The Overlanders

This was the first film from Ealing Studios to be made in Australia. Producer Balcon sent one of his better directors (Watt) to Australia with orders to find a subject that could well represent the land down under. After spending five months taking in the scenery, Watt met an official of the Federal Food Office. He related a story that took place during WW II. In anticipation of a Japanese invasion the Australian government decided to move over 500,000 head of cattle to a safe location. The drive covered over 2,000 miles and took 15 months. Watt had found the subject he was searching for. The film begins in 1942. A meat-packing plant has been destroyed, and Raffert...