Splendid Fellows: A dusty, charming mess

Is it worth your time?

If you have a thing for vintage cinema or just want to see what Australian films looked like before they became world-famous, sure. But honestly? If you are looking for tight pacing or acting that doesn't feel like it’s being shouted from the back of a theater, look elsewhere. People who love Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm might find some comfort here, but mostly it is for the completionists.

The Vibe

There is this moment about halfway through where the dialogue just hits a wall. It’s like the writers, Beaumont Smith and Kenneth Brampton, forgot where they were going and just decided to let the actors stand there and smile until the next scene started. It’s painfully awkward, but kind of endearing in a weird way.

The whole thing feels like a stage play that someone accidentally filmed. Everything is very polite, very British, and very, very dusty.

Odd Observations

• The lighting in the exterior shots is all over the place. One minute it’s bright enough to squint, the next it’s like they’re hiding in a cave.
• The extras in the background have absolutely no idea what to do with their hands. It’s hilarious if you watch them instead of the main actors.
• I swear the same bush appears in three different locations.

There is a scene with Eric Colman where he’s trying to look brooding, but you can see him fighting the urge to crack a smile. It stays on him for about five seconds too long. Five seconds is a long time in movie land. It makes the whole dramatic tension evaporate into thin air.

The Verdict?

It’s not a masterpiece. It’s not even a particularly good movie by modern standards. But there is a scrappy energy to it that you just don't get anymore. It feels like someone really wanted to make a movie, so they just went out and did it with whatever they had lying around. Compared to something like Apartment 29, it’s a lot more wholesome, though maybe half as interesting.

Just don’t go in expecting a life-changing experience. Grab a tea, turn your brain off, and enjoy the vintage cheese. ☕️