The Getting of Wisdom (1978)

The Getting of Wisdom (1978) (DVD) (*)

Out of Stock

Screened, competed or awarded at:
Australian Film Institute

Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )

Product Origin/Format:
United Kingdom ( PAL/Region 0 )

Running Time:
97 min

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen (1.78:1)

Special Features:
Interactive Menu
Scene Access

Movie filmed in 1978 and produced in:
Australia ( Australia, New Zealand )

Directed By:
Bruce Beresford

Written By:
Bruce Beresford
Henry Handel Richardson
Eleanor Witcombe

Actors:
Julia Blake ..... Isabella Shepherd
Dorothy Bradley ..... Miss Hicks
Kay Eklund ..... Mrs. Rambotham
Max Fairchild ..... Mr. O'Donnell
Jan Friedl ..... Miss Snodgrass
Diana Greentree ..... Maisie Shepherd
Maggie Kirkpatrick ..... Sarah
Monica Maughan ..... Miss Day
Candy Raymond ..... Miss Zielinski
Terence Donovan ..... Tom McNamara
Kerry Armstrong ..... Kate
Celia De Burgh ..... M.P.
Kim Deacon ..... Lilith
Alix Longman ..... Chinky
Jo-Anne Moore ..... Tilly
Barry Humphries ..... Rev. Strachey
John Waters ..... Rev. Shepherd

Synopsis:

Told with a delicate blend of satire and nostalgia, this award-winning coming-of-age tale introduces one of Australian literature's most beloved characters to the screen, Laura Tweedle Rambothan (Susannah Fowle). Chronicling her stormy passage through the sedate halls of an expensive Melbourne finishing school, THE GETTING OF WISDOM delivers a rich and amusing portrait of an imaginative country girl who refuses to be broken to fit the mould of a Victorian-era young lady. Based on the immortal best seller by Henry Handel Richardson, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Bruce Beresford (Don's Party, Breaker Morant), and boasting top-class performances from Barry Humphries, John Waters and future stars Sigrid Thornton and Kerry Armstrong, THE GETTING OF WISDOM is an Australian cinema classic.

The suffocating repressiveness of the Victorian era is superbly realized by director Bruce Beresford in The Getting of Wisdom. Thirteen-year-old Laura (Susannah Fowle), an incorrigible free spirit from the Australian outback, is enrolled in a prestigious girl's boarding school. The indoctrination process is a rough one, and Laura very nearly loses her individuality and sense of self-worth. When she does mature, however, it is on her terms, and not the school's. Intriguingly, The Getting of Wisdom is based on the reminiscences of a 19th-century female writer who used the pen name of Henry Handel Richardson. Despite its somber dramatic overtones, the film contains moments of uninhibited humor, a trademark of director Beresford.

Oscar-nominated director Bruce Beresford (Driving Miss Daisy, Tender Mercies) crafts a tender coming-of-age tale that introduces one of Australian literature's most beloved characters to the screen, Laura Tweedle Rambotham (Susannah Fowle).

This product was added to our catalog on Friday 04 December, 2015.