Autopsy on a Dream 11 years old

In 1968, John Weiley shot 'Autopsy on a Dream' - a film about the Sydney Opera House detailing its construction process and the politics of Jorn Utzon's dismissal. Weiley's film was controversial; it was screened once and then he was told it had been destroyed. Forty five years later a copy was discovered in the BBC vaults by an ABC producer looking for archive footage of the Opera House. Weiley was contacted and told about a film that had no sound track. Weiley was overjoyed; for years he had kept the original sound. So began the painstaking process of restoring this record of a unique moment in Australian culture to its former glory, complete with updated voice-over from the original narrator, Bob Ellis. It is set in context by a 30 minute prologue entitled 'The Dream of Perfection'. Made by the same filmmaker, John Weiley, forty-five years on, 'Dream of Perfection' tells the story of the 1968 film - from commission to destruction, to surprise resurrection.

Credits

Autopsy on a Dream Cast

Name Character
David Attenborough He was 87, now 98 years old as Himself
John Weiley as Himself

Autopsy on a Dream Crew

Name Department
John Maynard as Producer. He was 512 (199) years old when He died Production
John Weiley as Director. Directing
John Weiley as Writer. Writing
Autopsy on a Dream (11 years)

  • Release day: Sunday, October 20, 2013
  • Runtime: 90 minutes