Director George Whaley
Starring Leo McKern, Joan Sutherland, Geoffrey Rush
Rated G
Score 4/6

Tired of local corruption and the harshness of his life a bushman demonstrates the true Aussie spirit and decides to run for parliament.

For those of you who might be interested Dad and Dave: On our Selection was made to honor Australia’s centenary of film and cinema. Also, this is a remake of director Raymond Longford’s 1920 On our Selection and director Ken G. Hall’s 1932 On our Selection. The movies were adapted from On Our Selection a series of stories written by Australian author Steele Rudd, the pseudonym of Arthur Hoey Davis, in the late 1890s, featuring the characters Dad and Dave Rudd.
Even though Dad and Dave is a comedy, I felt that it really was not capable of delivering some good belly laughs. Though yes there where some funny moments throughout the movie and I enjoyed the running joke with Cranky Jack and his reflection. The scene where the election results are announced gave me a little bit of a chuckle. This is a light-hearted movie and probably the first ‘G rated’ movie that I have reviewed in more than a few years. Though yes some ‘G rated’ movies can be a chore for some older members of the audience to watch, but this is the kind of movie where family is at the heart of the movie and I think that is something everybody can get behind.




I am not that familiar with director George Whaley’s work though the movie has several notable faces such as Leo McKern, Joan Sutherland & Geoffrey Rush. It is interesting to note that this was released one year before Shine (the movie Rush won an Academy Award for Best Actor). The role of “Mum” Rudd was Dame Joan Sutherland’s only feature film role.
From a rivalry between Australian states point of view it is interesting to note that while the movie was set in Queensland the actual movie was filmed in Braidwood New South Wales. For those of you who might not be aware there is a strong sporting rivalry between the New South Wales and Queensland.
What I really liked about Dad and Dave was the overall look of the movie and the movie’s soundtrack. Rediscovering the theme song On Our Selection is probably the main reason why I decided to have a look at this movie. I also enjoyed My Little Concertina, Country Life and It’s a Glorious Life in the Bush.