Buddies is a 1983 Australian comedy/drama film directed by Arch Nicholson and written by John Dingwall.
Contents
Plot
Young miners Mike (Colin Friels) and Johnny (Harold Hopkins) work in the gem fields of central Queensland around Emerald. Conflict arises when their pick-and-shovel operation is threatened by a large-scale bulldozer operator, Andy (Dennis Miller). Help arrives from a city doctor, George (Norman Kaye) and his family, who are passing though on holiday, and a pilot, Alfred (Simon Chilvers), who sells them a plane. The group band together against Andy, but Mike and Johnny argue over strategy and compete for the doctor’s daughter Jennifer's affections (Lisa Peers).
Cast
Colin Friels as Mike
Harold Hopkins as Johnny
Kris McQuade as Stella
Simon Chilvers as Alfred
Norman Kaye as George
Lisa Peers as Jennifer
Bruce Spence as Ted
Andrew Sharp as Peter
Dinah Shearing as Merle
Dennis Miller as Andy
Production
John Dingwall wrote the script and decided to produce it himself. He raised the money with the help of Rex Pilbeam, a former mayor of Rockhampton. Most of the money was raised in Queensland, including investment from the Queensland Film Corporation. Shooting took place on location in Emerald, Queensland and lasted six weeks.
Release
According to Dingwall, the film tested extremely well with audiences but there was a difficulty in marketing it. The film was not a great success in 1983, as no Australian distributor wanted to release it, but Dingwall took it around the country's cinemas himself, where it was well received.
Buddies grossed $81,777 at the box office in Australia, which is equivalent to $215,891 in 2009 dollars.