Evergreen

84 EVERGREEN Autumn
In 1954, The Seekers went into
cinema history as the first film
with major scenes filmed on
location in New Zealand by an
overseas studio.
Bringing a film crew
halfway across the
world to a country with
limited film-making
facilities was a logistical
challenge 60 years ago, unlike today
where the studio amenities available
are world class.
The J. Arthur Rank organisation
sent 23 personnel from England
including actors Jack Hawkins, Laya
Raki and Noel Purcell, director Ken
Annakin, producer George H. Brown
and cameraman Peter Hennessy for
the filming which took place during
the southern hemisphere summer.
Interior scenes had been shot in
England before their arrival.
New Zealand-born John Guthrie’s
novel about the mounting conflict
between Maori and British migrants
in a small 1820s settlement was
the basis for the script by William
Fairchild.
A film first for
New Zealand
Forty-three-year-old Jack Hawkins
was Britain’s favourite film star
when he came to New Zealand for
the filming. His genuine modesty,
sincerity and easy manner saw him
well-liked by the press
and the holidaymakers
he met during the
location filming.
Glynis Johns, his
screen wife, did not film any of her
scenes in New Zealand. She played
Marion Southey to his Phillip Wayne.
Hawkins had arrived in Auckland
from Sydney on 2nd January 1954.
“The plane trip (from England)
was very tiring,” he said. “I had a
wonderful Christmas with my wife
and two small sons, one day to do
shopping and pack, and I’m sure I
have all the wrong clothes for this
lovely weather.” He was here “to do
a job” and expected little time for
relaxation.
The role was a physical one for
him, seeing him fighting with his fists
instead of his brain, as he had in his
other films. While filming in England,
the Maori extras had taken the