ptb-8 Thoroughly engrossing and astonishing in both content and style, HUNT ANGELS tells the amazing story of 30s/40s Australian newsreel style feature director Rupert Kathner and his shyster production methods. Really a valentine to the sideshow level production antics of this shadowy film pioneer whose personal vision of elevating Australian street stories to feature films by cobbling together bumpy produced / poached scenes involving a vast array of unsuitable actors is both hilarious and fascinating. By scheming his way into anyone's confidences he was able to raise (and runaway with) production money that eventually paid his way through some terrible and bewildering entertaining films: mainly THE PYJAMA GIRL MYSTERY and THE GLENROWAN AFFAIR. Presented in the docu-drama style of Australian classics NEWSFRONT and the exquisite ETERNITY, this is a charming and visually enthralling b/w drama plays like one of Kathner's own Ed Wood style features. If it is at a Film Festival near you or seen on a DVD shelf, place HUNT ANGELS atop your must see delights for 2007.

amita-2 The film is a compelling story of a fascinating man but packs in lots of the atmosphere of the 1930s and 40s in Australia. This film shows what you can do with a clever mixture of modern recreations and archival footage that has come to light from digital archives. The director Alec Morgan and his cinematographer have done a great job bringing the people and photographs to life. One of the great effects was adding wings to the film business angels. It is really inspiring for other documentary makers who want to tackle historical issues. Ben Mendelsohn was the stand out performer but was supported well by the women who played his wife and lover.

m-oconnell Hunt Angels opens in a really thrilling and imaginative way and continues with the same audacity, wit and visual cleverness throughout. Its about the attempts of two emerging filmmakers to well, make films. Lack of finances, state censorship and cultural cringe all create obstacles for the intrepid duo, as do their own inner psychological flaws. Great drama or romance? Not quite, more like a lively humorous and real life farce. And a fantastic insight into Australian cultural history, or lack of. Although set in the 30's and 40's in Australia the film shows how really nothing much has changed, with Australian artists facing the same issues now, of trying to tell independent local stories in the face of globalisation (read Americanisation) of culture. Its actually enlivening though, rather than depressing, and confirms and affirms your own creative aspirations. Only one shortcoming; in classic Australian masculinist style, the abandoned wife is completely silent, and the woman partner's lips seem bigger than Angelina's!

benulm62 For anyone who's passionate about films and film making. This is creative storytelling at its best. The compositing of dramatic actors with archive, blended with the memorable film epics of Rupe, takes this into new realm. It's a difficult line to tread, between authentic history and creative licence. Director/writer Alec Morgan tiptoes along that line without a net, and he does it fearlessly. Ben Mendelsohn is great in the lead. No surprises there. This is a fitting tribute to one of film history's unsung heroes. There's a street named after Rupe Kathner in Canberra. He was a footnote, not elevated to the status of legends by Morgan and co. In fact,,this is a better story and film than that other celebrated legend Ed Wood. By the closing credits I just wanted to get out and get involved. Let's make a movie!