Mike Munro introduces a story by reporter Rachel Friend about 'the next big thing' in Hollywood - Heath Ledger. The story was broadcast on 29 March 2000 and looks at the then-21-year-old actor's meteoric rise, including clips from several of his films on the eve of the release of The Patriot (Ronald Emmerich, USA, 2000).

A chase sequence from Two Hands (Gregor Jordan, Australia, 1999) shows Ledger with co-star Rose Byrne in Sydney's Kings Cross. The dark city streets, tracking shots and fast-paced editing are good examples of how to build tension in a film. Though only a short clip, Ledger's charisma in the role of the clueless but likeable Jimmy comes across instantly.

Excerpts from a trailer for The Patriot are shown to highlight the big-budget international roles Ledger is commanding – the film reportedly had a $100 million budget. It is clear from the footage that veteran Australian actor Mel Gibson is the star of the film and Rachel Friend talks with Ledger about what it was like to work with someone of Gibson's calibre. The clip’s special effects, pyrotechnics, ambitious battle sequences and lush sets and costumes effectively grab the viewer’s attention and are good choices to illustrate the film’s dramatic action and big budget.

The report includes behind-the-scenes footage from 10 Things I Hate About You (Gil Junger, USA, 1999), which Ledger considers to have been his breakthrough film. Here we get an idea of the broad scope of Ledger's talents as he confidently sings and dances on set, while staying on his mark as the camera follows his every move on a dolly. Though brief, it’s a good insight into how some film sequences are shot.

Ledger opens up about the 'identity crisis as an actor' he had when working on Sweat (1996), as we see vision of a much younger Ledger in the show. Unfortunately the clip from Ledger's first recurring role on television is so brief we barely get the chance to assess his performance, aside from an awkward facial expression mid-scene. His comment later illuminates this: 'I had no idea what I was doing, I had no idea what the camera was doing, what my face was doing, what my hands [were] doing... I was ready to quit'. The clip itself, with Ledger stripping off in a change room, is clearly targeted at a teenage audience.

Another very brief clip of Ledger and Julia Stiles from 10 Things I Hate About You sitting on a pedal boat shows the good looks and charm that has made Ledger Hollywood's new teen heartthrob. The obviously contemporary setting of the scene juxtaposes Rachel Friend's voice-over talking about Ledger shooting a film set in the 15th century (A Knight's Tale, Brian Helgeland, USA, 2001).

In conclusion, Ledger - ever the hard-working actor – says, 'I'm happy ... but I've got a longer career I'd like to chisel out first before I sit back and smile'.

Notes by Beth Taylor

Heath Ledger's family accept the Best Supporting Actor Oscar at the 81st Annual Academy Awards for Ledger's performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight (Christopher Nolan, USA, 2008).

In accepting the award on his son's behalf, Kim Ledger says 'This award tonight would have humbly validated Heath's quiet determination to be truly accepted by you all here - his peers - within an industry he so loved.'

The 81st Academy Awards, honouring movies released in 2008, was held at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Los Angeles on 22 February 2009.

Notes by Beth Taylor

For his first big Hollywood role, Heath Ledger played Patrick Verona in the film 10 Things I Hate About You (Gil Junger, USA, 1999). The film is a modern reworking of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew (circa 1590-1) retold in the setting of an American high school and was a box-office smash.

Complete here with tattoo, necklace, an intense expression on his face and a seductive reclined pose, Ledger plays the part of a laconic Aussie-through-a-Hollywood-lens 90s hunk perfectly. The circles tattoo is Ledger’s own.

This was a breakout role for Ledger, reluctantly turning him into a teen idol and sex symbol and it’s easy to see why, with his good looks and affable charm. Determined to be more than a heartthrob, the part also gave Ledger the opportunity to show off his singing and dancing chops.

Ledger could have played a string of these hunky roles but he was determined to not get typecast and instead to follow the path of the great character actors. Leaving us with only 18 films it is poignant to imagine the roles he could have gone on to inhabit.

Notes by Beth Taylor

Desperate for a swim, Jimmy (Heath Ledger) buries an envelope containing $10,000 in the sand at Bondi beach. While he’s in the water, street kids Helen (Mariel McClorey) and Pete (Evan Sheaves) steal the money. The ghost of Jimmy’s brother (Steve Vidler) sets out some themes of the story, as Jimmy discovers his mistake.

Summary by Paul Byrnes.

Ledger was a keen chess player and won a chess championship in Perth at the age of 10.

At the time of his death he was planning to perform in and direct a feature film about a chess prodigy in an adaptation of The Queen’s Gambit by Walter Tevis (1983).

Photo: Heath Ledger, 19 April 2001. Photographer: Karin Catt.

Notes by Beth Taylor

Two Hands (1999) Director Gregor Jordan, interviewed by Paul Harris for 3RRR FM's Film Buffs Forecast, talks about casting the role of Jimmy in the film and how he came across Heath Ledger.

The cover image for this radio piece shows Heath Ledger as Jimmy and Rose Byrne as Alex in Two Hands. Photographer Stuart Spence created this portrait around the filming of Jimmy and Alex’s first date: 'Working on set everyday, watching their characters interact made it so much easier having Heath and Rose replay their parts offset, on my little location studio sets … You do have to be in the moment and keep still to get the nuance of characters as they evolve in front of you.'

Notes by Beth Taylor

In July 2008, The Dark Knight (Christopher Nolan, USA, 2008) set a new box-office record for the highest-grossing opening weekend of all time in the US. The film toppled the previous record set only the year before by Spider-Man 3 (Sam Raimi, USA, 2007).

This news item from Win News, Tasmania uses a report by Peter Stefanovic from the Nine Network. It focuses on the excitement of fans keen to see The Dark Knight for the first time.

Short excerpts from both The Dark Knight and Spider-Man 3 are interspersed throughout the broadcast. These clips feature explosions, superheroes and feats of strength and agility, amounting to action sequences of intense drama that would clearly be attractive to filmgoers. The fast-paced editing is highly effective in heightening the excitement. They are excellent examples of successfully bringing the comic book genre to cinema.

Notes by Beth Taylor

Early in his career Heath Ledger starred as Snowy Bowles - a young, gay cyclist - in the 26-part series Sweat, pitched at young adults.

Set in an Australian school for athletically-gifted teens, Snowy is subjected to homophobic abuse in this clip, which leads him to come out to his friend Danny (played by Matt Castelli).

When talking on A Current Affair in 2000, Ledger said this role – his first recurring part in a series – almost led to him quitting acting. He commented, 'I had no idea what I was doing ... what my hands [were] doing... I was ready to quit'.

It is clear that Ledger and his fellow young actors are somewhat nervous novices, even under the guidance of the experienced director, Dan Burstall (The Flying Doctors, Heartbreak High). This results in some awkward dialogue, gestures and blocking in these two scenes.

Ledger might not know what to do with his hands, but he definitely has an authentic screen presence and he makes you empathise with the dilemmas Snowy faces. This is a great example of his early work. It was also significant to have an out gay main character in an Australian TV series like this in the late 1990s.

Want more? Explore 9 Australian Hollywood stars who started in Australian soap operas

Notes by Beth Taylor

Heath Ledger is considered a favourite to take home the Best Actor Oscar for his performance in Brokeback Mountain (Ang Lee, USA, 2005).

This Nine News report by Christine Spiteri features short clips from Brokeback Mountain showing snippets of Ledger's heartbreakingly repressed performance as a gay cowboy unable to admit his love for a fellow cowboy, played by Jake Gyllenhaal.

Ledger's understated performance in this clip is a fine example of his desire to take on roles that extended his craft beyond simply being a heartthrob. Though the clip is short, we can see how Ledger effectively uses his voice and posture to transform himself into a character who is internally conflicted.

In order to give a flavour of what Australia's Ledger is up against we see a brief clip from Capote (Bennett Miller, USA, 2005), starring Philip Seymour Hoffman. The clip, however, is too brief to demonstrate why Hoffman went on to win the Academy Award for Best Actor.

A very short excerpt from Crash (Paul Haggis, USA, 2004) is used to illustrate Brokeback Mountain's main competition for Best Picture. Again the clip is far too short to really give us any indication as to the story’s strength and why it won Best Picture.

From the comparative length of the clips, as well as the reporting, it is clear that all of Australia's hopes for a win are pinned on Brokeback Mountain starring Ledger.

Although unsuccessful on this occasion, Ledger went on to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor at the 81st Annual Academy Awards for his performance as The Joker in The Dark Knight (Christopher Nolan, USA, 2008).

Notes by Beth Taylor

In this excerpt from Paul Harris' interview with Heath Ledger he talks about finding the right 'voice' for the character of Ennis in the film Brokeback Mountain (2005).

This excerpt is taken from the podcast version of the Film Buffs Forecast radio program broadcast on 3RRR FM, dated 21 January 2006. 

This excerpt from Film Buffs Podcast by Brett Cropley published under Creative Commons 2.5.

Photo: Frances Andrijich
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Dan (Heath Ledger) and Candy (Abbie Cornish) visit Casper (Geoffrey Rush), an old friend of Dan’s who’s an associate professor of organic chemistry. He often makes his own heroin. Dan borrows $100 for a hit. He and Candy time their rush for when they’re in an automated car wash. By the time the car is clean, they’re both semi-conscious.

Summary by Paul Byrnes.

Gregor Jordan, Director of Two Hands (1999) interviewed by Paul Harris for 3RRR FM's Film Buffs Forecast, shares his thoughts on Heath Ledger as an actor.

Cover image of Heath Ledger in the Yellow Kitchen at Jacksue Gallery, Perth, 1999.
Photo: Frances Andrijich
Facebook: Frances Andrijich Photographer
Instagram: @francesandrijich.

Heath Ledger, interviewed in January 2006 by Paul Harris for 3RRR FM's Film Buffs Forecast, addresses the controversy around the screenplay for Brokeback Mountain (2005) and how he views the job of an actor.

This excerpt from Film Buffs Podcast by Brett Cropley is published under Creative Commons 2.5.

Cover image: Heath Ledger with Bell & Howell 70D 16mm motion picture camera, 19 April 2001.
Photo: Karin Catt.

Heath Ledger’s guest starring role on Home and Away was just ten episodes long, but he made quite the impact as bad boy Scott Irwin. His stories were mainly focused on his romance and rancour with Sally Fletcher, played by Kate Ritchie. Extra spice was added when the two were rumoured to be dating.

In this clip, Scott finally gets his comeuppance. His scheme to get Sally in trouble at school backfires and he finds himself in the principal’s office. When Mr Fisher, played by Norman Coburn, tells him that he’ll be excluded, Scott erupts into a tantrum, and the two face off. Coburn and Ledger pour intensity into the moment when we wonder whether or not Scott will back down. He does, and it’s off to Yabby Creek High for him.

Not long after, Ledger starred in the teen rom-com Ten Things I Hate About You, now regarded as a 2000s classic. He didn’t spend long in comedy territory, preferring deeper and darker roles like the Joker in The Dark Knight (for which he received a posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor) and Ennis in Brokeback Mountain (for which he won a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor and was compared to Brando). His death at 28 from an accidental prescription-drug overdose cut short what would surely have been his enduring fame. 

This episode of Home and Away was directed by Philip East.

Romantic tragedy Brokeback Mountain (Ang Lee, USA, 2005) starred Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal as Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist.

The expressions on Ledger and Gyllenhaal’s faces in this poster encapsulate the love, sadness and unspoken desire at the heart of the film, which tells the story of two men - a cowboy and a farmhand – who fall in love. Their stance and costumes here are effective examples of the acceptable brand of masculine behaviour and dress that is represented in the film, including no eye contact, muted facial expressions, no touch, cowboy hats and lots of denim.

The poster’s tagline - ‘Love is a force of nature’ - echoes the beautiful and sometimes harsh physical and emotional situations faced by the two men. The Rocky Mountains, where much of the film is set, are pictured in the background.

Brokeback Mountain is a very significant film in Ledger’s career. He won many awards for his performance, including the New York Film Critics’ Circle Award and the San Francisco Film Critics’ Circle for Best Actor and Best International Actor from the Australian Film Institute (AFI). He was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role and for the Academy Award for Best Actor, with The New York Times comparing him with Marlon Brando and Sean Penn.

The poster has been signed by the film's director Ang Lee and cast members Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway, Michelle Williams, Anna Faris, and Linda Cardellini, making it a valuable piece in our collection of Heath Ledger memorabilia.

The film is based on Annie Proulx’s story of the same name, which was published in The New Yorker in 1997.

Notes by Beth Taylor

Actor Bryan Brown talks about working with Heath Ledger on Two Hands (1999) when Ledger was 20 years old and just starting out. Brown tells the anecdote of talking with writer Thomas Keneally after a screening of Two Hands. Keneally said to Brown 'That young bloke, he's going to be a star'.

This interview was recorded in 2014 as part of the NFSA's Heath Ledger Young Artists Oral History Project, which aimed to record the thoughts and aspirations of audiovisual artists at the start of their careers.

Notes by Beth Taylor

Ned (Heath Ledger), Dan Kelly (Laurence Kinlan), Steve Hart (Philip Barantini) and Joe Byrne (Orlando Bloom) lie in wait at the police bush camp near Stringybark Creek. Ned has already shot Constable Lonigan (Peter Phelps) after the policeman refused to put down his gun and fired at Ned. When the other two police return, they also go for their weapons, after being told to drop them.

Ned shoots Constable Scanlan (Eddy McShortall) on his horse and chases Sgt Kennedy (Anthony Hayes) into the undergrowth, both men firing at each other. Ned repeatedly calls on Kennedy to surrender, but the sergeant keeps firing. Ned fires back, wounding him a second time. He tries to comfort the sergeant, who is in great distress.

Summary by Paul Byrnes.

Actor Damon Herriman talks about working with Heath Ledger on the film Candy (Neil Armfield, Australia, 2006).

This is an excerpt of Lorna Lesley's oral history interview with Herriman from 2015. Listen to Herriman's complete oral history.

Tracy (Bojana Novakovic) is being passed over the heads of her friends at a party. Toby (Heath Ledger) reminds Jared (Laurence Breuls) that he is meant to be going out with Toby’s sister, not flirting with Tracy. They start pushing each other around and Toby throws a punch. Ricko (Simon Lyndon) steps in and things get so nasty that Jared has to call him off. Jared storms off.

Summary by Sandy George.

This evocative music video for 'Morning Yearning' by Ben Harper was directed by Heath Ledger.

The song features on the album Both Sides of the Gun. Harper and Ledger were close friends.

At only 21 years old Ledger became a Hollywood leading man when he played English peasant cum jousting knight William Thatcher in the playfully anachronistic medieval romp A Knight’s Tale (Brian Helgeland, USA, 2001).

The role called for dashing good looks, physical stamina, horseriding, comic turns, steamy romance, singing and laid-back hunkiness. As you can see in this portrait created to publicise the film, the armoured, blonde Ledger has effortless charm in swords (ahem, spades).

Capable of being much more than just a poster boy, the role represents a progression in character development, billing and the assurance of his performance from his first Hollywood turn as naughty teen dream Patrick Verona in 10 Things I Hate About You (Gil Junger, USA, 1999).

When referring to this role film historian Graham Shirley makes the comparison between fellow Aussie Errol Flynn and Ledger, calling him a ‘dashing hero’.

Although Ledger’s face was used to promote the movie in posters and publicity photographs like this one, he maintained that it was an ensemble movie. He was known as a team player and for his generosity with other actors, borne out by Damon Herriman’s story about working with Ledger in Candy (Neil Armfield, Australia, 2006) featured in this collection.

Determined not to be typecast as just a heartthrob, Ledger played diverse and emotionally challenging roles including the sensitive, repressed son of an abusive prison warden in Monster’s Ball (Marc Forster, USA, 2001), a heroin addict in Candy, a dimension of Bob Dylan’s personality in I’m Not There (Todd Haynes, USA, 2007) and the psychopathic Joker in the Batman film The Dark Knight (Christopher Nolan, USA, 2008), for which he won a posthumous Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor.

Notes by Beth Taylor

This signed publicity portrait of Heath Ledger as Ennis Del Mar was created to promote the film Brokeback Mountain (2005). Ledger looks every bit the part of an American sheep herder in the 1960s, wearing a cowboy hat and denim jeans, with his dogs and knapsack nearby. His pained expression here echoes the emotionally tortured situation Ennis finds himself in - in love with his best friend Jack, but unwilling to start a life with him for fear of violence and being separated from his children.

The natural beauty of the film’s setting is showcased in the image with mountains and forest in the background. The film was set in Wyoming in the Rocky Mountains and filmed in the Canadian Rockies in southern Alberta.

It’s amazing to see how much Ledger has matured as an actor from his first US role in 10 Things I Hate About You (Gil Junger, USA, 1999) to his layered and emotionally rich performance in Brokeback, when you compare this image with the publicity shot of him as a teen idol in 10 Things. It is poignant to imagine what he would have gone on to do if it weren’t for his untimely death. A character actor at heart, Ledger was determined to always break new ground with each role.

Brokeback Mountain is an important film in Ledger’s career. Del Mar has little to say, so Ledger’s performance is masterfully told through body language and facial expression. He won many awards for the performance, including the New York Film Critics’ Circle Award and the San Francisco Film Critics’ Circle for Best Actor and Best International Actor from the Australian Film Institute (AFI). He was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role and for the Academy Award for Best Actor, with The New York Times comparing him favourably to Marlon Brando and Sean Penn.

Notes by Beth Taylor

Dan (Heath Ledger) has just had a hit in the bathroom at Candy’s parents’ house, during their wedding reception. He returns to a boring conversation with her uncle about real estate, but his senses are overtaken by the heroin. Candy (Abbie Cornish) has to wake him in the middle of the conversation. Mrs Wyatt (Noni Hazlehurst) asks Candy what’s going on. In a fast food restaurant later, Candy and Dan discuss giving up using. He says she just has to say the word.

Summary by Paul Byrnes.

Candy (Abbie Cornish) and Dan (Heath Ledger) have rented a shack in the country after Candy’s miscarriage. Her parents come for Sunday lunch but the chicken is past its use-by date, and still frozen solid by lunchtime. Candy gets angry when her mother (Noni Hazlehurst) marches into the kitchen. Mrs Wyatt explodes in anger – first at Candy, then at Dan. Candy responds with her own anger, aimed straight at her mother.

Summary by Paul Byrnes.

At his sister-in-law’s family home, Jimmy (Heath Ledger) meets two armed robbers. Deirdre (Susie Porter) has set up a job with them, so that Jimmy can get the $10,000 he needs to pay back his debt to Pando (Bryan Brown). Wozza (Steve Le Marquand) explains the theory behind armed robbery, as his wheelman Craig (Kieran Darcy-Smith) nurses one of the several small children running around the house.

Summary by Paul Byrnes.

Jimmy (Heath Ledger) meets Alex (Rose Byrne) in a pub in Chinatown, but she’s followed by Les (Kiri Paramore), another small-time hood who wants to get on Pando’s good side. Les calls Acko (David Field), who’s out looking for Jimmy. Pando (Bryan Brown) is at home, making paper dinosaurs with his son Jake (Adam Muncu) when he hears they have found Jimmy. Alex and Jimmy have to make a run for it.

Summary by Paul Byrnes.

Heath Ledger directed this animated music video for 'King Rat' by Modest Mouse. The video's concept of a whale hunting people was designed to raise awareness about the practice of whale hunting.

The video was completed after Ledger's death. A title card at the end reads 'This began with our friend, a great defender of life, and was completed in his spirit'.

Notes by Beth Taylor

While Ned Kelly (Heath Ledger) dallies with Julia Cook (Naomi Watts), the English wife of his employer, Dan Kelly (Laurence Kinlan) and Joe Byrne (Orlando Bloom) throw Constable Fitzpatrick (Kiri Paramore) out of the Kelly farmhouse, after his drunken advances toward Kate Kelly (Kerry Condon). Joe Byrne advises Ned and Dan to clear out for a few days to let things blow over. 

Summary by Paul Byrnes.

A large number of police have surrounded the Glenrowan Inn. Ned Kelly and his gang attempt to release the hostages, but the nervous police open fire in the darkness and heavy rain. Superintendent Hare (Geoffrey Rush) calls on his men to cease fire, but several civilians are mortally wounded. Ned (Heath Ledger), Dan Kelly (Laurence Kinlan), Joe Byrne (Orlando Bloom) and the youngest, Steve Hart (Philip Barantini), don their newly-made armour to face the police. Ned is wounded in the left arm by the first police volley. Many police are wounded by their return fire.

Summary by Paul Byrnes.

This is a continuity polaroid of Heath Ledger as Ned Kelly, 2003.

It is a good example of how photos like this are used for instructional purposes on set.

Note the handwritten addition of where the gun should be placed.

This is a copy of an original drawing by costume designer Anna Borghesi for the film Ned Kelly (2003).

The sketch is of the front and back view of the costume, including the waistcoat, trousers, shirt and tie worn by Ned Kelly (Heath Ledger). The subject is holding a pistol in his right hand and particular attention is paid to the design of the shirt cuff.

The sketch indicates how the designer imagines the character will be dressed in the movie. It provides a clear sense of the designer's vision and is also a well-executed drawing in its own right.

This is the second music video Heath Ledger directed for his friend, Australian hip hop artist, N'fa.

The clip was shot in Sydney through Babyfoot productions, Rocking Chair Productions and The Masses.

Photographer Hugh Hartshorne captured this still representing an early scene from Candy (Neil Armfield, Australia, 2006). Dan and Candy spin on an amusement ride, oblivious to their watching friends and family and before their lives begin a relentlessly and impassively observed downward spiral.  

Their passionate entanglement here in this portrait became the key art for the film, and the image lives on in Australian cultural memory.

The film is an adaptation of Luke Davies' memoir of love and addiction set in the 1980s.

Heath Ledger in the LA River, 2003.
Photo: Ben Watts
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This video for Australian hip hop artist N'fa was directed by Heath Ledger. It comes from the album Cause An Effect.

Heath Ledger at Guildford Grammar Preparatory School, 1989.

This is a continuity Polaroid of Heath Ledger as Ned Kelly, 2003.

This photo was taken to note, in particular, the collar position on the shirt.

It offers a good example of the attention to detail that these photos recorded.

Three different views of a replica of Ned Kelly's helmet and body armour that was made for Heath Ledger playing the title role in the 2003 film Ned Kelly.

The costume consists of two pieces: a helmet, with neck protection and a horizontal eye-slot; and body armour consisting of a breast, back and groin plate, connected by galvanised wire and brown leather straps. The breastplate has rivets down the centre at the front and back.

Ned Kelly's armour is iconic, thanks in part to the 'letterbox' eye-slot on the helmet. This image provides us with a good opportunity to see the armour in its entirety.

It documents the realistic work of costume designer Anna Borghesi and her team, as well as armourer John Fox, especially since this suit is actually made of fibreglass and not metal.

Heath Ledger at Jacksue Gallery, Perth, 1999.
Photo: Frances Andrijich
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Blackrock (1997) was inspired by the tragic events surrounding the murder of teenager Leigh Leigh. Nick Enright first adapted the story into a 45-minute play called Property of the Clan, which premiered in 1992. Blackrock features the first feature film performance of Heath Ledger and debuted at the Sundance Film Festival on 24 January 1997 before opening in Australian cinemas on 1 May 1997.

This poster for the film, with its hard black title over a frenzied, blood red background, graphically and effectively describes the tragedy upon which the film is based. The photos are leached of colour and are printed in monochrome, the main image being of a troubled male teenager. The tagline, ‘One Party. One Witness. No One’s Talking’, is depicted as if created by a Dymo letter printer, which gives the words a harsh, cold and impersonal feeling.

Notes by Adam Blackshaw