Thomson of Arnhem Land 24 years old

In the 1930s tensions between the government and the Indigenous peoples of Australia's north were on a knife-edge. Donald Thomson, an anthropologist, volunteered to go to Arnhem Land to make peace. For over two years, he lived with the Aboriginal people, forging strong bonds, learning and recording their way of life. His report to the government outlined a vision of land rights and other measures to protect a unique yet fragile culture - it was ignored. Ostracised by politicians and fellow academics, Thomson never gave up the struggle for Aboriginal rights. Now, his extraordinary photographs, field notes and artefacts are considered one of the most significant ethnographic collections in the world.

Credits

Thomson of Arnhem Land Cast

Name Character
Anni Finsterer as Narrator
Peter Bain-Hogg as Elkin
Robert Menzies He was 105, 83 years old when he died as Thomson

Thomson of Arnhem Land Crew

Name Department
John Moore as Director. He was 238 (47) years old when He died Directing
John Moore as Producer. He was 238 (47) years old when He died Production
Michael Cummins as Writer. He was 60 (80) years old when He died Writing
Andrea Lang as Editor. Editing
Thomson of Arnhem Land (24 years)

  • Release day: Thursday, January 20, 2000
  • Runtime: 55 minutes