MEMORY OF THE WORLD REGISTER
The Story of the Kelly Gang (1906)
Australia
REF N° 2006-23
PART A – ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
1
SUMMARY
The Story of the Kelly Gang, directed by Charles Tait in 1906 is claimed as the first full length
narrative feature film produced anywhere in the world. A great commercial success in Australia, New
Zealand and the United Kingdom, the story of the famous Australian bushranger Ned Kelly and his
band was embraced by the generation who discovered cinema. Ironically the film also contributed to a
subsequent censorship of films with a bushranging theme on the grounds that they encouraged support
for illegal activities.
By the mid-1940s, The Story of the Kelly Gang was considered a lost film, part of the doomed history
of so many nitrate productions. From the 1970s to date however, miraculous discoveries of fragments
of the film, along with corroborating documentation in the original poster and promotional booklet,
have been drawn together by the National Film and Sound Archive to create a unique, digitally
restored reconstruction of almost 17 minutes from the original >60 minutes production. Since the
NFSA’s original submission of its nomination in 2006, additional footage located at the British
National Film and Television Archive has allowed us to reintroduce another complete scene to that
reconstruction.
Just as Fritz Lang’s Metropolis is testimony to the art of German silent film art, The Story of the Kelly
Gang symbolises both the birth of the Australian film industry and the emergence of an Australian
identity. Even more significantly it heralds the emergence of the feature film format. The detective
work involved in identifying and drawing together the rediscovered footage, and the triumph of
reconstructing the narrative sequence of the film using those 17 minutes of remaining footage makes
this an exciting, relevant and unique nomination for the international Memory of the World Register.
2
DETAILS OF THE NOMINATOR
2.1
Name (person or organisation)
National Film and Sound Archive, Canberra, Australia.
2.2
Relationship to the documentary heritage nominated
Owners.
2.3
Contact person(s)
Meg Labrum, Chief Curator
Belinda Hunt, Curatorial Administrator
2.4
Contact details (include address, phone, fax, email)
National Film and Sound Archive
McCoy Circuit
ACTON ACT 2601
AUSTRALIA
Ph. +61 2 6248 2256
Fax. +61 2 6248 2165
Email. meg.labrum@afc.gov.au
belinda.hunt@afc.gov.au
3
IDENTITY AND DESCRIPTION OF THE DOCUMENTARY HERITAGE
3.1
Name and identification details of the items being nominated
The Story of the Kelly Gang
1906, Australia
Director: Charles Tait
Producers: John and Nevin Tait, Millard Johnson and William Gibson
Name and Location details of Owner:
National Film and Sound Archive, a Division of the Australian Film Commission
McCoy Circuit
ACTON ACT 2601
AUSTRALIA
3.2
Description
1. Reconstruction of The Story of the Kelly Gang (NFSA, 2006)), polyester picture dupe negatives
and digital files
2. Original nitrate fragments from the original feature production plus polyester picture dupe negative
of an additional substantial scene copied from the National Film and Television Archive, BFI London
3. Original promotional documentation for this title: promotional booklet and daybill.
Cataloguing Details:
1.The Story of the Kelly Gang (NFSA,2006) reconstruction
(Title No. 709579)
PBX 15938 Preservation B/W polyester picture dupe negative full frame silent 35mm 1068 feet
PCX 4441 Preservation Colour polyester picture dupe negative full frame silent 35mm 1068 feet
Preservation digital files.
2. The Story of the Kelly Gang film fragments:
(Title Nos: 710303, 710304, 710306, 6050.)
PBW5443 Preservation B/W polyester picture dupe negative full frame , silent 35mm 483 feet (
copied from nitrate fragment held by National Film and Television Archive, BFI London)
FBW1274 Preservation B/W original nitrate picture negative, full frame, silent 35mm 176 feet
FBX1265 Preservation B/W nitrate release print with tint and tone, full frame, silent 35mm 300 feet
FBW1107 Preservation B/W nitrate release print, full frame, silent 35mm 4 feet
3. The Story of the Kelly Gang documentation:
(Title Nos: 360576, 350429)
STORU0001 Original accompanying booklet compiled by F.S.Stetson
RPC001129 Original daybill poster for 1906 release
The materials listed above provide the complete context for the NFSA’s 2006 digital restoration of the
remaining almost 17 minutes of original footage. The surviving original nitrate film fragments are
stable with some medium to heavy deterioration damage and the reconstruction is preserved in both
photochemical and digital form.
Summary of its provenance:
The film fragments and documentation were found by various collectors over the period 1970 to 1980,
and donated to the National Film and Sound Archive for inclusion in the National Collection. In 2006,
an additional substantial fragment was located in the British National Film and Television Archive.
This additional material was provided to the NFSA to support the reconstruction of the extended 17
minutes of extant footage.
Assessment of Physical State and Condition
See 6.1
Visual documentation:
A DVD of the film fragments and a second DVD of the 2006 reconstruction have been provided plus
scanned images of the 1906 promotional booklet, and a scanned image of the original daybill. A copy
of the commemorative program and essay which was distributed at the premiere of the reconstruction
in November 2006.
Bibliographic References:
Pike, Andrew and Ross Cooper, Australian Film 1900 – 1977. A Guide to Feature Film Production,
Melbourne, Oxford University Press, 1998
Sabine, James (ed.) for the Australian Film Institute, A Century of Australian Cinema, Port
Melbourne, William Heinemann Australia, 1995
Shirley, Graham and Brian Adams, Australian Cinema The First Eighty Years, Currency Press,
Australia, 1989.
Shirley, Graham and Sally Jackson, The Story of the Kelly Gang, published in the NFSA’s program
for the premiere screening of The Story of the Kelly Gang reconstruction, November 2006.
Referees:
Mr Ray Edmondson, Film historian and archivist
100 Learmonth Drive
Kambah ACT 2902
Mr Andrew Pike, Film historian, producer and author
PO Box 1005
Civic Square ACT 2608
4
JUSTIFICATION FOR INCLUSION/ ASSESSMENT AGAINST CRITERIA
4.1
Authenticity
Using existing clearly identified documentation for the original production (the production booklet and
the daybill poster), the fragments of footage have been authenticated as parts of the original
production.
The Story of the Kelly Gang (1906) is a seminal work in the history of feature film making, as it is
believed to be the first feature length fiction film ever made. As such its significance in cinema
history is profound and unique. The first narrative feature film in the world was a popular success in
Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom and was actively promoted as the longest film ever
made to that date. It heralded the twentieth century’s fascination with cinema as a narrative vehicle
and presented the first true feature story in more than 60 minutes of screen time.
4.3
Criteria of (a) time (b) place (c) people (d) subject and theme (e) form and style
Time
Produced in 1906, this document was arguably the first full-length (more than 60 minutes) feature
produced anywhere in the world. The reconstruction draws together the remaining fragments to
present them in correct sequence and highest possible cinematic quality.
Place
No
People
The creation of the first feature influenced cinema production worldwide and the network of
individuals who were to become the creative film-makers of the twentieth century.
Subject and Theme
The creation of the first full-length narrative production illustrated the potential for detailed
storytelling in cinema form. The bushranging theme had enormous impact in Australia and led to
more than twenty such films being produced in the silent era with further versions appearing to the
present. It also created censorship problems as the heroic images of the bushrangers led to concerns
for law and order and resulted in the banning of both this film and many later films of the same genre.
Internationally, the Western theme and the emergence of many gang-based genres at that time reflect a
similar thematic approach.
Form and Style
This is arguably the first full-length feature film ever produced. As such its unique value rests in its
narrative representation in cinematic form at the beginning of the cinema age.
4.4
Issues of rarity, integrity, threat and management
Rarity
The NFSA’s reconstruction of the remnants of this film is unique and delivers digitally restored image
and context which is otherwise impossible to achieve. The nitrate film fragments (including the
fragment held by the NFTVA, London) are the only existing original record of this production. The
accompanying documentation is also believed to be unique to the National Film and Sound Archive’s
national collection.
Integrity
This documentary heritage is incomplete. The fragments of footage represent approximately 25% of
what is believed to have been a more than 60 minute production. The promotional booklet provides
text and frame images which illustrate the complete story of the film and the poster provides pictorial
confirmation of the authenticity of the film fragments.
Threat
The reconstruction is fully preserved and secure. The survival of the original nitrate film is secure as
far as preservation of volatile nitrate material can be deemed secure. The original footage is nitratebased and requires careful preservation including duplication and vigilant storage conditions for the
original material, all of which has been carried out as per 6.1. Safety copies have been produced to
ensure the survival of the film content should the nitrate eventually deterioriate irretrievably. The
supporting paper items are not at risk as they are conserved and handled according to best practice
paper conservation standards.
5
LEGAL INFORMATION
5.1.
Owner of the documentary heritage (name and contact details)
National Film and Sound Archive, a Division of the Australian Film Commission
McCoy Circuit
ACTON ACT 2601
AUSTRALIA
Ph. +61 2 6248 2256
Fax. +61 2 6248 2165
Email. meg.labrum@afc.gov.au
belinda.hunt@afc.gov.au
5.2
Custodian of the documentary heritage (name and contact details, if different to
owner)
As above.
Note: the original nitrate for one segment is held by the National Film and Television Archive, BFI
London, with a copy incorporated into the NFSA reconstruction.
5.3
Legal status:
(a) Category of ownership
Owned by a public institution.
(b) Accessibility
The National Film and Sound Archive provides access to the national collection on an
equitable basis to all applicants .Access to the content of the documentary heritage is provided
on contemporary formats for research and reproduction. The reconstruction was created on
modern 35mm stock and prints are available for archival standard projection at 18fps,
preserving the original cinematic experience. An NFSA produced DVD will shortly be
released which will provide the reconstruction with scholarly commentary and classic and
contemporary music score options, and also a “study version” which seeks to recreate the
original film’s key ingredients by incorporating still images, researched intertitles and curated
commentary. The original nitrate film material is both a redundant format and preservation
master, and therefore is not suitable for access. The original preserved material is stored in
appropriate climactic conditions to ensure its secure longevity. Safety copies of the footage
have been created for duplicating and access purposes.
The original promotional booklet and original poster are available for controlled exhibition
and for research purposes. Photographic copies and digital files are provided for general
access purposes. Images from the promotional booklet are available via the On-Line
Catalogue at the National Film and Sound Archive’s website www.nfsa.afc.gov.au.
(c) Copyright status
The reconstruction is copyright to the NFSA. The original documentary heritage is in the
public domain.
(d) Responsible administration
The preservation and safekeeping of the national audiovisual heritage is the responsibility of
the National Film and Sound Archive, a Division of the Australian Film Commission. The
Australian Film Commission is established under the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia
and derives its power directly from the Commonwealth Constitution and a range of Acts under
the Constitution, and has a full range of power for all aspects of the preservation of screen and
sound heritage.
(e) Other factors
N/A
6
MANAGEMENT PLAN
6.1
Is there a management plan in existence for this documentary heritage? YES
The preservation and access practices for both the film and paper based components of this collection
are covered under the National Film and Sound Archive’s Collection Policy which has been attached
(Attachment A). This policy is regularly updated to meet international best practice standards. Its
most recent review was endorsed in November 2005.
The reconstruction is produced on modern 35mm stock and is fully preserved and secure. All of the
original items have been identified as being of “High Heritage Value” within the collection ensuring
the highest level of care. The original nitrate components have been assessed for deterioration and
continue to be monitored for current condition risks. The film components are stored in a purpose
built vault which complies to international standards for the care of nitrate film. Environmental
conditions are maintained at 6C (+/-2C) and 35% Relative Humidity (+/-5% RH). These conditions
retard the progress of decay and increase the life expectancy of the original. The paper-based
components are stored in preservation standard enclosures and storage vaults. Environmental
conditions are maintained at 16C (+/- 2C) and 45% (+/- 5%). While on display they are closely
monitored for changes in environmental and physical conditions and kept in a secure enclosure.
Following standard archival procedures all items have undergone duplication for preservation and
access purposes. The film components have been duplicated onto preservation standard safety film
bases and various access copies have been made on suitable media for both professional and domestic
use. All of these duplication and access components are stored in appropriate environmental
conditions for the media used. They are constantly monitored and updated reflecting changing
demands in technology.
The paper-based components are both stable and have had conservation treatment work undertaken.
This has included the construction of a new binding for the booklet. The pages of the booklet have
been digitised at both preservation and access levels and are available for viewing via the online
catalogue on the National Film and Sound Archive’s website (www.nfsa.afc.gov.au). The original
poster has been professionally preserved and is housed in appropriate archival storage.
7
CONSULTATION
7.1
Provide details of consultation about this nomination with (a) the owner of the heritage
(b) the custodian (c) your national or regional Memory of the World committee
The National Film and Television Archive, BFI, London, has been informed of the NFSA’s
nomination of this work, including the fragment copied from their holdings. As all other film
fragments and booklets are in the public domain and were donated to the National Film and Sound
Archive for inclusion in the national collection, there are no other direct external stakeholders
involved. The National Film and Sound Archive has however been in direct contact with both the
independent experts and members of the Australian Memory of the World committee.
PART B – SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION
8
ASSESSMENT OF RISK
8.1
None of the items are under any immediate threat as all have been preserved following best
practice preservation procedures (including duplication onto more stable formats) carried out by the
National Film and Sound Archive, which are detailed briefly in section 6.1. However, the film
sections of The Story of the Kelly Gang (1906) are original picture negative and release print on
35mm cellulose nitrate film base, which will inevitably degrade over time due to its age and chemical
composition. The possibility of continuing decay is always an ongoing risk that is being managed
under the management plan detailed at 6.1. It is important to confirm that the content of the film and
accompanying documentation has been copied for both preservation and access purposes.
9
ASSESSMENT OF PRESERVATION
9.1
Please refer to the National Film and Sound Archive’s Collection Policy (Chapter 3 –
Preservation Policy) which details the NFSA’s practices and principles for the management of its
holdings. See Attachment A.
PART C - LODGEMENT
This nomination is lodged by:
(Please print name)………………………………………………………………………...
(Signature)………………………………… (Date)………………………………………