User comments on this story

• Yaahaarrrr said...

  I'm a pirate.
  Seriously. Posted on Aug 03 2011 06:19

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• Jared DeKuyer said...

  Really very unfortunate that this has died, as do so many others here.
  People claim this is the 2nd time this has happened when it is the 3rd time at least.
  In the mid eighties, Rolf De Heer had a workable screenplay, budget and talent lined up for his own version, which would have featured the local aboriginies heavily.
  Suprise, suprise, someone got cold feet and pulled funding or withdrew permission and the project evaporated.
  I don't think De Heer ever attempted to make a film in WA again after that. Posted on Feb 20 2010 14:50

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• Bruce Bilney said...

  Another coincidence, same day, I saw on news that someone named JONES had been glassed in the face, and I was sort of hoping it might be ALAN . . . No such luck . . . It was VINNIE, who was set to star in Batavia's GraveYard! He'd just finished shooting The Bleeding, then he was bleeding himself. 40 stitches in his face, and it seems he brought it on himself. Might be OK for David Zeevanck . . ! . . Posted on Jan 09 2010 23:57

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• Bruce Bilney said...

  Samuel I saw your comment immediately, 'on ya. Sad for you to have thought you had a part and then nothing. The thing is still there to be done, that's all to the good, the script really needs to be something special and it seems to me the idea of a present-day revenge drama was really wrong-headed. All who know the story want every detail to be true. Funny thing, I just happened to see Paul Verhoeven's prior movie Black Book, the most expensive movie the Dutch have ever made. I happened to have read about it earlier in the day, astonishing coincidence, it was on SBS tonight! I thought it was going to be a rerun of Schindler's List, I was wrong, the script was a bit long and a tad incredible but the leading actress Carice van Houten was very good indeed. I have always seen Lucretia as an orangey-pale redhead (but I would!) and that's how the lovely Carice appeared (to escape notice as a Jew in occupied Holland.) Very convincing too. She would do, and she has an impressive CV, but if it takes several years as it probably must she'll be a little past it for the 27-y-o Lucretia. Pity. Do you know who they had picked for Lucretia, and the crew? I must visit Freo & Geraldton soon. I'd love to be in a push to pick up the pieces and help put it all together. I wrote to Prospero Productions in Freo today, check their record re Batavia!. Watch their fine movie Last Train to Freo.
  The Dutch were apparently prepared to part-fund Batavia's Graveyard too. The interest is all around, everyone knows it's waiting to be done, it needs a clever firm hand at the helm though and a script to be believed in. As it happened. Posted on Jan 09 2010 14:56

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• Samuel said...

  Ha ha, great comment Bruce!
  I live in Geraldton and too auditioned for a fairly substantial role in the Blood Temper Fury film, attended 3 callbacks and found out through my agent that the role was mine.
  Then or course it all fell apart and the rest is history and none of us got the job.
  I have since heard that Paul Verhoeven has ditched plans for his own Batavia mutiny film in just the last year or so, and that's a huge blow to the local film industry.
  Same goes for Tim Wintons low budget 'Dirt Music" movie: Heath Ledger walks away from the lead role to do mega budget, big payday Batman, and Colin Farrell and Rachel Weisz, who were slotted into to replace the now dead Ledger, also bailed in favour of higher budget higher paying roles elsewhere.
  This was a year ago and currently the only actor said to be attached to this project is Steve Innes from Perth, though Don Hany (East West 101) may also be involved.
  Who is responsible for killing a once frenetic and fruitful film industry here?
  Why is no money available for qualirty production and why is there so little investor confidence?
  Why does WA not have a roster of good, mature age performing talent?
  All these people being churned through the automated production lines that WAAPA and NIDA have become and there is nobody suitable, other that the same half dozen bloody faces and high pitched voices we see and hear in almost every single show.
  Never any one fresh or new or with something a bit different. Posted on Jan 09 2010 02:40

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• Bruce Bilney said...

  The Batavia story is the greatest film never made. It awaits entrepreneurship of huge calibre, and demands that the story be told dead-straight, at least as far as its complete skeleton (!) is concerned. There is ample room for creativity in the dialogue and the actions, anybody who wants to mess with the story itself deserves keel-hauling! I personally first heard about it in the 1970's, and have been fascinated ever since, as you-all plainly are. You may read my careful retelling of the story on my website www.ozzigami.com.au on one of the pages. If the links prove hard Google:- Batavia:The Wreck at the End of the World. (But you'll like my site for its unrelated graphics and stuff too I think, so check it if you can.) The most important aspect of the Batavia story is that it is a C17th microcosmic analogy of the global situation now, with too many people on our poor dear planet. Any movie must not miss that dual depth.
  It seems to me no pity that the mooted film with the silly title never got made. The eventual one must be perfect, not some dopey "took me 2 days to come up with the script" retelling. By the way it doesn't need Nicole Kidman or Russell Crowe, it needs ordinary but passionately-committed people like you folks in the string below. And count me in too, there's got to be room for an ageing Ranga! ( Bruce, from Adelaide SA) Posted on Dec 28 2009 02:07

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• Steve said...

  This movie is dead: Will not happen. leading cast have lost interest and moved on, finance withdrawn and the project considered unviable, given the small budget.
  I'm personally pissed off - I auditioned on several occasions and attended callbacks early during casting and won a modest speaking role. I won't get to do it now. Posted on Jul 30 2009 07:28

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• Vince Doran said...

  I'm going back to the Abrolhos Islands next week to shoot a DVD on extreme kayak fishing. Will be staying around the Wallaby group and intend on diving the Batavia site again (5th dive on the site) Can't wait to get back out amongst the Ghosts.
  A mob from South Australia have started filming a multi- $million movie out that way based loosley on what occured on that fateful morning when Batavia ran aground.
  I think its called "Batavia tempest fury" or something along those lines but they are not following the actual historic facts. Its a shame really, blowing all that money on a false historical story,
  PLEASE!!! will someone tell the whole story as acurately as possible? Posted on Apr 22 2008 11:23

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• Rudy Goes said...

  Ik ben een Vlaamse acteur en al heel mijn leven gepassioneerd door de Batavia. Meespelen in die film is mijn ultieme droom! Posted on Apr 21 2008 21:21

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• kym bernath said...

  I would find the movie an absolute must see as I live in Geraldton and have always found the batavia mutiny the worst thing I have ever researched. The content of the film would be horrific if it was made in accordance with the facts. Not only of the ship wreck itself but the pending brutal death of all those poor people wrecked on a bloody awful hunk of rock. I hope a movie is made, maybe I could be an extra and play a stressed out mother ?. After all , I am one of those and a local .Good luck if you proceed with the movie. Posted on Mar 29 2008 09:42

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• Jack Ford said...

  Hands off. Posted on Jan 10 2008 11:14

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• Astrid Sweres said...

  This story is absolutely made for film and would be a great co-production, sharing Dutch and Australian actors and crews. Filming in Australia is a good move budget-wise and also for amazing acting talent...think Russell Crowe for Jeronimus, Jeroen Crabbe for Pelsaert, and Cate Blanchett for Creesje Jans. More gripping than Titanic by a long shot! Contact me if you would like any assistance with script/locations. Posted on Jan 07 2008 01:03

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• Vanessa said...

  I am studying up about this at the moment, after hearing the basic story. I thought it was wonderful material for a film. If you decide to make this, please contact me, as I would love to be involved. I am studying Film next year, and have a background in the Creative Arts. you might also be interested to contact Richard Mills, Australian composer, who made an Opera about Batavia Posted on Jan 02 2008 04:09

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• Vince Doran said...

  I hope this movie goes ahead, the story needs to be told with images. I have been travelling to the Abrolhos islands for a long time now, It's an awesome place. I am a freelance camera operator and if you need my assistance don't hesitate in contacting me. Go for it. Posted on Jan 19 2007 23:30

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• Michael Conner said...

  Great to read that Batavia may be made. I am just finishing the read, and it is a most compelling story. Please get the movie done! Posted on Mar 30 2006 23:54

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