Australia in Colour (2019) User Reviews

Other reviews highlight the problem

[sykespj · 9/10 · 13 February 2021]

This is a fabulous series that effectively backs each statement made with footage and fact to highlight it. I am an Australian living in a small town, who has the benefit of spending 16 years going to school, university and working in the United States, Canada and Singapore when I was young. When I came back to Oz and eventually became a high school history teacher, I was appalled by the lack of effort made to address racism, sexism, and any other -ism in the curricula.

I left after ten years and became a wildlife ranger working for government. I loved the job, but as a union workplace rep, hated some of the racism I saw. So it hurts to see hear the shameful truth, but it is still the truth. And by the way, federal government studies show that women on average still make less than men.

If you don't like the truth, then avoid this series. If you have an open mind to accepting the past for what it is, you will probably love this technically brilliant and fascinating series.

This footage is a treasure

[gegorov-04950 · 10/10 · 23 March 2021]

I am writing because the earlier reviews are less than fair. The fact that we have this pictorial history curated and vividly coloured is wonderful. The history and politics of our past is what it is, yes, some is shameful and has to be acknowledged. I found that the footage and narration thoroughly engaging and helped me learn so much more about the era that my parents and grandparents lived. I am also pleased that the SBS here in Australia has presented these two series in many different sub-titled languages. What a great resource for new Australians to understand and assimilate in their new country of choice. Well done to all those who made this series.

Interesting footage

[apaul-02924 · 6/10 · 26 January 2020]

Interesting footage, but pretty miserable take on twentieth century Australia.

Brilliant visuals but so much politics.

[mnorthco-1 · 5/10 · 16 April 2020]

The visuals are amazing but the politics in this documentary crosses the line of being informative and educating viewers and decends into preaching, speculation and pure negativity. Indigenous disadvantage, women's rights, race and other social issues make up the lions share of the first episode and is done poorly. Could have been done better and still raised all the social issues more effectively. Its been done by better documentaries.

Amazing footage but falls short

[paulhunt-48645 · 5/10 · 7 February 2021]

The old footage is amazing to watch in colour and it gives you a glimpse into what life was like 50-100+ years ago but it falls short in the documenting and explaining the times/history, often brushing over events in a few minutes.

It focuses too heavily on Sydney and New South Wales events and most of the other cities just get a brief mention from time to time. It would've been great to see Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne with more footage and compare what was happening more around the whole of Australia. It should be renamed 'New South Wales in colour.'

Worth the watch to see the footage and history but it's definitely framed in biased manner. When discussing women and the workforce and getting equal pay passed in 1969 and then the narrator (Hugo Weaving) adds "And the gender pay gap still exists today in Australia." after women in the 60's were actually paid less for the same work and implying they still are today? The idea that modern Australia, women are paid less for doing the exact same job is not only against the law but has been debunked for years.

Overall ignore the biased narrative the documentary wants to portray Australia as and just enjoy the beautiful images.

Huge political slant

[lihei13 · 1/10 · 23 January 2022]

A rewrite of Australia's wonderful history from our so called, cultural betters, to suit to the lens of modern day wokeism. Little regard for the pioneers who built modern day Australia in preference to minority groups and their gripes.