The Castle Review

The Castle

Release Date: 10th April 1997 - Australia

Production Companies

Village Roadshow Pictures (present)

Working Dog Productions (present)

Distribution

Roadshow Films

Genre: Comedy

Rating: M

Runtime: 82 minutes

Budget: A$750,000

Box Office Gross: $10,326,428 (Australia)

Plot Summary

This oddball family, the

Kerrigans, live in a makeshift

home they proudly and

quaintly constructed just

metres from Melbourne's

bustling Tullamarine

airfield. When a zoning

inspector condemns their

house and reveals that the

government plans to use

their land to expand the

airport, Darryl Kerrigan

and his brood recruit hack

lawyer Dennis Denuto and

prepare for the fight of

their lives in the High

Court of Australia.

Cast

Michael Caton - Darryl

Kerrigan

Anne Tenney - Sal Kerrigan

Stephen Curry - Dale Kerrigan

Sophie Lee - Tracey Kerrigan

Anthony Simcoe - Steve

Kerrigan

Wayne Hope - Wayne

Kerrigan

Tiriel Mora - Dennis Denuto

Eric Bana - Con Petropoulous

Costas Kilias - Farouk

Charles 'Bud' Tingwell - Lawrence Hammill QC

Robyn Newell - Federal Court Judge

Bryan Dawe - Ron Graham

Monty Maizels - Jack

Lynda Gibson - Evonne

John Benton - Mr. Lyle

Laurie Dobson - John Clifton

John Lee - Chairman

Stephanie Daniel - Council Officer

John Flaus - Sgt. Kennedy
Ian Ross - Himself
Larry Emdur - Himself

Tony Martin - Adam Hammill

Crew

Writer/Conceiver/Director - Rob Sitch

Writer and Concievers - Santo Clauro,
Tom Gleisner and Jane Kennedy

Executive Producer - Michael Hirsh

Producer - Debra Choate

Casting Director - Jane Kennedy

Production Designer - Carrie Kennedy

Art Director - Ben Morieson

Costume Designer - Kitty Stuckey

Director of Photography - Miriana Marusic

Special Effects - Aaron Beaucaire

Editor - Wayne Heyett

Sound Supervisor - Ian MacWilliams

Re-Recording Mixers - Michael Barry

and Dominick Tavella

Music - Edmund Choi

Review

Until recently, I had never seen the film THE CASTLE except for clips on YouTube. THE CASTLE is renowned as an iconic satirical comedy in Australia, filmed within a very efficient/cost-effective budget. Some may think of it as lacklustre. The movie shows colourfulness slashed with non-political correctness to create a mock-up story of an average family that loves and stays together. The film's great asset is mostly the jokes and repetitive catchphrases, which I find exceedingly funny. Michael Caton is a good-natured, optimistic, lovable dad and husband. A few known actors, like Stephen Curry and future Hollywood man Eric Bana, did very well as each family member with one whose name has become synonymous with other acting greats.

THE CASTLE is a great comedy with well-written humour. I classify this movie as a lighthearted comedy with a spirit and a satirical edge. Highly recommendable for working-class Australians, and I wish you mates a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Star rating: (4/5) Good Movie

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