Northern Safari
| Northern Safari | |
|---|---|
 US poster | |
| Directed by | Keith Adams |
| Written by | Keith Adams |
| Produced by | Keith Adams |
| Starring | Keith Adams, Audrey Adams, Margaret Adams |
| Narrated by | Keith Adams |
| Cinematography | Keith Adams |
| Edited by | Keith Adams |
| Distributed by | Self-distributed[1] |
Release date |
|
Running time | 121 minutes |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
Northern Safari is a 1956 Australian documentary film produced, directed, and narrated by adventurer Keith Adams. The film chronicles a six-month journey undertaken in 1955 by Adams, his wife Audrey, his sister Margaret, and their fox terrier, Tiger. The expedition traversed from Perth across the Gibson Desert to the Gulf of Carpentaria, capturing the diverse landscapes and wildlife of Australia's remote regions.[2]
Northern Safari is widely considered the first Australian nature adventure film, predating the works of later Australian adventurers and filmmakers such as Malcolm Douglas, the Leyland Brothers, Harry Butler, and Steve Irwin.[2]
Synopsis
[edit]The film documents the Adams family's ambitious journey in a 1948 Buick fitted with a diesel engine, extra springs, and large tyres. They navigate through some of Australia's most isolated and challenging terrains, including the Gibson Desert and areas surrounding the Gulf of Carpentaria. Along the way, they encounter and often hunt various Australian fauna, showcasing the country's natural history from a mid-20th-century perspective. The narrative is interspersed with scenes of vehicle breakdowns, river crossings, and interactions with wildlife, providing a glimpse into the adventurous spirit of the era.[2]
Production
[edit]Keith Adams, a diesel engineer and part-time professional crocodile hunter, embarked on this journey to document the Australian outback's untamed beauty. Using a handheld 16mm camera, Adams captured the expedition's challenges and discoveries. The film's informal and friendly commentary style adds a personal touch, introducing viewers to the crew and their experiences. Notably, the film includes footage of Adams handling a funnel-web spider and poisonous caterpillars, as well as the hunting and skinning of a saltwater crocodile.[2][3][4]
Release and reception
[edit]Upon its release in 1956, Northern Safari achieved significant success.[5] Adams self-distributed the film, presenting it across Australia and internationally, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Rhodesia, and New Zealand.[1][6] The film's amateurish quality and naïve charm resonated with audiences, offering a unique glimpse into Australia's remote landscapes long before such content became mainstream. Over three decades, Adams showcased the film to packed houses, becoming a millionaire in the process.[7]
Legacy
[edit]Northern Safari serves as a time capsule, reflecting the culture, views, and attitudes of 1950s Australia. It remains a significant piece of Australia's cinematic history, illustrating the nation's adventurous spirit and the allure of its vast outback.[7][8] The film inspired Greg McLean's 2007 crocodilian horror film Rogue.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Sandra Hall (17 February 1968). "Dividends from 'the you beaut country'". The Bulletin. Vol. 89, no. 4589. p. 63. ISSN 0007-4039. Retrieved 13 February 2025 – via Trove.
- ^ a b c d "Northern Safari (1956)". Australian Screen Online. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
- ^ Phillip Adams (10 February 1968). "Engineering Achievement". The Bulletin. Vol. 89, no. 4588. p. 65. ISSN 0007-4039. Retrieved 13 February 2025 – via Trove.
- ^ "Croc safari: Why selling licences to rich hunters isn't fair". ABC News. 20 September 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
- ^ "'Northern Safari' in Port Lincoln". Port Lincoln Times. Vol. XLIV, no. 2311. 24 December 1970. p. 19. Retrieved 13 February 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Crocodile safari man: my Tasmanian childhood in the Great Depression & 50 years of desert safaris to the Gulf of Carpentaria 1949-2003 / Keith Flexmore Adams". National Library of Australia (Library catalogue record). Retrieved 13 February 2025.
- ^ a b Brennan, Claire (2017). "Australia's Northern Safari". M/C Journal. 20 (6). Retrieved 12 February 2025.
- ^ Jack Bassett (January 1969). "Lyrical Borroloola". Walkabout. Vol. 35, no. 1. pp. 22–23. ISSN 0043-0064. Retrieved 13 February 2025 – via Trove.
- ^ Nash, Cara (10 November 2017). "Dark Waters: The Making Of Rogue". FilmInk. Retrieved 13 February 2025.