Crocodile Dundee

Crocodile Dundee
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Name	Crocodile Dundee
Director	Peter Faiman
Producer	John Cornell
Writer	Paul Hogan and Ken Shadie
Starring	Paul Hogan, Linda Kozlowski, John Meillon
Music	Peter Best
Cinematography	Russell Boyd
Editing	David Stiven
Studio	Hogan-Rowe Productions
Distributor	Paramount Pictures
Released	1986
Runtime	97 minutes
Country	Australia / United States
Language	English
Budget	A$8.8 million
Box office	US$328 million

Crocodile Dundee is a 1986 Australian comedy film directed by Peter Faiman and written by Paul Hogan and Ken Shadie. The film follows a charismatic Australian bushman who travels from the Northern Territory to New York City after a journalist profiles his life, creating a culture-clash fish‑out‑of‑water narrative. Combining elements of adventure, romance, and satire, the film became an international commercial success and a touchstone of 1980s popular culture.

Plot

The story begins when a New York tabloid journalist travels to the Australian Outback to profile an iconic bushman living near the Darwin area. The journalist's trip involves interactions with local Anangu guides, rangers at remote stations, and encounters with crocodile hunters around the Kakadu National Park region. After returning to New York City, the journalist brings the bushman to Manhattan, where he navigates landmarks such as Times Square, Central Park, and the New York City Subway. The plot explores misunderstandings in urban settings, run‑ins with street criminals near The Bronx and Harlem, and a developing romance that culminates in a decision about where the couple will live. Subplots feature confrontations with bar patrons and corporate types from Wall Street, as well as a rescue sequence echoing survival themes from Australian Outback narratives.

Cast

The film stars Paul Hogan as the bushman, Linda Kozlowski as the journalist, and John Meillon as a local station owner. Supporting roles include appearances by David Gulpilil alongside performers from Australian theatre and film circles connected to productions at the Sydney Opera House and companies like the Australian Theatre for Young People. Cameos and bit parts feature actors who later worked with filmmakers associated with the Australian New Wave movement, including collaborations with cinematographers who shot projects in the Blue Mountains and sequences that reference regional performers from Brisbane and Perth. The ensemble also involves stunt coordinators experienced with wildlife sequences similar to those staged for documentaries by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and production crews who had worked on adaptations of Australian literature such as novels by Thomas Keneally.

Production

Development began after Paul Hogan's comedy work on television programs and tours connected to The Paul Hogan Show and stage engagements at venues like the Sydney Opera House. Hogan and co‑writer Ken Shadie crafted a screenplay drawing on anecdotes about crocodile hunters and bush survivalists recorded in interviews facilitated by producers with ties to the Australian Film Commission. Filming used locations across the Northern Territory and urban shoots in New York City, employing local crews who had experience filming at sites near the Darwin Harbour and interior sequences shot on stages influenced by studio practices at Fox Studios Australia. The production enlisted cinematographer Russell Boyd, whose prior credits included collaborations with directors from the Australian New Wave, and a music score by Peter Best, whose work accompanied films screened at festivals such as the Cannes Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival. Practical effects and animal handling were overseen by wildlife specialists with experience on projects for the National Geographic Society and the Australian Museum.

Release and Reception

Distributed internationally by Paramount Pictures, the film premiered in 1986 and achieved significant box office returns, becoming one of the highest‑grossing films released that year in both the United States and Australia. Critics offered mixed reviews: some praised the chemistry between the leads and the film's celebration of Australian landscapes reminiscent of works by directors such as Baz Luhrmann and Peter Weir, while others critiqued its depiction of urban stereotypes familiar from Hollywood comedies. The film received various award nominations from organizations including the Golden Globe Awards and recognition at local ceremonies like the Australian Film Institute Awards. Its commercial success led to extensive media coverage in outlets headquartered in Los Angeles and London, and scholarly discussion in journals addressing cross‑cultural representation.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

The film significantly influenced global perceptions of Australia, amplifying tourism interest in the Outback, Darwin, and wildlife attractions such as Kakadu National Park and crocodile‑viewing tours. The titular character inspired fashion trends referencing bush hats and footwear promoted by retailers with outlets in Sydney and Melbourne. The movie also sparked debate among indigenous activists and academics at institutions like the University of Sydney and Australian National University about representation of Aboriginal Australians in mainstream media. Its legacy can be traced through references in television programs produced by networks such as the BBC and ABC, and through homages in films from the 1990s and 2000s that revisited themes of culture clash and urbanization.

Sequels and Related Media

Commercial success spawned sequels released by Paramount Pictures and produced by teams with ties to the original crew. The franchise expanded into tie‑in merchandise and spin‑off publicity featuring Hogan on variety programs and talk shows broadcast from New York City and Los Angeles. Related media include stage appearances and a variety of adaptations in print journalism and magazine profiles by publications headquartered in New York and Sydney. The character's influence persisted in later Australian cinema and television projects, with filmmakers citing the film in interviews at events like the Sundance Film Festival and retrospectives at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image.

Category:1986 films Category:Australian films Category:Comedy films