Harlequin (1980)

Country of Origin: Australia
Year of Production: 1980
Running Times: 95m
Length: 2593.58 metres
Format: 35mm/Panavision (anamorphic)
Colour Format: Eastmancolor
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Sound: mono

DIRECTION

Director: Simon Wincer

PRODUCTION
Copyright: © MCMLXXX [1980] Farlight Investments Pty. Ltd.
Production Companies: William Fayman presents Antony I. Ginnane's production
Made in association with The Australian Film Commission, The Western Australian Film Council, Ace Theatres Pty. Ltd., The Greater Union Organisation Pty. Ltd.
Executive Producer: William Fayman
Producer: Antony I. Ginnane
Associate Producer: Jane Scott

SCRIPT
Original Screenplay: Everett De Roche
Additional Dialogue: Jon George, Neill Hicks
Script Editor: Russell Hagg

DIRECTION
First Assistant Director: Michael McKeag
Second Assistant Director: Grant Harris
Third Assistant Director: Jenny Miles
Continuity: Caroline Stanton

PHOTOGRAPHY
Director of Photography: Gary Hansen
Camera Operator: Peter Moss
Focus Puller: Jan Kenny
Clapper/Loader: Jeremy Robbins
Gaffer: Mick Morris
Best Boy: Reg Garside
Key Grip: Ross Erickson
Grip: Robin Morgan
Video Cameraman: Steve King
Video Facilities: Kingwest
Stills Photographer: Nicholas Clark
Filmed in Panavision

EDITING AND POST-PRODUCTION
Editor: Adrian Carr
Assistant Editor: Stephen Lambeth
Post Production Facilities: The Film House Pty. Ltd.
Laboratory: Colorfilm
Laboratory Liaison: Bill Gooley
Negative Cutter: Margaret Cardin
Grader: Arthur Cambridge

MUSIC
Music Composed and Conducted by: Brian May
Music Assistant: Russell Naughton
Party Band: West Coast Jazz Band

SOUND
Sound Recordist: Gary Wilkins
Boom Operator: Mark Wasuitak
Dubbing Editor: Stephen Lambeth
2nd Dubbing Editor: Terry Rodman
Mixer: Peter Fenton
Mixing Studio: AAV Australia
Engineer: Roger Savage

COSTUMES AND MAKE-UP
Wardrobe Designer: Terry Ryan
Stand-By Wardrobe: Vicki Rowland
Carmen Duncan Dressed by: Maria Finlay, 30 Bay Street, Double Bay
Robert Powell Dressed by: Saba
David Hemmings Dressed by: Rodmil Clothes
Carmen Duncan's Furs Supplied by: Bernard Hammerman of Sydney
Carmen Duncan's Lingerie Supplied by: Elu Lingerie, Double Bay
Jewellery Supplied by: Mazzuchelli's
Make-up Artist: Lois Hohenfels
Hairdresser: Cheryl Williams

SPECIAL EFFECTS
Special Effects: Conrad C. Rothmann
Assistant Special Effects: Chris Murray

TITLES AND OPTICALS
Opticals: Roger Cowland
Titles: Optical & GRaphic

DESIGN AND SET CONSTRUCTION
Production Designer: Bernard Hides
Assistant Art Director: Owen Paterson
Stand-By Props: Clark Munro
Draftswoman: Virginia Bieneman
Construction Manager: Steve Courtley
Construction Crew: Noel Butler, Michael Dore, Michael Langton, Peter Sands, Wayne Smith

OTHER CREW
Production Accountant: Lynn Barker
Production Secretary: Jenny Barty
Assistant to Mr Ginnane: Sylvia Van Wyx
Production Assistant: Dabo Gunzberg
Consultant Magician: Willie Kay
Clown Tricks: Ross Skiffington
Publicist: Lynette Thorburn
Catering: Meals on Heels
Animals: "Spots" the magpie, "Sputnik" the cat
Cars Supplied by: Thrifty Rent-a-Car, DeLuxe Chauffeured Limousines, Chrysler Australia
ARP Synthesiser Courtesy of: Rose Music

LOCATIONS
Locations: Perth, Western Australia, Australia

STUNTS
Stunt Co-Ordinator: Peter West

CASTING
Casting Consultants (U.S.A.): Marvin Paige & Associates

CAST

Robert Powell (Gregory Wolfe)
David Hemmings (Nick Rast)
Carmen Duncan (Sandra Rast)
Gus Mercurio (Mr Bergier)
Alan Cassell (Mr Porter)
Mark Spain (Alex Rast)
Alyson Best (Alice)

and
Broderick Crawford (Doc Wheelan)

Sean Myers (Benny Lucas)
Mary Simpson (Zoe Cayce)
Bevan Lee (Mr Robinson)
Neville Teede (Dr Barthelemy)
Mary Mackay (Miss Edith Twist)
John Frawley (Dr Lovelock)
Nita Pannell (Mabel Wheelan)
David Hough (Mr Jepson)
Klaus Schultz (Arthur)
Peter West (Godfrey)
Maurie Ogden (prison officer)
Jack Ferrari (Eli Steele)
Jeremy Sims, Toby Amor, Sebastian Hunsley (young boy on rafts)
Julia Moody (reporter)
Leslie Wright (Mayor)
Adele Cohen (Mayoress)
Ramsay McLean (broadcaster)

PLOT SUMMARY

In an unnamed country, Senator Rast falls under the influence of the enigmatic stranger Gregory Wolfe who seems to have genuine magical and psychic powers. Wolfe seems benign enough, but as his grip on Rast becomes tighter, Rast's supporters begin to resent his influence and set about engineering Wolfe's downfall.

Australia
Theatrical Distributor: GUO
Video Distributors: CEL Home Video; Video Classics

USA
Theatrical Distributor: New Image
Video Distributor: Media Home Entertainment

Argentina
Rating: 13

Australia
Rating: M

Norway
Rating: 15

USA
Rating: PG

AWARDS

1980
Australian Film Institute, Australia
Best Achievement in Costume Design (Terry Ryan) - nominated
Best Achievement in Editing (Adrian Carr) - nominated
Best Achievement in Production Design (Bernard Hides) - nominated
Best Actress in a Lead Role (Carmen Duncan) - nominated
Best Director (Simon Wincer) - nominated

Catalonian International Film Festival, Sitges, Spain
Medalla Sitges en Plata de Ley Best Cinematography (Gary Hansen) - winner
Best Screenplay (Everett De Roche) - winner
Prize of the International Critics' Jury (Simon Wincer) - winner

1980
March
20: Australia, USA – theatrical release

1981
January
14: France – theatrical release

Arlekin - Polish title
Arlequín - Argentinian title
Dark Forces
Harlekiini - Finnish title
Harlekin - West German title
Harlequin - French title
Minister's Magician, The

REFERENCES

PERIODICALS

Cinema Papers no.19 (January/February 1979) p.215 (Australia)
credits

New Statesman 12 September 1980 (UK)
review (by John Coleman)

NEWSPAPERS

Daily Express 6 September 1980 (UK)
review (by Ian Christie)

Daily Mirror 22 September 1980 (UK)
review (by Pauline McLeod)

Daily Telegraph 5 Septrember 1980 (UK)
illustrated review (by Keith Nurse)

Glasgow Herald 13 October 1980 (UK)
interview with Robert Powell (A star with the confusion by Molly Plowright)

Guardian, The 4 September 1980 (UK)
review (by Hugh Hebert)

Observer, The 7 September 1980 (UK)
review (by Philip French)

Sunday Express 7 September 1980 (UK)
review (by Clive Hirschhorn)

Sunday Telegraph 7 September 1980 (UK)
review (by David Castell)

Western Mail 20 September 1980 (UK)
illustrated review (by Paul Jackson)

OTHER SOURCES

screen
credits

KEYWORDS

birds, cancer, children, healers, illusions, leukemia, magic, politicians, politics, psychics, psychic powers, senators

Last Updated: 20 April, 2010