Insight Adelaide was a vastly different place in 1958 to what it is today. It was jokingly refered to as the 'City of Churches' by it's big interstate rivals Melbourne and Sydney. A very conservatitive, quiet place to live in, with pubs that closed at 6:00pm sharp, an underworld element in its west-end of town, high society still flourished, people had other people do their gardening for them and the favourite pass-times were going to the football, cricket, races or tennis. In those days there were two newspapers. The morning paper, The Advertiser, still survives but those great days of The News & Mail are just part of a by-gone era, an era before we could rush home and get the news on television and the pace of the rest of the world, where most of the news came from, dictated that we needed the news first thing in the morning. In those days there was no such thing as equallity for those who weren't white. I know to some that may seem strange but it was unfortunately the case. White supremecy, police corruption, snobbery and a 'hang em high' mentallity was all the rage in staid old Adelaide. Unforunatley while Adelaide is renown for so many good things like our fabulous food, eating precincts, award winning wines and wineries, great beaches and ease of access Adelaide has a dark side. Adelaide isn't just known for the Rupert Maxwell Stuart case. First there was the "Trouro Murders", followed by "The Family" and now "The Bodies in the Barrell", the most hienious crimes in Australia's history. Crimes that make films like the Hannibal Lecter trilogy look tame. Is it little wonder then, a young half caste aboriginal, a transiant from Alice Springs, appears to have been stitched up for a crime which he has continued to claim he was innocent of, to this very day. Adelaide producer Helen Leake had been aware of the Stuart trial for some time and after consolting with director Craig Lahiff called in the celebrated australian screenwriter Louis Nowra. "I too vaguely remembered that in the 1950's an Aboriginal man had been tried for the murder of a young girl in a case that divided society," he said. "I didn't remember much more than that so I read up on the case - an enormous amount was written about it. I could see that there was indeed a great story to be told and I was keen to take it on." Louis headed for the scene of the crime, Ceduna, a seaside town on the states far west coast. Here, while talking to people she realized that the hideous crime still "have very opposed views of whether or not Max was guilty." "Black And White" cleverly uses both sides of the argument depicting these as seen through the eyes of defence lawyer David O'Sullivan [Robert Carlyle] and the SA Crown Solicitor Robert Chamberlain [Charles Dance] and leaves judgement to those in the audience as to whether they think Stuart was innocent or guilty.The period of the day is captured beautifully and never lends itself to criticism. All major players are magnificent, especially David Ngoombujarra as Stuart. David has been seen in a number of films including the recent "Rabbit Proof Fence", "Crocodile Dundee in LA", "Serenades", "Harry's War", "The Missing" and "Blackfellas" for which he won the AFI award as Best Supporting Actor. Charles Dance does such a good job of Roderic Chamberlain that its hard to like the arogant bastard at all. He is driven by a will to succeed, by a narrow view that no matter what is presented Stuart will remain guilty to him. Chamberlain is the epitomy of arrogance feeding on 'class distinction'. He is above the likes of Stuart who, in his eyes, is an uneducated savage. Add to this the fact that Stuart is defended by a solicitor who is beneath him [Chamberlain] both in skill and on the legal feeding chain, that he believes Stuarts case relies on the testimony of witness's who are unreliable [because their position in life is not the equal of his] and you soon get a strong picture of the man. He is a contemptuois man to say the least this Chamberlain. On the other side of the coin there's the seemingly hapless defence lawyer David O'Sullivan. He will garner much admiration and empithy from viewing audiences who see "Black And White". He is "up the creek without a paddle" and for all his enthusiasm and heartfelt belief for Stuart, O'Sullivan is at the mercy of an out of date judicial system and Chamberlain. He gets the big tick though for tenacity. He is as dogged and unswerving in his belief for Stuarts innocence as his well heeled opponent is of Stuarts guilt. Throw into the mix a couple of corrupt coppers [ Roy Billing and Chris Haywood], a catholic priest with a past [Colin Friels], a newspaper owner on a mission [Ben Mendelsohn] a carnival operator gone missing [Andy Anderson], wonderful images recreated of a by-gone era and you have a film which truly epitomizes the spirit that has made the Australian film industry such a great force around the world."Black And White" isn't just for South Australians, it's a film for all Australians. The Story It is Christmas 1958 and in the far west coast town of Ceduna, police are searching for a killer. A young girl, just nine years of age has been raped and brutally murdered. It's not long before they have a suspect in custody and a confession admitting to the rape and killing. Rupert Maxwell Stuart [David Ngoombujarra], an illiterate half caste aboriginal, formerly of Alice Springs has been charged in relation to the heinous crime. David O'Sullivan [Robert Carlyle], a young lawyer, working in a partnership with Helen Devaney [Kerry Fox] draws the short straw. It's a 'legal aid' case, the last thing he needs. What starts out as a murder trial will soon involve the Government of the day, the High Court, the Privy Council and a young newspaper owner named Rupert Murdoch. The case will lead to a Royal Commission and seven stays of execution for the young half caste Max Stuart, who claims he is innocent and that his confession was beaten out of him by corrupt Police Officers working on the case. Against huge odds O'Sullivan battles to keep Stuart from the gallows. Help comes from an unexpected quarter when newspaper owner Rupert Murdoch takes up the cause. Can they succeed? The Verdict "A powerful emotive film for all Australians. Black And White doesn't make a judgement as to Stuarts innocence or guilt, it cleverly leaves that to you, the viewer. It bundles up all the emotions from that by-gone era and creates a feast for the mind and a visual delight. "Black And White" forces you to think, to ponder on the facts, to take sides and believe me you will. "Black And White" is another notch in the belt for the Australian film industry. A Few Film Bytes

LOUIS NOWRA [Writer] .......... Is one of Australia's leading screen writers. He was born in Melbourne but currently lives in Sydney. He wrote the story from which "K-19 The Widowmaker" was adapted into the motion picture starring Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson. He is a prolific writer of novels, stage plays and films. GEOFFRY SIMPSON [Cinematographer] .......... Won an AFI Award and a Film Critics Cirle Award for his work on Gillian Armstrongs "Oscar and Lucinda". Recently he won another AFI Award for that wonderful aussie film "Shine". CEZARY SUBISZEWSKI [Composer] .......... Is one of our countries most admired film composers. His work has delighted us and the AFI who made awards to him for "La Spagnola" and "Bootmen".The "Two Hands" Score won the 2000 APRA Award. BEN MENDELSOHN [Rupert Murdoch] .......... Is well known to aussie audiences and international film lovers for his performance in the thrilling adventure film "Vertical Limits". Long before that he wa showing his talents by winning the AFI Award for Best Supporting Actor when he appeared in "The Year My Voice Broke". Since then he has been nominated on another 3 occassions in the AFI Awards. For me his most memorable performance was in the dark aussie comedy "Mullet". His performance was recognised at the St Tropez film festival where he won the Best Actor Award. CHARLES DANCE [Roderic Chamberlain] .......... A prolific actor with a wealth of talent. How many realize that he appeared in these beauties with some of modern cinemas biggest names. "The Golden Child", "China Moon", "Last Action Hero", "Gosford Park" and something entirely different, "Ali G Indahouse".

The Cast

	David Ngoombujarra Robert Carlyle Charles Dance Kerry Fox Colin Friels Ben Mendelsohn Billie Brown John Gregg Roy Billing Chris Haywood Gary Waddell Heather Mitchell Patrick Duggan Andrew Martin Frank Gallacher Rhys McConnochie Vincent Ball Peter Whitford Donald Macdonald Penny Hackforth-Jones Maxwell Stuart	... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...		Young Max Stuart David O'Sullivan Roderic Chamberlain Helen Devaney Father Tom Dixon Rupert Murdoch Thomas Playford Rohan Rivett Det Sgt Paul Turner Det Sgt Karskens Constable Jones Roma Chamberlain Policeman 1 Policeman 2 Justice Reed Justice Abbott Chief Justice Napier Justice Windyer Lord Tucker Mrs Aston as himself

Directed by Craig Lahiff Screenplay by Louis Nowra Music Composition by Cezary Skubiszwki Production Design by Murray Picknett Costume Design by Anne Marshall Film Editing by Lee Smith Run Time 102 minutes Rated M15+ [AUST] Copyright ©2002 - AB Svensk Filmindustri - All Rights Reserved ©2002 - Impact Internet Services & The Movie Pages - All Rights Reserved