Crocodile Dundee: How A Film Changed Australia's Image

Crocodile Dundee is a 1986 action-comedy film set in the Australian Outback and New York City. It was inspired by the real-life exploits of Rod Ansell and stars Paul Hogan as the eccentric crocodile hunter Mick Dundee, alongside American actress Linda Kozlowski as reporter Sue Charlton. The film was made on a budget of under $10 million and became a worldwide phenomenon, grossing over $328 million at the box office. It remains the highest-grossing Australian film of all time and was instrumental in boosting tourism to Australia. However, Crocodile Dundee has also been criticised for perpetuating stereotypes and for its sexism, racism, and homophobia.

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Crocodile Dundee was the highest-grossing film in Australia and New Zealand

Crocodile Dundee was a massive hit in 1986, and it still remains a warm, amusing, and irresistibly enjoyable film. The film is set in the Australian Outback and in New York City. It stars Paul Hogan as the weathered Mick Dundee and American actress Linda Kozlowski as reporter Sue Charlton. The film was made on a budget of under $10 million as a deliberate attempt to make a commercial Australian film that would appeal to a mainstream American audience, but it proved to be a worldwide phenomenon.

Crocodile Dundee was the highest-grossing film of all time in Australia, surpassing E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. It grossed A$47,707,045 at the Australian box office and opened with a record A$2,047,026 in its first week. It was also the highest-grossing film of all time in New Zealand, with a gross of $5.1 million.

The film was also a huge success in the United States, grossing US$8 million in its opening weekend and remaining at number one for nine weeks. It was the second-highest-grossing film in the United States in 1986, the highest-grossing non-US film at the US box office ever, and the second-highest-grossing film worldwide for the year.

Crocodile Dundee was also a hit in the United Kingdom, where it sold a record 62,000 copies on VHS and became the most-viewed Christmas Day film or programme when it debuted on BBC One in 1989, with an audience of 21.8 million. It was also the highest-grossing film of all time in Ireland, with a gross of $2.8 million.

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The film was the second-highest-grossing film in the US in 1986

Crocodile Dundee was released in the United States on 26 September 1986. It debuted at number one, grossing US$8 million in its opening weekend, and remained at number one for nine weeks. The film grossed US$174,803,506 at the US and Canadian box office, making it the second-highest-grossing film in the US in 1986. It was also the second-highest-grossing film worldwide that year.

The film's success can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, it starred Australian TV star Paul Hogan as the charismatic and witty Mick Dundee, a bushman from northern Australia. Hogan's performance as the "fish out of water" in the film was well-received by audiences. The film also featured American actress Linda Kozlowski as reporter Sue Charlton, who travelled to the Australian Outback to meet the legendary crocodile hunter and invite him to New York City. The juxtaposition of the dusty Outback and the densely populated city provided a source of humour and cultural gags that resonated with audiences.

Crocodile Dundee was made on a budget of under $10 million and was intended to appeal to a mainstream American audience. It was released by Paramount Pictures and became a worldwide phenomenon, grossing over US$174 million in the US and Canada alone. The film also broke records in the UK, becoming the highest-grossing film of all time in Ireland and one of the highest-grossing films of all time in the UK.

The success of Crocodile Dundee had a significant impact on the Australian film industry, which had begun to gain international recognition in the 1970s and early 1980s with films like "Picnic at Hanging Rock" and "Gallipoli". Crocodile Dundee was perhaps the first great Australian comedy, and it showcased the country's unique landscapes and culture to a global audience. The film also changed tourism in Australia, with many viewers inspired by the film's portrayal of the Outback and the small-town characters that Sue Charlton encounters on her journey.

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It was the first great Australian comedy, achieving international success

Crocodile Dundee, released in 1986, is regarded as the first great Australian comedy, achieving international success. It is an action comedy film set in the Australian Outback and in New York City. The film stars Paul Hogan as the iconic Mick Dundee and American actress Linda Kozlowski as reporter Sue Charlton.

Crocodile Dundee is inspired by the true-life exploits of Rod Ansell. It was made on a budget of under $10 million as a deliberate attempt to make a commercial Australian film that would appeal to a mainstream American audience. However, it proved to be a worldwide phenomenon. The film grossed A$47,707,045 at the box office in Australia, surpassing E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial to become the highest-grossing film of all time there. It was also the highest-grossing Australian film worldwide, the second-highest-grossing film in the United States in 1986, and the highest-grossing non-US film at the US box office ever.

The film is a "fish out of water" story, with the first half set in the Australian Outback, where New York reporter Sue Charlton flies out to meet the legendary crocodile hunter, Mick Dundee. She becomes intrigued by him and his outback lifestyle and invites him to return with her to New York, where the second half of the film is set. The juxtaposition of the dusty Outback and the densely populated city is a source of much of the film's humour.

Crocodile Dundee's international success is notable as it is said to have changed the perception of Australia internationally. It is said to have confirmed and even exploited certain preconceptions Americans had about Australia and Australians, presenting a conservative fantasy where white heterosexual males are rewarded for their hard work. The film also presents a romanticised image of Australia as a land of self-reliant pioneers from the Outback, which contrasts with the reality that most modern Australians live in the suburbs of large cities.

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Crocodile Dundee reinforced negative American preconceptions about Australia and Australians

Crocodile Dundee is an action comedy film set in the Australian Outback and New York City. It was released in 1986 and became an international phenomenon, grossing millions at the box office. The film is about a New York reporter, Sue Charlton, who travels to the Australian Outback to meet and report on the legendary crocodile hunter, Mick "Crocodile" Dundee. She becomes enthralled with his outback lifestyle and invites him to New York City, where he is out of his depth.

The film has been criticised for its portrayal of Indigenous Australians, with one character referring to them as "the Aborigines". Dundee himself has been described as a "knife-wielding action hero" who is casually racist and sexist. In one scene, he makes a transphobic comment and sexually assaults a trans woman. The film has also been criticised for its vulgarity and witless humour.

Despite the criticisms, Crocodile Dundee remains a popular and beloved film in Australia and worldwide. It has been described as a cultural phenomenon and introduced many American viewers to Australia, portraying it as a "magical place". The film has also been praised for its heart and charm, with the character of Mick Dundee considered a "comic book character" and one of the great comic creations.

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The film's success turned Australia into a magical place for viewers

The international success of the 1986 film Crocodile Dundee, and its subsequent sequels, had a profound impact on how the world perceived Australia, and it solidified a unique image of the country that still persists today. The film presented Australia as a wild, untamed, and exotic land of adventure, and this image captured the imagination of audiences worldwide. The film's impact was so significant that it shaped and defined Australia's global image, turning it into a magical and intriguing place in the eyes of viewers.

The film's protagonist, Mick Dundee, played by Paul Hogan, became an iconic representation of the Australian outback and its rugged, laid-back, and adventurous spirit. His charm, quick wit, and larger-than-life personality embodied a unique brand of Australian heroism and masculinity that was immensely appealing. The character's occupation as a crocodile hunter further added to the allure, presenting a lifestyle that was adventurous, dangerous, and deeply connected to the natural world, a far cry from the urban lives of most viewers.

The Australian outback, with its vast deserts, rugged landscapes, and unique wildlife, was a central character in the film. It provided a stunning and dramatic backdrop to the story and presented a world vastly different from the typical urban settings of most Hollywood films. The outback's harsh beauty and sense of untamed wilderness captivated audiences, who were intrigued by this exotic and seemingly untouched natural environment. The film showcased a unique and diverse array of Australian wildlife, from crocodiles and kangaroos to the iconic koala and kookaburra, further adding to the country's exotic appeal.

Crocodile Dundee also offered a glimpse into a unique and laid-back Australian culture and lifestyle. The film portrayed a sense of easygoing camaraderie and a strong connection to the land and its indigenous heritage. The famous "that's not a knife..." scene, among others, showcased a distinct brand of Australian humor, which was dry, self-deprecating, and full of quick-witted one-liners. This, coupled with the film's portrayal of the Australian pub as a central community hub, created a strong sense of place and a unique cultural identity that was immensely appealing and helped shape the world's view of Australia as a fun-loving, easygoing nation.

The film's impact was so profound that it sparked a significant increase in tourism to Australia, with people eager to explore the country's unique landscapes and experience its culture firsthand. It also influenced a generation of filmmakers and storytellers, who continue to draw on the themes and tropes established by Crocodile Dundee, perpetuating and evolving the image of Australia as a magical and captivating place. The film's legacy endures, and it remains a pivotal moment in Australia's cultural history, shaping how the world views and engages with this unique and fascinating country.

This impact of Crocodile Dundee showcases the power of cinema to shape perceptions and create a sense of wonder and intrigue about a place, and it is a testament to the film's success that its influence is still felt and celebrated today.

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