Ozploitation
The 1970s marked the rise of a New Wave in Australian cinema, with sophisticated films like Walkabout, Picnic at Hanging Rock, and The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith leaving a lasting impression. This era also saw the introduction of Australia’s R rating, which offered low-budget filmmakers an opportunity to push boundaries. What followed was an explosion of sex, and plenty of it, action, kung fu, stunts, horror, violence, and dystopian sci-fi.
The excellent 2008 documentary Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation! coined the term Ozploitation, and the rest is history.
For classy Aussie films, explore Australia. And if you’re looking for Mad Max, check out Dystopian and Post-Apocalyptic.
Links take you to the IMDd. Circled titles: A Point Blank Films fav!
The ABC of Love and Sex: Australia Style (1978) 4/10
Aussie version of a Swedish educational skin flick bookended by leotard-clad dancers that despite the obvious cringe factor has a refreshingly liberal perspective.
The Adventures of Barry McKenzie (1972) 5/10
Outrageously crude comedy that was savaged by critics – disjointed and highly episodic, it is refreshingly non-PC and features an early Dame Edna appearance.
Strong Aussie horror about a teenage girl subjected to a sinister ritual planned for her 19th birthday – unsubtle but effective.
Alvin Purple (1973) 5/10
A waterbed salesman is irresistible to women in comedic Aussie romp that was a huge hit in its home country. aka The Sex Therapist
Australia After Dark (1975) 3/10
Aussie mondo that is just an excuse to show nudity; it runs out of interest quickly.
Barry McKenzie Holds His Own (1974) 3/10
Barrage of sexism, racism, drinking and shagging that will make you want to crack open a Foster’s.
Bloodmoon (1990) 2/10
Dire Aussie slasher that spends most of the runtime focussed on teenage soap operatics. See also Slashers
Body Melt (1993) 6/10
Incoherent but wild Aussie horror filled with slimy moments but at its best when focussed on suburban satire. See also Body Horror
The Chain Reaction (1980) 6/10
Almost a good conspiracy thriller – The China Syndrome meets Mad Max – but the plot is too thin, focussing on car chases and nude frolics, and it doesn’t show off its excellent soundtrack.
Dark Age (1987) 6/10
Unpretentious giant crocodile flick with some dicey acting but fine moments and Aboriginal atmosphere. See also Creature Features
Day of the Panther (1988) 4/10
Edward John Stazak has no charisma but knows martial arts and has nice pectorals which was enough to market this to kids at the video store.
Another Brian Trenchard-Smith dystopian flick, with a message that wallops you over the head, but great run-down location, stunts and general anarchy.
Fair Game (1986) 6/10
Revengesploitation Aussie style – unabashed trash, but effectively made, with dusty outback setting.
Fantasm (1976) 4/10
Aussie send-up of sex ed films that is just a series of soft vignettes, one starring John Holmes – but raunchy enough to be a big hit in the conservative milieu of 1970s Australia. aka World of Sexual Fantasy
Fantasm Comes Again (1977) 4/10
More sexy vignettes, filmed in LA with real porn stars such as John Holmes.
A weird handyman is a serial killer in Aussie thriller with bad acting and no suspense.
Long Weekend (1978) 9/10
Superb Aussie eco horror which despite a low budget rises well above others of its genre and remains a highly effective forgotten classic, building a genuine sense of dread. See also Nature Runs Amok
The Man from Hong Kong (1975) 6/10
Brian Trenchard-Smith throws everything but the kitchen sink into his first feature, including a James Bond-esque theme song, chopsocky, stunts, and mindless mayhem in Uluru, Hong Kong and Sydney. aka The Dragon Flies See also Chopsocky
Next of Kin (1982) 8/10
Superior Aussie horror set in a retirement home, with excellent atmosphere, direction, and a surprising ending.
Nightmares (1980) 4/10
Aussie attempt at a slasher set in a theatre that replaces originality with graphic violence, nudity and sex (usually at the same time). aka Stage Fright See also Slashers
Patrick (1978) 7/10
Effective, unpredictable Hitchcockian horror about telekinesis, which was all the rage in the 1970s – a little long, but another underrated Aussie entry.
Razorback (1984) 7/10
Giant-pig-on-the-loose Aussie thriller with dizzying direction, superb cinematography and great outback characters meeting a violent end. See also Creature Features
Roadgames (1981) 7/10
Stacy Keach and Jamie Lee Curtis star in Hitchcockian potboiler about a cat-and-mouse game on the Aussie highways. aka Road Games
Stone (1974) 6/10
Uneven, low-budget Aussie biker flick that makes up for any shortcomings with plenty of action, nudity and violence – an important entry in the Ozploitation cycle. See also Bikesploitation
Strike of the Panther (1988) 4/10
Filmed back-to-back with Day of the Panther – more clichéd martial arts from Down Under.
Stunt Rock (1978) 5/10
Ozploitation from Brian Trenchard-Smith without a plot to speak of – it’s just a series of great stunts by Grant Page and bad rock by a band named Sorcery, which gets tedious after 30 minutes.
Thirst (1979) 6/10
Aussie update of the Elizabeth Báthory legend with international stars such as David Hemmings and Henry Silva; original, bloody, and a semi cult classic. See also Vampires
Turkey Shoot (1982) 6/10
In a totalitarian future Australia, deviants are held in re-education camps, and Brian Trenchard-Smith adds enough violence and nudity to ensure this is trashy fun. aka Escape 2000