Landfall - A Film about Ourselves

In this experimental drama shot in 1975, four young idealists escape the city for rural Foxton, and set about living off the land. But an act of violence sends the commune into isolation and extremism. Teasing tense drama from rural settings, the 90 minute tale from maverick National Film Unit director Paul Maunder shines a harsh light on the contradictions of the frontier spirit. Although state television funded it, they found it too edgy to screen; instead Landfall debuted at the 1977 Wellington Film Festival. The cast includes Sam Neill as a Vietnam vet, and Mark ll director John Anderson.

Landfall was an attempt to find a modern parable for the story of the founding of this country. It was intended to be a film about ourselves, as we find ourselves, here and now, and occasionally wonder why.

– Director Paul Maunder, in the programme for the 1977 Wellington Film Festival

Key Cast & Crew

Paul Maunder

Director, Writer, Editor

John Anderson

As: John

Lynton Diggle

Cinematographer

Sam Neill

As: Eric

David H Fowler

Producer

Russell Duncan

As: Tramp