Whitlam Dismissal: Audio flutter (after)

Camera operator Bob Wilesmith was working for Channel 7 in the Parliament House bureau in Canberra on 11 November 1975, the day Governor-General Sir John Kerr dismissed Prime Minister Gough Whitlam and his government from office. His footage of the day's momentous events is significant because, as far as we are aware, it is the only original film of this historical event that still exists. 

When Gough Whitlam utters ‘Well may we say “God save the Queen”’ in Wilesmith’s footage, notice that there is a fluttering to the audio. This flutter is a variation in pitch caused by rapid fluctuations in speed. While the condition of the mag stripe soundtrack itself was good, it had scratches and distortions common to film audio of this vintage.

As Bob explains, 'My footage I know, because I had the CP-16 film camera, and it had what we call a "wow" sound head. And it was worn, and the voice is a little bit raspy. I wince every time I hear it.'

Without performing a full restoration, NFSA Audio Services have cleaned up clicks, thumps, noise and distortion on the audio. To the untrained ear, there is little noticeable difference in sound quality, but the amount of flutter has been minimised.

Read more about The 1975 Whitlam Dismissal: Preserving the Footage