BMX BANDITS
<1982>
Dir: Brian Trenchard-Smith
Writers: Patrick Edgeworth
Russell Hagg
Review by: Ashley Jay Meaden <30339062>
CAST
David Argue - Whitey
John Ley – Moustache
Nicole Kidman – Judy
Angelo D’Angelo – PJ
James Lugton – Goose
Bryan Marshall – The Boss
Brian Sloman – The Creep
Peter Browne – Police constable
Bill Brady – Police Sergent
Linda Newton – Policewoman
Bob Hicks – Heavy 1
Guy Norris – Heavy 2
Chris Hession – Heavy 3
Norman Hodges – Drunk
Tracey Wallace – Buxom Lady
Michael Gillette – Vicar
Brian Best – Supermarket manager
Jerry D’Angelo – Boy 1
Malcolm Day – Boy 2
Ray Marshall – Foreman
Patrick Mansfield – Crane Driver
Alan McQueen– Workman
Anthony Alafaci – Fat kid
Craig Hopcroft – Kid 1
Marty Irwin – Kid 2
Fiona Gage – Young girl
Paul Flaherty – Businessman
Andy Clarke – Man with Mattress
Claude Lambert – Trendy Delivery man
Rocky McDonald – Man on escalator
Deanne North – Lady golfer
Wayne Pearce – Man on ladder
Avril Wynne – Waitress
Chris Galletti – Road gang foreman
Jeff Brown – Worker
Gavin Critchley – Frasers Foam Man 1
Jack Morton – Frasers Foam Man 2
PRODUCTION STAFF AND CREW
Produced by
Tom Broadbridge – producer
Brian Burgess – associate producer
Paul F. Davies– producer
Original music by
Colin Stead
Frank Strangio
Cinematography by
John Seale
Film editing by
Alan Lake
Casting by
Susie Maizels
Production design by
Ross Major
Costume design by
Lesley McLennan
Makeup Department
Sally Gordan – makeup artist
Willi Kenrick – hair stylist
Production Management
Carolynne Cunningham – production manager
Second Unit or Assistant Director
Roxanne Delbarre – fourth assistant director
Bob Howard – first assistant director
Ian Kenny – second assistant director
Murray Robertson – third assistant director
Art Department
Derrick Chetwyn – property buyer
Danie Daems – construction supervisor
Igor Lazareff – stand-by props
Terry Lord – construction worker
Sound Department
Gethin Creagh – sound mixer
Andrew Cunningham – assistant sound effects editor
Ken Hammond – sound recordist
Phil Judd – sound mixer
Robin Judge – assistant sound editor
Steve Miller – boom swinger
John Patterson – post-production sound
Andrew Steuart – supervising sound editor
Jim Walker – sound effects editor
Special Effects by
David Hardie – special effects technician
Chris Murray – special effects co-ordinator
Visual Effects by
Roger Cowland
Stunts
Bob Hicks – stunt co-ordinator
Robbie Moreton – stunt rider
Jim O’Neill – stunt rider
Craig White – stunt rider
Other crew
Rosslyn Abernethy – production secretary
Kimbal Anderson – production runner
Ross Berryman – additional photographer
Sam Bienstock – electrical best boy
Sue Blainey – assistant editor
Sally Bryant – unit nurse
Gary Carden – assistant grip
Andy Clarke – safety officer
Miriam Cortes – negative matcher
Jan Croker – unit publicist
Carolynne Cunningham – location manager
Candice Dubois – production accountant
Derry Field – clapper loader
Reg Garside – gaffer
Bill Gooley – laboratory liaison
Louis Irving – additional photographer
Boris Janjic – best boy grip
Joanne Kennedy – tutor
Peter Mardell – key grip
Steve Mason – focus puller
Jenny Miles – stand by wardrobe
Linda Ray – continuity
Helen Rixon – caterer
Joanne Rodney – production assistant
Phillip Shapiera – assistant grip
Mark Sullivan – assistant clapper loader
Bliss Swift – still photographer
Kathy Troutt – caterer
Des White – technical advisor: BMX
RELEASE DATES
AUSTRALIA – 22 DECEMBER 1983
SWEDEN – 22 FEBRUARY 1985
HUNGARY – 12 JUNE 1985
EAST GERMANY – 6 JANUARY 1989
FILMING LOCATIONS
Manly, New South Wales, Australia
New South Wales, Australia
Northern Beaches, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Warrigah Mall, Brookvale, New South Wales, Australia
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND DVD
Laboratory
Colour film Ltd., Sydney, Australia
Film negative format
35 mm
Cinematographic process
Panavision (anamorphic)
Printed film format
35 mm
Aspect ratio
2.35: 1
DVD
Distributed by Magna Pacific Pty Ltd. 2004. (
Arc light Films 1983
INTERVIEWS WITH FILMMAKERS
After completing a search on the World Wide Web, I have found no interviews on the filmmakers or writers of this production.
The movie was made in 1983, and the Australian Film Commission only archives the list of movies back to 1990.
This is a shame; it would have given an insight into a cult 80’s teen film. A retrospective interview with the director, asking about the films place in Australian culture, would also be very interesting.
REVIEWS AND ON-LINE PRESENCE
There are no professional critical reviews on this film available. Searching the web, I have found small pages and snippets of information on the film. Any reviews that I could find are from people who have bought the DVD or are reminiscing their favourite childhood films.
The Internet Movie Database contains many ‘user comments’, which does provide an insight into the plot and narrative. Critical comments made on the production side of the film are pretty non-existent.
Film database sites also contain very little information on this film. It makes me wonder, if Nicole Kidman did not star in this movie, would there be any information at all. The film can be found on cult and b-grade movie lists.
Links to reviews and information on BMX Bandits:
Rotten Tomatoes
iFilm
MSN Movies
Filmink
Memorable TV
Movies Rewind
WHERE TO BUY THE DVD
Amazon
JB HiFi
NICOLE KIDMAN FAN SITES
SYNOPSIS
BMX Bandits begins with two teenagers Goose (James Lugton) and PJ (Angelo D’Angelo), going for a ride around Manly, New South Wales on their BMX cycles. Little do they know that at the same time, a gang of thieves are organising a bank robbery at the local bank. Dressed in Pig masks they smash their white van into the bank and hold up the bank with guns. Goose and PJ, oblivious to this fact, are zooming around the streets of Manly, irritating passing pedestrians and businesses.
Goose and PJ, not only cycle around the town, but also do all kinds of stunts and BMX tricks, which causes some havoc, but evolves into humorous results. The gang of thieves make an escape and swap cars, leaving the original car untraceable. We are taken back to the town centre, where we meet the third central character, Judy (Nicole Kidman). Judy is working at the local supermarket when PJ and Goose crash into the shopping trolleys. This accident causes Judy to lose her job, the job she needs to save for her own BMX.
The three defeated youth’s head for the arcade amusement parlour, where they make jokes about their lack of income. The decoy and second getaway car pulls into a warehouse, where the monetary exchange is made between the gang members and The Boss (Bryan Marshall). The next plan of attack is formed between ‘The Boss’ and Whitey (David Argue) and Moustache (John Ley). The order is given for the two thieves to pick up the walkie-talkies that are essential to the overall crime plan.
The three teenagers go out on Whitey’s fathers boat, travelling across the bay until they reach a jetty. Stretching their legs on the jetty, they find, submerged into the water, the thieves’ stash of walkie-talkies. For excitement, the three teens take the stash and head back into town. On the way back, they cross paths with Whitey and Moustache, them later realising the three teenagers have taken their loot. The two criminals start to pursue these teenagers all across Manly, including water parks and cemeteries.
Goose, PJ and Judy start to sell the walkie-talkies off, to make money for Judy’s BMX. They make enough money to buy her the bike plus outfit themselves with the latest (1980) BMX helmets, pads, and t-shirts. The three prepare and skilfully practise their BMX skills through the street and along the coastline. Judy performs especially well, proving herself more than capable of riding a BMX. Goose and PJ just stare on in admiration and acceptance.
Using the walkie-talkies themselves, they communicate to each other. The problem is that Whitey and Moustache can hear everything they say, and so can the police. Keeping track on their every move, Whitey and Moustache follow them all around and try to regain their stolen goods. The two thieves finally catch Judy in an old fishing boathouse, posing as undercover police officer; they try to trick Judy in giving them back the walkie-talkies. Not to be confused with a ‘sucker’, Judy is on to them at first sight and makes lame jokes about lawyers and mouldy apples.
PJ and Goose hear Judy’s torment through the walkie-talkies and set out to help their friend. They race to the rescue, almost flying through the air on their bikes, doing spins and turns and jumps. They ride over golf courses and through people’s houses, manoeuvring their bikes across Manly. Other children look on in amazement as they effortlessly gain tred in their chase. Pedestrians run as soon as they come in contact with the two BMX riders, as do removalists and city dwellers.
In the meantime, Judy makes a run for it and gives them the slip. Judy hides in various boats situated in the marina. Finding a dingy on the jetty, Judy starts to row out in the water, but the boat is still tied to the jetty (ARGH!!!). Goose and PJ come the rescue and knock Whitey and Moustache into the water, foiling their plans. The three flee the scene leaving the two criminals desperate and more aggravated. Getting themselves out of the water, Whitey and Moustache re-start the chase.
In an effort to escape the thieves, the three teenagers take to the water park slides. They slide down the tubes with their BMX bikes still intact. Whitey and Goose, presume to do the same thing, but as the story goes, with lesser results. The police who have also been tracking everyone’s whereabouts, starts to pursue the case further. The chase continues through malls and restaurants. The three skilful riders make their way to the Police where they come clean bout what they have done.
Not to spoil the ending for those who are actually going to rent it, they find something about themselves and gain a little responsibility as well. But there is also the final showdown and BMX race, leading to the “Goons Hideout”. The reward might just be theirs.
CRITICAL UPTAKE AND DISCUSSION
BMX Bandits marks the first feature film starring Nicole Kidman. But it is much more than that. The film is a cult landmark in Australian family film entertainment, making way for American versions of the same, RAD (1986, Hal Needham). Bandits is a frothy live action ensemble with a punchy 80’s pop soundtrack to match. Set in Manly, NSW, the films adventures take you on a journey of fun filled romps.
In 1980, the world was set alight with tight pop music and fluro everything. The popular culture was BMX Bikes, namely the brand Mongoose. Bandits contains all these elements with the chosen bicycles being Mongoose, to the bright and fluro coloured costumes. The attention to detail with costume is spot on. People may roll their eyes at what I just said, but lets remember it si all in context, that of the 1980 era.
The three teenagers are smart and often amusing, their voices laden with Australian comic twang. The hairstyles are that of an old hairdressing salons books, situated in the Morley Markets side of the Galleria (has not yet changed since 1983). Nicole Kidman herself sports a very high, large, curly red mop and is proud of it. Other signature accessorises included in the film were supplied by leading brands Malvern Star and Redline.
The movies characters are typical of a cartoon that has come to life. Think Scooby-Do or anything that has the bad guys defeated by the good children or teenagers. All characters are very animated, using serotypes to display common traits. The use of Judy as a tomboy will give the young female viewers something to chew on, it’s not just a young males movie. The female role is also that of a young love interest, with both boys vying for Judy’s attentions. The two male leads are both portrayed as typical young Australian youths growing up in the suburbs, interested in BMX riding.
The dialogue used in the film is defiantly not intellectual or even complex. The script allows for simple and straight to the point speech and words, resulting in a less sophisticated approach. This can be dissected as pointless and can devalue the film, but it is my opinion that this approach makes Bandits what it is today. The acting is also very bad and would probably make good old Nicole cry. All the actors, even the adults ones, are very wooden and fake.
The soundtrack is excellent, featuring a large score of 80’s rhythms, created by what sounds like a Casio keyboard and synthesiser. All the sound effects for the jumps and stunts have ‘electronic swish’ sounds. The movie contains only two full songs with vocals. However, these two songs are not credited at the end of the movie, but are repeated throughout the film. The two songs could have been created by the hit factory, Stock Aitkin Waterman, but who will ever know.
The set design and decoration is of low budget and just below average standards. With slapped up furniture on the cheapie side and the use of old run down buildings does very little to presume a large budget. The saving grace is that the script relies on actual boathouses and abandoned sheds and broken down or small boats. This would have saved them a bundle of cash and fits perfectly into the narrative of the film.
The stunts are ‘awesome’ (sorry couldn’t resist), and quite realistic, apart from the electronic sound the come after. There are large quantities of explosions and stunts that involve car chases and everything a thirteen-year-old boy would like. The BMX race is also great, combing bike riding with aerial dynamic jumps. For an Australian children’s or family film in 1983, this is quite impressive.
There is not too much critical information on this movie that I can find. The comments come from people that own or who have watched the film or are purchasing the DVD. There is a huge lack of professional reviews for this feature; I can’t seem to find one. The Australian Film Commission doesn’t have this movie on their website, as the archive starts from 1990 onwards. People that use IMDB ( have left their own review of the film, most are pretty positive and consider BMX Bandits to be a leader in cult 1980’s films.
Many people that have seen the film saw it for the first time when they were young. Usually watching the film with a group of friends, trying to learn the different BMX moves. Arc light Films ( along with the many others, simply describe Bandits as Nicole Kidman’s first film. This interest is understandable, considering that it is her first film and also pre-Tom Cruise makeover. The role of the 22-year-old neurosurgeon in Days of Thunder (1990, Tony Scott) was years away.
Reviewers on the net, also share a common love for the film, as do I. The movie was a high achievement in family film within Australia. Most reviewers talk about holding the cover and fighting over how many times they are going to watch it. Some reviews just slam the movie, making nothing more of it than light-hearted trash ( Trash or not, the film is a great trip down the nostalgic road, representing what being a child in the 1980’s was – GREAT if not EXCITING.
SUBSEQUENT / PRIOR WORK – CAST
Brian Trenchard-Smith – Director
Smith went on to direct a few feature films and many television min-series. Smith directed mostly Australian films with the exceptions of, Night of the Demons 2 (1994) and Leprechaun 3 (1995).
Other highlights include: