The Pioneers | |
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Directed by | Franklyn Barrett |
Written by | Franklyn Barrett |
Based on | novel by Katharine Susannah Prichard |
Produced by |
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Starring | Winter Hall |
Cinematography | Franklyn Barrett |
Release date |
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Country | Australia |
Languages |
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The Pioneers is a 1916 Australian silent film directed by Franklyn Barrett. [2] It is considered a lost film. [3]
The film was inspired by The Pioneer , a 1904 painting by Frederick McCubbin of the Heidelberg School movement, also known as Australian impressionism. [4] The film was later remade by Raymond Longford as The Pioneers (1926).
A convict, Dan Farrel, escapes from Van Diemen's Land and throws himself on the mercy of a farming couple, Mary and Donald Cameron. The years pass and Dan becomes a school teacher. He marries and they have a daughter, Dierdre, but his wife dies.
Dierdre grows up and agrees to marry a local pub keeper, McNab, to stop him from revealing that Dan is a convict. McNab still goes to the police and Dan is arrested. Dierdre accidentally kills McNab.
The film was shot in early 1915 near Gosford and in a studio owned by Franklyn Barrett. [6]
Rock Phillips of J. C. Williamson Ltd wrote that the film ushered a new level of professionalism in Australian filmmaking:
The local productions, to date, with the exceptions of, say, half a dozen, have been absolutely ruined by - inferior acting, being badly cast and carelessly dressed. That is only what can be expected when those in charge of the financial part of the business, pay so little for services rendered, there being no inducement for the best class of 'pro' to enter this business. When they offer the capable artist a fair salary commensurate with his or her ability, then, and not till then, will Australian-made pictures hold their own with the best on the other side... The director of tho latest Australian venture in the Movie business has recognised the above, in filming... The Pioneers... Besides getting together a company of well-known players' he is paying them top salaries. Expense is a secondary consideration, the goal aimed at being an evenly and well acted story. [7]
Reviews were generally positive. [8]
William Joseph Lincoln was an Australian playwright, theatre manager, film director and screenwriter in the silent era. He produced, directed and/or wrote 23 films between 1911 and 1916.
The Pioneer is a 1904 painting by Australian artist Frederick McCubbin. The painting is a triptych; the three panels tell a story of a free selector and his family making a life in the Australian bush. It is widely considered one of the masterpieces of Australian art.
Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford is a 1916 Australian silent comedy film directed by Fred Niblo. The film was the first made by the film unit of theatrical firm J. C. Williamson, although it was one of the last to be released. It was Niblo's debut film as a director and is considered a lost film.
Heritage is a 1935 Australian historical film directed by Charles Chauvel.
The Assigned Servant is a 1911 Australian silent film about a convict who is transported to Van Diemen's Land. It was made by the husband-and-wife team of John and Agnes Gavin and is considered a lost film.
The Murder of Captain Fryatt is a 1917 Australian silent film about the execution of Captain Charles Fryatt during World War I from John and Agnes Gavin.
The Pioneers is a 1926 Australian silent film directed by Raymond Longford. The script had been written by Lottie Lyell but she had died by the time filming started. It was considered a lost film but some surviving footage from it has recently emerged.
Walter Franklyn Barrett, better known as Franklyn Barrett, was an Australian film director and cinematographer. He worked for a number of years for West's Pictures. It was later written of the filmmaker that "Barrett's visual ingenuity was to be the highlight of all his work, but... his direction of actors was less assured".
Nurse Cavell is a 1916 Australian feature-length film directed by W. J. Lincoln about the execution of Edith Cavell during World War I. It was also known as Edith Cavell.
Charles Cozens Spencer was a British-born film exhibitor and producer, who was a significant figure in the early years of the Australian film industry. He produced films under the name Spencer's Pictures and was an early backer of the films of Raymond Longford. He was also instrumental in the creation of "The Combine".
The Christian is a 1911 Australian silent film starring Roy Redgrave and Eugenie Duggan. It was the first film directed by Franklyn Barrett. The film was based on Hall Caine's play adapted from his novel The Christian which was published in 1897 and the first British novel to sell one million copies. It is considered a lost film.
A Silent Witness is a 1912 Australian silent film directed by Franklyn Barrett. It is considered a lost film. It was a drama set in Sydney with Cyril Mackay as the hero.
The Life of a Jackeroo is a 1912 Australian silent film directed by Franklyn Barrett. It is considered a lost film.
The Joan of Arc of Loos is a 1916 Australian silent film shot by Franklyn Barrett based on the true story of Émilienne Moreau-Evrard in World War I. Only a portion of the movie survives today.
The Monk and the Woman is a 1917 Australian silent film directed by Franklyn Barrett. It is considered to be lost.
Australia's Peril is a 1917 Australian silent film directed by Franklyn Barrett. It is considered a lost film.
Know Thy Child is a 1921 Australian silent film directed by Franklyn Barrett.
A Rough Passage is a 1922 Australian silent film directed by Franklyn Barrett based on the novel by Arthur Wright. It was Barrett's final feature and is considered a lost film.
West's Pictures was a short-lived Australian film production and exhibition company during the silent era. It was established by English theatrical entrepreneur Thomas James West (1885-1916) who helped turn the company into one of Australia's largest exhibitors. The company also produced a regular newsreel and several narrative films, some made by Franklyn Barrett.
A Man – That's All (1916) is an Australian war film directed by Alfred Rolfe for Australasian Films.