The Big Steal (1990 film)
Encyclopedia
The Big Steal is a 1990 Australia
n caper film directed by Nadia Tass
starring Ben Mendelsohn
, Claudia Karvan
and Steve Bisley
. David Parker
was the scriptwriter and cinematographer. The film won three Australian Film Institute
awards.
Unfortunately for Danny, when he finally gets the courage up to ask Joanna out, he somehow manages to promise her a ride in his new Jaguar. She isn't particularly impressed by cars, but still agrees to his invitation. The problem is, Danny doesn't own a Jag. His form of transport is his recently received birthday present - and it most certainly isn't a Jaguar. His eccentric parents have decided to pass on their pride and joy to Danny for his use. Their 1963 Nissan Cedric
has been in the family for years and is immaculate, but extremely uncool. Danny is aghast at the thought of driving around in a car as dorky as a Cedric, and with the promise of a date with Joanna and the need for a Jaguar in a hurry, decides to trade in the old Nissan. He heads out to search the car yards to find his dream machine.
In a role of pure sleaze Steve Bisley plays Gordon Farkas, the villainous used car salesman. He is the sort of dealer who results in car salesmen being consistently ranked last on a survey of trust and ethics in careers. Spotting Danny admiring a used 1973 XJ6 in the lot, Farkas pounces and uses all his charm, cunning, and every used-car salesman trick in the book to convince Danny that this is the car for him. With the deal done and the Cedric gone, Danny heads home with his new pride and joy. But this is where things start to unravel. His father is not impressed about losing the Cedric, and while out on his long-awaited date with Joanna, the Jag's engine blows up. Danny is shattered, particularly when he upsets Joanna and she leaves him stranded alone in the empty streets with a broken-down car. Closer inspection reveals the engines had been swapped after Danny had signed the contract, with a dud motor put in his car. Realising he's been done-over by the crooked Farkas, Danny and his mates hatch a plan to get revenge over the shonky car salesman and hopefully win back the hand of the lovely Joanna.
(AFI) for 1990.
and Philip Judd.
Includes songs by Philip Judd and Tim Finn
, The Makers
, Schnell Fenster
, Boom Crash Opera
, Mental As Anything, Bang The Drum, The Breaknecks, Big Storm and The Front Lawn
.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n caper film directed by Nadia Tass
Nadia Tass
Nadia Tass is a film director, producer and actress, originally from Macedonia, northern Greece, who moved to Australia in the 1960s. She began her career as an actress appearing in the television series Prisoner. Ms...
starring Ben Mendelsohn
Ben Mendelsohn
Paul Benjamin "Ben" Mendelsohn is an Australian actor.-Early life:Mendelsohn was born in Melbourne, Australia, the son of Carole Ann and Frederick Mendelsohn. He attended Heidelberg Primary School and Banyule High School. His father is a prominent medical researcher who heads the Howard Florey...
, Claudia Karvan
Claudia Karvan
Claudia Karvan is an Australian actress popular for her roles in the television series The Secret Life of Us and Love My Way. She is also a producer and writer on Love My Way. She currently stars in the drama series Spirited...
and Steve Bisley
Steve Bisley
Steve Bisley is an Australian film and television actor, who attended the National Institute of Dramatic Art .-Acting career:...
. David Parker
David Parker (director)
David Parker is an Australian cinematographer, film producer, screenwriter and film director.Films written by Parker include Malcolm, Rikky and Pete, The Big Steal, and Amy. He has directed two films, Hercules Returns and Diana and Me.He is married to Nadia Tass-External links:* at...
was the scriptwriter and cinematographer. The film won three Australian Film Institute
Australian Film Institute
The Australian Film Institute was founded in 1958 as a non-profit organisation devoted to developing an active film culture in Australia and fostering engagement between the general public and the Australian film industry...
awards.
Plot
In his first leading role Ben Mendelsohn plays Danny Clark, a bumbling eighteen-year-old guy. He knows what it takes to be cool and have some style, it's just that he seems to struggle to get there. Danny has enthusiasm and passion and only wants two things more than anything in the world. A Jaguar XJ6 and a date with the gorgeous Joanna Johnson (an early role for then 17-year-old Claudia Karvan). Get these and his life will be complete.Unfortunately for Danny, when he finally gets the courage up to ask Joanna out, he somehow manages to promise her a ride in his new Jaguar. She isn't particularly impressed by cars, but still agrees to his invitation. The problem is, Danny doesn't own a Jag. His form of transport is his recently received birthday present - and it most certainly isn't a Jaguar. His eccentric parents have decided to pass on their pride and joy to Danny for his use. Their 1963 Nissan Cedric
Nissan Cedric
The Nissan Cedric is a large automobile produced by Nissan since 1960. It was developed to provide upscale transportation, competing with the Prince Skyline and Gloria which were later merged into the Nissan family...
has been in the family for years and is immaculate, but extremely uncool. Danny is aghast at the thought of driving around in a car as dorky as a Cedric, and with the promise of a date with Joanna and the need for a Jaguar in a hurry, decides to trade in the old Nissan. He heads out to search the car yards to find his dream machine.
In a role of pure sleaze Steve Bisley plays Gordon Farkas, the villainous used car salesman. He is the sort of dealer who results in car salesmen being consistently ranked last on a survey of trust and ethics in careers. Spotting Danny admiring a used 1973 XJ6 in the lot, Farkas pounces and uses all his charm, cunning, and every used-car salesman trick in the book to convince Danny that this is the car for him. With the deal done and the Cedric gone, Danny heads home with his new pride and joy. But this is where things start to unravel. His father is not impressed about losing the Cedric, and while out on his long-awaited date with Joanna, the Jag's engine blows up. Danny is shattered, particularly when he upsets Joanna and she leaves him stranded alone in the empty streets with a broken-down car. Closer inspection reveals the engines had been swapped after Danny had signed the contract, with a dud motor put in his car. Realising he's been done-over by the crooked Farkas, Danny and his mates hatch a plan to get revenge over the shonky car salesman and hopefully win back the hand of the lovely Joanna.
Cast
- Ben Mendelsohn as Danny Clark
- Claudia Karvan as Joanna Johnson
- Steve Bisley as Gordon Farkas
- Marshall Napier as Desmond Clark
- Damon Herriman as Mark Jorgensen
- Angelo D'Angelo as Vangeli Petrakis
- Tim Robertson as Desmond Johnson
- Maggie KingMaggie King-Filmography:*The Saddle Club – Dr. Judy Barker*MDA – Prun Jansen*Crackers – Violet 'Vi' Hall*Blue Heelers – Mary Chalmers*Good Guys Bad Guys: Only the Young Die Good – Bookie's Wife*Snowy River: The McGregor Saga – Mrs. Fowler...
as Edith Clark - Sheryl MunksSheryl MunksSheryl Munks is an Australian actress.She is best known to audiences for her role as "Brumby" Tucker in the television series Prisoner....
as Pam Schaeffer - Lise Rodgers as Mrs. Johnson
Awards
The film won the Best Screenplay (David Parker & Max Dann), Best Original Music Score (Phil Judd) and Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Steve Bisley) and was nominated for 6 more Awards at the Australian Film InstituteAustralian Film Institute
The Australian Film Institute was founded in 1958 as a non-profit organisation devoted to developing an active film culture in Australia and fostering engagement between the general public and the Australian film industry...
(AFI) for 1990.
Soundtrack
Music: Chris GoughChris Gough
Chris Gough is the managing director of Mana Music and Native Tongue, a music publishing company with offices in Australia and New Zealand. Writers signed to Native Tongue include Don McGlashan, David Long and Philip Judd....
and Philip Judd.
Includes songs by Philip Judd and Tim Finn
Tim Finn
Brian Timothy "Tim" Finn, OBE is a New Zealand singer and musician. Finn is most known for his music with New Zealand 1970s and 1980s rock group Split Enz, and later for his solo work, a temporary membership in his brother Neil's band Crowded House and his joint efforts with Neil Finn as the Finn...
, The Makers
The Makers (Australian band)
The Makers was a band formed by ex-Split Enz keyboardist Eddie Rayner and Australian musician and singer Brian Baker.They formed around 1988 after recording the tracks for the Ricky and Pete soundtrack. The self-titled debut album 'The Makers' was released in 1989, with three singles released from...
, Schnell Fenster
Schnell Fenster
Schnell Fenster was a Melbourne-based band, formed in 1986 by members of Split Enz after the breakup of that band. Tentatively named "The Wanx", the band selected their name, which is German for "fast window" , because it "appealed to [their] perversity".The band also formed the core of the members...
, Boom Crash Opera
Boom Crash Opera
Boom Crash Opera are a pop-rock band formed in Melbourne, Australia in 1985. Initially based around the songwriting partnership of Richard Pleasance and Peter Farnan Boom Crash Opera also includes Dale Ryder , Peter 'Maz' Maslen , Greg O'Connor and Ian Tilley Boom Crash Opera are a pop-rock band...
, Mental As Anything, Bang The Drum, The Breaknecks, Big Storm and The Front Lawn
The Front Lawn
The Front Lawn was a New Zealand musical/theatrical duo formed by Don McGlashan and Harry Sinclair. From 1989-90, they were joined by Jennifer Ward-Lealand. Their song Andy appeared at number 82 in the Top 100 New Zealand Songs...
.