
A beautifully photographed montage of Sydney’s architecture, streets, people and modes of transport that is rapidly edited to orchestrated music. Summary by Poppy de Souza.
This clip shows the only extended sequence of the documentary that is without commentary, letting the images speak for themselves. The projection of a modern city in this sequence focuses on the buildings, the transportation, and the bustling crowds which all intersect with each other in a clash of chiaroscuro. These images of Sydney’s architecture, shot from various artistic angles and bathed in degrees of light and shade, also highlight Frank Hurley’s talent as a photographer. His discerning eye can be seen throughout this documentary which lends an authenticity and sense of monument to the film. Hurley was perhaps best known for his work as the official photographer for Douglas Mawson’s 1911 Australasian Antarctic Expedition (see Home of the Blizzard on this site). See also the documentary Frank Hurley: The Man Who Made History.
Note also in this clip that trams can be seen running up and down the streets. The last of Sydney’s trams ceased operation in 1961, and this clip is a valuable visual record of the cityscape before the tramlines were completely removed.
This sprawling and patriotic documentary uses actuality footage, historical re-enactments, fictionalised scenes and propaganda to chronicle Australia’s development and progress as a nation. It was sponsored by the Government of New South Wales and made by Cinesound Productions to celebrate Australia’s sesquicentenary – marking the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the first fleet of European settlers.
A Nation is Built begins with an extended prologue which, through explanatory title cards, contextualises white settlement history from the moment Captain Arthur Phillip landed at Port Jackson. This is done with the patriotic British 'Pomp and Circumstance’ playing in the background which creates the mood of the film (it is also reprised for the closing sequence). The film then moves into a short series of historical re-enactments which serve to provide the colonial context in pictures before detailing a ‘panorama of nationhood’ which focuses on the developments across primary industry in New South Wales, showcasing wool, mining, timber, dairy and wheat as well as the state’s natural resources, landscape and fauna.
This film conveys a patriotic view of Australia’s history by conflating the ideas of nation, land and people. One of the original daybills advertising the film declared it ‘Australia’s own romantic story of a century and a half of national progress and achievement’. This romanticism is helped by the cinematography of Frank Hurley. Hurley was the chief cameraman for Cinesound Productions and by the time this film was made had been working for them for six years. By this time, he had virtual creative rein over Cinesound’s newly created industrial division and his creative mark on this film is pronounced – he shot, scripted, directed and produced it. Hurley spent over six months in production and travelled over 19,000 kilometres throughout New South Wales and shot approximately 20,000 feet of film.
A Nation is Built had its theatrical release in February 1938 at the Prince Edward Theatre in Sydney and was a ‘big hit with local audiences’. To a contemporary viewer, the ideas of nationhood portrayed in this film have been altered by recognition of Indigenous communities, subsequent waves of immigration, increased engagement with the Asia-Pacific, and changes in the geopolitical landscape. It is very much a film of its time.
Notes by Poppy de Souza
This black-and-white clip shows Sydney in 1938, using a montage of images to represent it as a bustling, vibrant city, including shots of the central business district with its mix of colonial and modern architecture, and art deco buildings such as the City Mutual Life Building. Included are glimpses of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Harbour, ferries, the rail network, streets busy with pedestrians, trams and cars, and a policeman directing traffic. The clip also shows shots of statues, including the Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park, as well as buildings under construction. The clip is accompanied by lively music.
Education notes provided by The Learning Federation and Education Services Australia
This clip starts approximately 13 minutes into the documentary.
A train is crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. A ship sails underneath the bridge. Cars drive down the city streets. Sydneysiders walk the footpaths as trams whiz by. A policeman waves traffic through an intersection. We see views of some of Sydney’s architecture, public sculptures and fountains. A new building is under construction. Ships sail through Sydney Harbour.
The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia acknowledges Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live and gives respect to their Elders both past and present.