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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
'Set in the canyons of the Blue Mountains, Monkey Puzzle is the story of a journey. Dylan takes his best friend Carl and three others on a trip to find the world's rarest tree. As they descend into the harsh ravines and canyons, the wilderness closes in on them. They come face to face with haunted pasts, unrequited love and fear of intimacy. They learn hard truths of friendship and find that letting go of the past can have devastating and liberating consequences.'
Source: www.afc.gov.au/ (Sighted 30/09/2008).
Notes
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The promotional trailer for this film is available to view via YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHZZMl2eu-w
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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Patrick White and Film
2013
single work
criticism
— Appears in: JASAL , vol. 13 no. 2 2013; '2011 saw the release of The Eye of the Storm, the first adaptation to the screen of one of Patrick White’s novels. There had been earlier attempts, in particular the long-running saga of Voss, seemingly as doomed to failure as the explorer’s own quest. White’s interest in the theatre was paralleled by his interest in film; he knew that adaptations could boost an author’s reputation and sales. Manuscripts in the National Library of Australia’s White papers reveal that he wrote adaptations of several of his short stories as early as 1963. He did not manage to sell any of these but collaboration with director Jim Sharman in the 1970s led to the production of White’s screenplay of his story ‘The Night, the Prowler’. Inspired by this, White wrote several original screenplays that were never filmed. ‘Monkey Puzzle’, intended as a full-length film, sends up the Australian literary scene as well as Australian films of the period. The shorter 'Kidults' also includes a parody of the film version of My Brilliant Career. (Author's abstract) -
The Making of Monkey Puzzle : Filmmaker Notes
2010
single work
essay
— Appears in: Australian Perspectives Essays 2010; 'Monkey Puzzle follows a group of five young friends who journey into pristine wilderness. The object of their search - the Wollemi Pine - is a "dinosaur" tree. Scientists say it should have gone extinct at the time of the dinosaurs. It didn't. Somehow it clung onto life. For this reason the location of the last remote gully on earth, which hosts this tree, is withheld from the public. The puzzle, that is this rare tree, sets up the film.' (Introduction) -
DVD Reviews
2009
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 14 February 2009; (p. 25)
— Review of Monkey Puzzle 2008 single work film/TV -
It's a Vanity Fair Cop, Guv
2008
single work
review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 25-26 October 2008; (p. 22)
— Review of Monkey Puzzle 2008 single work film/TV -
Jurassic Hunt for Lonely Pine
2008
single work
column
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 21 October 2008; (p. 20)
-
It's a Vanity Fair Cop, Guv
2008
single work
review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 25-26 October 2008; (p. 22)
— Review of Monkey Puzzle 2008 single work film/TV -
DVD Reviews
2009
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 14 February 2009; (p. 25)
— Review of Monkey Puzzle 2008 single work film/TV -
Calling Cut on the Middleman
2008
single work
column
— Appears in: The Australian , 24 September 2008; (p. 16) Local film producers have started turning distributor. -
Jurassic Hunt for Lonely Pine
2008
single work
column
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 21 October 2008; (p. 20) -
Patrick White and Film
2013
single work
criticism
— Appears in: JASAL , vol. 13 no. 2 2013; '2011 saw the release of The Eye of the Storm, the first adaptation to the screen of one of Patrick White’s novels. There had been earlier attempts, in particular the long-running saga of Voss, seemingly as doomed to failure as the explorer’s own quest. White’s interest in the theatre was paralleled by his interest in film; he knew that adaptations could boost an author’s reputation and sales. Manuscripts in the National Library of Australia’s White papers reveal that he wrote adaptations of several of his short stories as early as 1963. He did not manage to sell any of these but collaboration with director Jim Sharman in the 1970s led to the production of White’s screenplay of his story ‘The Night, the Prowler’. Inspired by this, White wrote several original screenplays that were never filmed. ‘Monkey Puzzle’, intended as a full-length film, sends up the Australian literary scene as well as Australian films of the period. The shorter 'Kidults' also includes a parody of the film version of My Brilliant Career. (Author's abstract) -
The Making of Monkey Puzzle : Filmmaker Notes
2010
single work
essay
— Appears in: Australian Perspectives Essays 2010; 'Monkey Puzzle follows a group of five young friends who journey into pristine wilderness. The object of their search - the Wollemi Pine - is a "dinosaur" tree. Scientists say it should have gone extinct at the time of the dinosaurs. It didn't. Somehow it clung onto life. For this reason the location of the last remote gully on earth, which hosts this tree, is withheld from the public. The puzzle, that is this rare tree, sets up the film.' (Introduction)
Last amended 13 Nov 2012 09:30:57
Settings:
- Blue Mountains, Sydney, New South Wales,
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