Somebody Else's Horizon

Made for the 75th anniversary of the Tourist and Publicity Department, this National Film Unit short film surveys New Zealand tourism: from shifts in transport and accommodation, to how Aotearoa is marketed. The "romantic outpost of Empire" seen in 1930s promotional films gives way to a more relaxed, even saucy pitch, emphasising an uncrowded, fun destination. Middle-earth is not yet on the horizon; instead Wind in the Willows provides literary inspiration. Directed by Hugh Macdonald (This is New Zealand), it screened alongside Bugsy Malone and won a Belgian tourist festival award.

I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it — the film actually portrays our magnificent tourist assets as fun.

– Evening Post review of the film, by Diana Dekker

Key Cast & Crew

Kit Rollings

Sound

Bernard Kearns

Narrator

Hugh Macdonald

Director, Writer, Editor

Tom Williamson

Producer

Hendrik Prins

Rostrum Camera

Roy Lantz

Film Research