The Box

Short Film – 1969

Shot without sound, this short was made by teacher turned filmmaker/musician Geoff Murphy and a group of film-loving bohemians, who would soon evolve into countercultural community Blerta. Men in white coats deliver a large wooden box to a shopping centre. Curiosity gets the better of any shopper, kid or pet taking a closer look. A hippy (played by cinematographer Alun Bollinger) swings by and a cop chases Bruno Lawrence's cheeky robber. Murphy's love of explosives is in evidence. The film includes a cameo appearance by the Acme Sausage Company, a name Murphy adopted for early creative projects.

It was the first film I'd directed, other than the 8mm stuff with the kids. We decided that every shot would be a crane shot. I don't know why we would decide that. It was a foolish decision ... anyway we shot it all off the crane, and it was a lot of fun but not a great film...
– Geoff Murphy recalls making The Box in his 2015 autobiography A Life on Film, page 72