The Castle tops list of favourite Australian Films

1997 classic The Castle is the nation’s favourite Australian film of all time, according to a national cinema survey commissioned by Optus for their Optus Movie Rewards Program.

The majority of Australians surveyed chose The Castle, starring Michael Caton and Anne Tenney, as their all time favourite Australian film, beating Crocodile Dundee and Australia.

Michael Caton’s Darryl Kerrigan, the “battler” father from The Castle, was voted Australia’s favourite movie character with twenty-seven percent of the vote, beating The Drover from Australia and Muriel from Muriel’s Wedding.

Australia’s Favourite Films
1. The Castle
2. Crocodile Dundee
3. Australia
4. Gallipoli
5. Strictly Ballroom
6. Muriel’s Wedding
7. Moulin Rouge
8. Wolf Creek
9. Rabbit-proof Fence
10. Chopper
11. The Piano
12. Two Hands
13. Kenny
14. Animal Kingdom
15. Shine
16. Mad Max
17. Picnic at Hanging Rock
18. Red Dog
19. Priscilla Queen of the Desert
20. Somersault

Australian cinema continues to gather pace and plaudits alike. Future classic The Cup is released this week, while Australia Day 2012 sees the release of the much anticipated Any Questions for Ben?, from the production team behind The Castle; and A Few Best Men, from the writer/director of The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Also due for release next year is Mental, from director PJ Hogan, of Muriel’s Wedding fame.

Australia’s Favourite Characters
1. ‘Dad’ from The Castle
2. ‘Drover’ from Australia
3. ‘Muriel’ from Muriel’s wedding
4. ‘Kenny’ from Kenny
5. ‘Chopper’ from Chopper
6. ‘The Green Fairy’ from Moulin Rouge
7. ‘Jimmy’ from Two Hands
8. ‘Mad Max’
9. ‘Michael’ From Crocodile Dundee (Paul Hogan)
10. ‘Janine Cody’ from Animal Kingdom (Jacki Weaver)

Australia’s Favourite Actors / Actresses
1. Hugh Jackman
2. Heath Ledger
3. Geoffrey Rush
4. Mel Gibson
5. Cate Blanchett
6. Eric Bana
7. Russel Crowe
8. Nicole Kidman
9. Toni Collette
10. Hugo Weaving
11. Paul Hogan
12. Simon Baker
13. Rod Taylor
14. Errol Flynn
15. Sam Worthington
16. Anthony Lapaglia
17. Guy Pearce
18. Jackie Weaver
19. Rose Byrne
20. Jesse Spencer