Because He's My Friend

Because He's My Friend, also known as Love Under Pressure, is a 1978 Australian TV movie about a married couple and their mentally disabled son. It was one of six telemovies made in Australia as co-productions between ABC and Transatlantic Enterprises.[1] It was the final film of veteran American director Ralph Nelson.

Because He's My Friend
VHS case
Directed byRalph Nelson
Written byPeter Schreck
Based onPamela Stone (story)
Produced byGeoffrey Daniels
StarringKeir Dullea
Karen Black
Jack Thompson
Tom Oliver
Ray Meagher
CinematographyPeter Hendry
Edited byRichard Francis-Bruce
Music byPeter Jones
Production
company
Distributed byABC
Release date
1978
Running time
90 minutes
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish

Plot

Eric, a Canadian naval officer serving with the Royal Navy is transferred to Australia for a submarine training exercise. He moves to Sydney with his wife Anne and their 12-year-old mentally disabled son Petey.

Anne takes her son to a special school, who encourage her to take a firmer line with her son. This results in a clash with Eric.

Cast

Production

Ralph Nelson signed to direct in July.[2]

Shooting took place in Sydney starting August 15 through to October 1977 over six weeks.[3][4] Scenes were shot at Karonga House Special School in Epping in August. Permission had been obtained from the Subnormal Children's Welfare Association. The association was happy to co-operate because the activity of the film unit would be good therapy for children.[5]

Jack Thompson filmed his scenes while on a break shooting his role in The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith.[6]

Reception

The critic from the Sydney Morning Herald said the character of the son was "winning and repulsive at the same time."[7]

Another reviewer for the same paper called it " warm, touching and utterly honest... a darned good movie, and its climax will not disappoint you."[8]

Warwick Poulsen's performance earned him a Logie for Best Performance by a Juvenile.[9]

References
  1. Ed. Scott Murray, Australia on the Small Screen 1970-1995, Oxford Uni Press, 1996 p12
  2. FILM CLIPS: Chabrol Will Direct Sutherland Kilday, Gregg. Los Angeles Times 18 July 1977: f11.
  3. ""There's more to life than a few feet of celluloid"". The Australian Women's Weekly. Australia. 19 October 1977. p. 23. Retrieved 9 January 2020 – via Trove.
  4. "Karen Black — she just has foibles". The Australian Women's Weekly. Australia. 12 October 1977. p. 7. Retrieved 9 January 2020 – via Trove.
  5. "US stars coming here for retarded child film". Sydney Morning Herald. 24 July 1977. p. 73.
  6. Groves, Don (28 August 1977). "Jack's 80 Year Spread". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 92.
  7. Hogan, Christine (5 June 1978). "The Realm of the Retarded". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 12.
  8. Groves, Don (11 June 1978). "Fine Movie to Grip the Heart". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 64.
  9. "Bert Newton wins Gold Gogie". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 17 March 1979. p. 3. Retrieved 9 January 2020 – via Trove.


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