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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
Set in a suburb of Sydney's North Shore on the night of the 1969 Australian Federal Election, this is a cinematic adaptation of David Williamson's 1971 satire of university-educated, upwardly mobile Australian Labor Party supporters. The gathering is hoping to celebrate the ALP's victory after two decades of conservative government, but as the results are televised throughout the night, this appears increasingly unlikely. The men then devote their energies to drinking and debauching with the younger women, much to the anger of their wives or girlfriends. As the night wears on and hopes fade, there is fighting and much disappointment.
The film's satire (as with the play) achieves its bite through a sense of what passes for naturalism. The essential ockerism of the men becomes more apparent as the party degenerates and the alcohol takes over. The critical focus sharpens and the humour becomes more cynical.
Notes
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Williamson's stage version was set in an outer suburb of Melbourne.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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Why Old Is New Again - the Mid-century Homes Made Famous by Don’s Party and Dame Edna
2019
single work
column
— Appears in: The Conversation , 19 July 2019; -
Don’s Party Rewatched – Both Time Capsule and Evergreen Political Drama
2015
single work
review
— Appears in: The Guardian Australia , 23 January 2015;
— Review of Don's Party 1976 single work film/TV -
Cinematographer in the Frame for Highest Honour
2011
single work
column
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 23 November 2011; (p. 11) -
I'm Written Out, but It'll Be Right on the Night
2010
single work
column
— Appears in: The Australian , 22 September 2010; (p. 3) -
Australian Masculinities
2009
single work
criticism
— Appears in: Messengers of Eros : Representations of Sex in Australian Writing 2009; (p. 97-117) This criticism looks at the forms of maleness celebrated by Australian writers and how that 'maleness' is not just constructed by men. Women, Pons argues, contribute to this construction.
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Pure Shit : Don's Party
1977
single work
review
— Appears in: Theatre Australia , June vol. 2 no. 2 1977; (p. 64)
— Review of Don's Party 1976 single work film/TV -
Don’s Party Rewatched – Both Time Capsule and Evergreen Political Drama
2015
single work
review
— Appears in: The Guardian Australia , 23 January 2015;
— Review of Don's Party 1976 single work film/TV -
The Party's Over
2007
single work
essay
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 15 September 2007; (p. 5-6) David Williamson compares the Australia of today with the one of over 35 years ago and looks at what the characters would be talking about if Don's Party had been written in 2007. -
Australian Masculinities
2009
single work
criticism
— Appears in: Messengers of Eros : Representations of Sex in Australian Writing 2009; (p. 97-117) This criticism looks at the forms of maleness celebrated by Australian writers and how that 'maleness' is not just constructed by men. Women, Pons argues, contribute to this construction. -
I'm Written Out, but It'll Be Right on the Night
2010
single work
column
— Appears in: The Australian , 22 September 2010; (p. 3) -
Cinematographer in the Frame for Highest Honour
2011
single work
column
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 23 November 2011; (p. 11) -
Interview by Neil McDonald and Peter Gerdes
1979
single work
interview
— Appears in: The Australian Journal of Screeen Theory , no. 7 1979; (p. 138-147) David Williamson 1988; (p. 98-106)
Awards
- 1977 nominated Australian Film Institute Awards — Best Film
- 1977 winner Australian Film Institute Awards — Best Adapted Screenplay — Best Screenplay (Original or Adapted)
- Sydney Northern Suburbs, Sydney, New South Wales,
- 1960s