35mm The Killing of Angel Street (1981)

Jessica started out fighting for the street. She ended up fighting for her life.

A slippery political thriller lent more social relevance from its basis in real events. The Killing of Angel Street was inspired by the 1975 clash between property developers (backed by corrupt officials and organised crime) and the local community in Victoria, which culminated in several disappearances and alleged murders. Among those who vanished was a Sydney newspaper heiress, who the film's protagonist is clearly modelled after.

Jessica Simmonds (Liz Alexander) returns from overseas to find her father, a retired professor (Alexander Archdale), embroiled in a public battle to save the historic Sydney waterfront houses of Angel Street. When he dies in mysterious circumstances, Jessica joins forces with the Angel Street residents and a union leader (John Hargreaves) against a corrupt developer with powerful friends.

The film's tense portrayal of the battle between corrupt business and the local community gains resonance from its basis in our tragic national history.

Rating

M

Cast

Elizabeth Alexander, John Hargreaves, Reg Lye, David Downer, Caz Lederman, Alexander Archdale

Director

Michael Craig