank) (1885–1962)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/hurley-james-francis-frank-6774/text11715, published first in hardcopy 1983, accessed online 14 April 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Phillips, Morgyn (2012). "Extreme Film and Sound". National Film and Sound Archive. These images were on display at the NFSA in Canberra in 2012 as part of the Extreme Film and Sound exhibition. Prime Possum visited the exhibition and met NFSA curator Morgyn Phillips.
  3. ^ ""Siege Of The South."". The Evening News (Rockhampton). No. 3183. Queensland, Australia. 19 November 1931. p. 9. Retrieved 4 September 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ ""Southward Ho with Mawson"". The Sun News-pictorial. No. 2508. Victoria, Australia. 27 September 1930. p. 2. Retrieved 14 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "SIEGE OF THE SOUTH". The Age. No. 24, 012. Victoria, Australia. 28 March 1932. p. 9. Retrieved 14 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "Successful Bris. Premiere of "Siege of the South"", Everyones, Sydney: Everyones Ltd, 21 October 1931, nla.obj-571189082, retrieved 14 April 2024 – via Trove
  7. ^ "[Advanced search on title, 1 Jan 1931 - 1 Jan 1932]". Trove. 1 January 1931. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  8. ^ ""Siege of the South."". The Morning Bulletin. No. 20, 393. Queensland, Australia. 25 November 1931. p. 4. Retrieved 4 September 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ a b ""Siege of the South."". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay And Burnett Advertiser. No. 19, 037. Queensland, Australia. 29 October 1931. p. 6. Retrieved 4 September 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
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