Lasseter's Bones
August. 11,2012Australia’s El Dorado was found by Lewis Harold Bell Lasseter – if we believe his claims in the late 1800s to have discovered a vast gold deposit in central Australia. This mysterious place has never again been found, and many believe it doesn’t exist. But one thing is certain: Lasseter was a larger-than-life character. Seen by some as an eccentric conman, he was ridiculed for his extravagant assertions, which he held until his tragic end. But Lasseter remains the embodiment of the Australian folk hero, who lived a life full of incredible adventures, tall tales and outrageous claims – including a possible faked death and his insistence that he designed the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
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Just perfect...
A Masterpiece!
It’s an especially fun movie from a director and cast who are clearly having a good time allowing themselves to let loose.
All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.
Unfortunately, I truly had to search far and wide to find a way to view this film, being that there was no release in the U.S. (at the time that I became aware of its existence), couldn't purchase it outside of the Australian iTunes system, and I was unable to find a website hosting it. That being said, I was not disappointed when I finally got my hands on a copy. This film is about the characters and their personal journeys and development throughout there search for Lasseter's gold. Not only are we given insight into the life of Lasseter and his son, but the filmmaker's obsession with the legend as well. This is character development at its finest. I will be doing a further reading on this story. (Somewhat reminded me of the story of the Lost Dutchman mine in the southwest U.S.)
Australia's Lost Gold has officially been added to my list of favorite independent films! I love independent films like this that intertwine culture and history with a great story line. It's exciting to be able to explore and learn about different cultures through film. Audiences have the opportunity to visit places around the world that they may never have the opportunity to visit. Australia's Lost Gold explores the famous Australian legend of undiscovered gold in the Central Australian Desert. I don't know many people who get the opportunity to visit Australian deserts in their lifetime but as I was watching the film, I felt like I was there. Throughout the documentary, director Luke Walker does an outstanding job of immersing his audience into the Australian culture. From personal interviews with townspeople to the interactions with Aborigine's from the desert, you really feel like you get an understanding of the people that live there. Thanks to Luke's superb directing, the film is packed with great shots of the country's landscape that allows the audience to see what "down under" really means. In addition to the beautiful culture portrayed in the film, the story-line is just as intriguing. It's an exciting plot that takes you on the quest for not just undiscovered gold, but the truth. I definitely recommend watching it if you're looking for a great new movie to add to your list.
Watching Australia's Lost Gold is an inspiring and joyful experience. Director Luke Walker expertly paces Bob Lasseter's journey to find the mother lode of gold in a way that sets him apart from other documentarians. As Bob Lasseter searches endlessly for bits and pieces of his father's legacy, the attention draws closer and closer on this mystery and the history of his family. All of this is accompanied by breathtaking cinematography of Australian desert landscapes. Furthermore, the editing creates such a dramatic slow burn effect that audiences can find themselves reviewing the statements, rumors, and pieces of the tale just as much as Bob Lasseter himself. As the trek for Lasseter's Reef goes on, the will to find out the truth gets stronger in not just Bob Lasseter, but the director and audience; which is the biggest compliment I can give this film. In a world filled with big budget action films out every other week, it is refreshing to come across a softhearted story of human nature and wonder.
With gripping film-work by Director Luke Walker and Bob Lasseter's unwavering charisma, you can't help but fall in love with the Legend of Lasseter's Bones. As the two traverse the deadly landscapes of the Australian desert you find yourself not only rooting for the duo, but feeling as if you're travelling beside them. The journey to find the reef transforms into an adventure that has you creating a mental whiteboard full of connected dots and loose ends. You feel the frustration that the cast does when a trail runs dry, and the overwhelming joy when you find yourself a step closer to the fortune. Australia's Lost Gold is a treasure hunt on the surface, a personal journey at heart, and most of all, a film definitely worth the watch.