Storm Boy (film)
Encyclopedia
Storm Boy is a 1976 Australian film based on a children's book, by Colin Thiele
, about a boy and his pelican.
Storm Boy (Greg Rowe
) likes to wander alone along the fierce deserted coast of South Australia's Coorong. He and his father live a reclusive life among the dunes that face out into the Southern Ocean
. After a pelican mother is shot, Storm Boy rescues three chicks; he names them Mr Proud, Mr Ponder and Mr Percival
, and nurses them back to health. His father, known to some as 'Hideaway Tom,' forces Storm Boy to release the birds, but Mr Percival returns. The boy and the pelican form a special bond. Mr Percival is shot by hunters and dies. The story also looks at the conflict between Storm Boy's lifestyle and the externally imposed requirement for him to attend school.
Storm Boy's real name in the film is Mike—the moniker "Storm Boy" was given to him by Fingerbone Bill (David Gulpilil
), an aboriginal man who becomes his friend.
In 2009 the pelican Mr Percival died at Royal Adelaide Zoo. He was 33 years old.
in 2009 dollars.
Colin Thiele
Colin Milton Thiele, AC was an Australian author and educator. He was renowned for his award-winning children's fiction, most notably the novels Storm Boy, Blue Fin, the Sun on the Stubble series, and February Dragon.- Biography :Thiele was born in Eudunda in South Australia to a Barossa German...
, about a boy and his pelican.
Storm Boy (Greg Rowe
Greg Rowe
Greg Rowe was a child actor starring in Australian films such as Storm Boy and Blue Fin , both based on novels by Colin Thiele. His last film was Freedom , directed by Academy Awards Nominee Scott Hicks. He now lives with his wife and two children in Toronto, Canada.- External links :...
) likes to wander alone along the fierce deserted coast of South Australia's Coorong. He and his father live a reclusive life among the dunes that face out into the Southern Ocean
Southern Ocean
The Southern Ocean comprises the southernmost waters of the World Ocean, generally taken to be south of 60°S latitude and encircling Antarctica. It is usually regarded as the fourth-largest of the five principal oceanic divisions...
. After a pelican mother is shot, Storm Boy rescues three chicks; he names them Mr Proud, Mr Ponder and Mr Percival
Mr Percival
Mr Percival was an Australian Pelican, noted for his appearance in the 1976 Australian film Storm Boy. He was one of three trained pelicans used in the film, based on the novel of the same name. He lived at the Marineland aquarium until it closed in 1988, then at the Adelaide Zoo...
, and nurses them back to health. His father, known to some as 'Hideaway Tom,' forces Storm Boy to release the birds, but Mr Percival returns. The boy and the pelican form a special bond. Mr Percival is shot by hunters and dies. The story also looks at the conflict between Storm Boy's lifestyle and the externally imposed requirement for him to attend school.
Storm Boy's real name in the film is Mike—the moniker "Storm Boy" was given to him by Fingerbone Bill (David Gulpilil
David Gulpilil
David Gulpilil Ridjimiraril Dalaithngu , is an Indigenous Australian traditional dancer and actor. His first starring role was Walkabout....
), an aboriginal man who becomes his friend.
In 2009 the pelican Mr Percival died at Royal Adelaide Zoo. He was 33 years old.
Awards
- It was a popular children's film both in Australia and Britain and won a medal at the Moscow Film Festival in 1977 for best children's film.
- It won the Australian Film Institute Award for Best FilmAustralian Film Institute Award for Best FilmThis page lists the winners and nominees for the AACTA Award for Best Film since its institution in 1958. The award is presented annually by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts , an organisation which promotes the Australian film industry. Since the 1958 Australian Film Awards the...
in 1977.
Cast
- Greg RoweGreg RoweGreg Rowe was a child actor starring in Australian films such as Storm Boy and Blue Fin , both based on novels by Colin Thiele. His last film was Freedom , directed by Academy Awards Nominee Scott Hicks. He now lives with his wife and two children in Toronto, Canada.- External links :...
- Peter Cummins
- David GulpililDavid GulpililDavid Gulpilil Ridjimiraril Dalaithngu , is an Indigenous Australian traditional dancer and actor. His first starring role was Walkabout....
- Judy Dick
- Tony Allison
- Michael Moody
- Graham Dow
- Eric Mack
- Frank Foster-Brown
- Michael Caulfield
- Paul Smith
- Hedley Cullen
- Jim Harding
Box Office
Storm Boy grossed $2,645,000 at the box office in Australia, which is equivalent to $13,674,650in 2009 dollars.