History at its most twisted


The Emu War ★★★

IF ONLY some more money had been thrown at The Emu War.

This outrageously silly Australian comedy is at times flat-out hilarious but, sadly, won’t be seen by many.

Its ultra-low budget means the film won’t get a cinema release and is going to be hard to find even on streaming services.

Damian Callinan is very good in the lead role of an army squadron leader sent behind enemy lines to capture their leader.

But the enemy are a huge mob of intelligent emus led by their own warrior queen. The emus, who can fire rifles, are in a guerilla war with the Australian army in the middle of the outback.

Among the team sent to hunt down the queen emu is the squadron leader’s own daughter whom he doesn’t recognise because she is disguised as one of the men.

The myriad of supporting characters includes the very inappropriate Prime Minister Harold Holt and an Asian Ned Kelly.

Yes, it’s stupid; yes, it looks amateurish; and yes, I laughed out loud many times.

Hunt it down if you can.