Barry Mckenzie

Barry Mckenzie

This film is crude rude and terribly Australian.“Bazza” after inheriting a small fortune decides to go to England to further his cultural education past the “shela” and the “VB”. Accompanied by his Aunt, Aunty Edna, his innocence and roteske nature is extremely funny as he goes around commenting on the Eifle tower and Earl’s Court.

It is not surprising this film was popular in Australia. (I know audeinecs even today who would think this the funniest film they have seen.)  At the time of it making the new tax cuts of the 70’s were in place, allowing ridiculous slasher and stripper films to be pumped out exposing audiences to grotesque and ridiculous images that had not been seen in Australia. Although Mckenzie did include breasts at any time possible it was a film about the little guy. The everyday herom, who we hold so dear in Australia. it is one of the first films which separates Australians from the English in a way which promotes the country. Barry is still a hero in Australian cinema for his loud, sex crazed and innocent character.

The thing that stood out for me in this film is the ablility of Australian humour to be so grotesque but cheaky enough that it can been taken lightly and accepted, it wasn’t really my style of film but I still managed to giggle a lot. 

It is also worthy to note that this was the first appearance of Aunty Edna, later to become Dame Edna. An Australian icon and an international treasure. I would say this film helped us establish what people were wanting in their enternatinment at the time, a continuation of the little guy winning. Simmilarly to The Sentimental Bloke just more bold and discusting.