Back of Beyond

[barryqwalsh]

The remarkable story behind the making of that classic 1954 film 'The Back of Beyond' and the man it was all about, Tom Kruse.


Landline

 

[barryqwalsh]

Big Tom Kruse was a real Australian hero. He delivered the mail to outback stations and towns. He wore trousers tied up with a piece of string, saggy leather boots without any laces and a shady canvas hat to shield the sun from his eyes.'


IAN DOYLE, REPORTER: It's a story about the mailmen, dam-sinkers and carriers, who worked in the country back of beyond. They helped create our national identity, based on mateship, endurance and hard work. Their deeds, lives and struggles have been etched into the national consciousness in film, photos, paintings, verse, sound and song. And the men made famous worldwide by a movie; William Henry Butler and EG Kruse.

(Excerpt from 'The Back Of Beyond', 1954)

Back of Beyond - Landline - ABC