The Squatter’s Daughter

For a movie to begin with a statement from the Prime Minister is definitely odd…… but then again, the “Talkies” had only been around for a few years when this movie was made.Nowadays we associate Elgar’s “Land of Hope and Glory” with England… so firmly with England that it seems a little strange to hear it played in association with another land. But it plays during the opening credits of the Squatter’s Daughter.And to what glorious effect!It is the season of sheep shearing. The sheep are being mustered and brought in from the sun-bleached grassy paddocks. On their backs is the chief source of wealth of Australia. The mounted stockmen in their broad-brimmed hats and the patient little dogs circle around the spiralling mass of sheep which grows from tens to hundreds to thousands as the music “Land of Hope and Glory” rolls on. The sunlight filters through the tall gum trees, illuminating the swirling dust, backlighting the surging mob and revealing the mythical Golden Fleece. It is one of the grand, sacred moments of Rural Australia, equal to bringing in the Hay Wain in rural Britain. I could watch these few minutes over and over again!