Buddies

I remember watching this years ago and enjoying it. I see a lot of comments here from a few years ago saying it hasn't been released on DVD. The good news is it now does appear to be available - there are copies on ebay for sale. Might be on other sites too.

This film has been a favorite of mine for over 20 years. I have been to the area this film was made in many times and fossicked for sapphire's, getting a few nice gems. I have tried relentlessly to get a copy of this on DVD or VHS. The national archives for Australian Film in Canberra have told me that the original owner of the rights to this film had not originally released it for sale on these formats. This person has since passed on , and now his family who retain the rights have declined to allow reproduction of this truly Aussie Icon Film. I believe that their doing this is a complete insult to us all, by denying us the opportunity to see this film again. Something should be done about this, as it is a must see film, not to mention the good it could have done for our tourism industry.

I too have seen the movie many years ago and my husband has actually said that it was a great inspiration to him and has created the man he is today. I have been searching for a copy for many years as well and have been severely disappointed that the archives won't copy the one that they have and sell copies of it. Wouldn't you think that if you were part of a movie and people were specifically asking for that movie to re-released then something could be done.There were other movies of equal Australian bloke etiquette value like The Odd Angry Shot and The Last of The Knucklemen and it's a shame that one of the mighty lot is missing.

If anyone does get a copy I'd like one too so please contact me.

This film is an excellent Aussie comedy, loosely hung on the frame of an outback romance. I hadn't seen it for years, but it was (finally) released on DVD in June of 2009 so I raced out and got a copy. I'm pleased to say that viewing it again it is as good as I remember it. If you have a friend with a big screen, watch it on that, the scenery is to die for .

I am so glad that this film is finally available on DVD: http://www.umbrellaent.com.au/products/show/3/1188 Harold Hopkins and Colin Freils are great in this, a real showcase of Australia, anyone is bound to enjoy it. There are 3 clips available in the national archives here: http://aso.gov.au/titles/features/buddies/

I, too, have been looking for it for my father and my tracking has lead me to discover that an American company now owns the rights to Buddies and it is up to them if they re-release it or not. Try contacting the Australian Film Archives and see what details they can give you. The other way is to track down the director, producer and the company that originally released it, JD Productions. The Australian Archives is a good source as well. I am writing to the production company and hopefully get some answers. When I get the answers I will get back and let you know.

Phoenix