My Brilliant Career [Blu-ray]

Director: Gillian Armstrong Gillian Armstrong

Overview

Both actress Judy Davis and director Gillian Armstrong made a big splash on the international scene with this charming Australian film that examines late 19th century Australian society from the perspective of a headstrong woman who refuses to follow convention. The film charts the developing self-awareness of Sybylla Melvyn (Judy Davis) as she grows from an insecure tomboy to a self-assured woman. Sybylla wants to be a writer and stuns her family and friends by her insistence on following her dream. Despite the objections of her family acquaintances, she rejects the marriage proposal from the rich Harry Beecham (Sam Neill) to continue going her own way, in spite of the odds stacked against her in a repressive Victorian environment.

Product Details

Release Date:	11/23/2009
UPC:	0827058700993
Original Release:	1979
Rating:	NR
Source:	Blue Underground
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Surround EX, Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:40:00
Sales rank:	37,436

Special Features

Audio commentary with director Gillian Armstrong; Interview with director Gillian Armstrong; Interview wiht producer Margaret Fink; Cannes Film Festival Premiere featuring star Judy Davis, director Gillian Armstrong and producer Margaret Fink; The Miles Franklin Story; Theatrical trailers

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Judy Davis	Sybylla Melvyn
Sam Neill	Harry Beecham
Wendy Hughes	Aunt Helen,Peter McSwat,Peter McSwat
Robert Grubb	Frank Hawdon
Max Cullen	Mr. McSwat
Patricia Kennedy	Aunt Gussie
Aileen Britton	Grandma Bossier
Peter Whitford	Uncle Julius
Carole Skinner	Mrs. McSwat
Alan Hopgood	Father
Julia Blake	Mother
Tina Robinson	Lizer McSwat
Aaron Corrin	Jimmy McSwat
Sharon Crouch	Sarah McSwat
Simone Buchanan	Mary Anne McSwat
Haylely Anderson	Rosie Jane McSwat
David Franklin	Horace
Aaron Wood	Stanley
Marion Schad	Gertie
Max Meldrum	Mr. Harris
Suzanne Roylance	Biddy
Zelda Smyth	Ethel
Bobbie Ward	Mrs. Butler
Amanda Pratt	Blanche Derrick
Robert Austin	Willie McSwat
Gerry Duggan	Squatter
Ray Meagher	Mailman
Mark Spain	Tommy McSwat
Dorothy St. Heaps	Mrs. Derrick
Nathan Waks	Composer

Technical Credits

Eleanor Witcombe

Gillian Armstrong	Director
Margaret Fink	Producer
Eleanor Witcombe	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

1979 was a timely year for a challenging feminist film about an unconventional woman bucking a conservative society. It was also the height of the Australian cinema's New Wave. Director Gillian Armstrong was therefore perfectly positioned to score with her first feature film, about a proto-feminist heroine in early 20th century Australia. The heroine was played by Judy Davis with an engaging determination that helped Armstrong's picture win international attention. With its deliberate pace and thoughtful attention to detail, My Brilliant Career was a surprise hit that launched both Davis and Armstrong to stardom. It was also helped by a fine performance from Sam Neill as the heroine's suitor.