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The Big Steal (1990 film)
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Wikipedia article
'The Big Steal' is a 1990 Australian teen comedy film set in Melbourne, Australia directed by Nadia Tass starring Ben Mendelsohn, Claudia Karvan and Steve Bisley. David Parker was the scriptwriter and cinematographer. The film went on to win three Australian Film Institute awards.
Plot
Ben Mendelsohn plays 18 year-old Danny Clark, a young man who looking to increase his cool factor in order to secure the affections of Joanna, played by Claudia Karvan.
Danny offers to take Joanna out for a ride in a Jaguar as a way to impress her, but his actual vehicle is a 1963 Nissan Cedric which Danny knows is not 'cool'. In need of a Jaguar in a hurry, Danny decides to trade the Nissan Cedric for a more impressive vehicle.
Gordon Farkas, a used car salesman played by Steve Bisley, tricks Danny into buying a 1973 Jaguar XJ6. The Jaguar engine, true to form, blows up. After a confrontation which culminates with Joanna leaving Danny, an investigation of the engine reveals it's been swapped by Gordon Farkas. Danny sets about seeking justice and winning back Joanna's affections.
Cast
* Ben Mendelsohn as Danny Clark
* Claudia Karvan as Joanna Johnson
* Steve Bisley as Gordon Farkas
* Marshall Napier as Desmond Clark
* Damon Herriman as Mark Jorgensen
* Angelo D'Angelo as Vangeli Petrakis
* Tim Robertson as Desmond Johnson
* Maggie King as Edith Clark
* Sheryl Munks as Pam Schaeffer
* Lise Rodgers as Mrs. Johnson
* Frankie J. Holden as Frank
* Mark Hennessy as Jimmy
* Roy Edmunds as George
Production
The film was originally known as 'Mark Clark Van Ark'. There were problems raising the money so Tass and Parker mortgaged their house with ANZ Bank, as they did with their first film.David Stratton, 'The Avocado Plantation: Boom and Bust in the Australian Film Industry', Pan MacMillan, 1990 p. 329.
The movie was shot from 6 November to 22 December 1989."Production Survey", 'Cinema Papers', March 1990 p. 72.
Awards
Soundtrack
Music: Chris Gough and Philip Judd.
Includes songs by Philip Judd and Tim Finn, the Makers, Schnell Fenster, Boom Crash Opera, Mental As Anything, Bang The Drum, the Breaknecks, Big Storm and the Front Lawn.
Box office
'The Big Steal' grossed $2,351,628 at the box office in Australia.[http://film.vic.gov.au/resources/documents/AA4_Aust_Box_office_report.pdf 'Film Victoria Australian Films at the Australian Box Office']
Home media
'The Big Steal' was released on DVD by Umbrella Entertainment in October 2003. The DVD is compatible with all region codes and includes special features such as the original theatrical trailer, Umbrella Entertainment trailers, original cast audition tapes, interviews with Nadia Tass, David Parker, Ben Mendelsohn, Claudia Karvan and Steve Bisley as well as audio commentary by Nadia Tass and David Parker.
Umbrella Entertainment released 'The Big Steal' on Blu-ray in September 2021. The Blu-ray is compatible with all region codes, retains the extra features from the DVD release, and includes a new audio commentary by David Parker, moderated by film buff Paul Harris.
Cars Appearing in the Film
* 1973 Jaguar XJ6
* '63 Nissan Cedric
* '74 HJ Monaro GTS coupe
* '89 Nissan Pintara
* '73 Chevrolet Caprice Classic
* '72 Volvo 144
References
Bibliography
* Murray, Scott (editor), 'Australian Film, 1978-1994', Oxford, 1995.Buy The Big Steal (1990 film) now from Amazon
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