MovieChat Forums > Island of Love (1963) Discussion > Hydra

Hydra

posted 21 years ago by maljam
3 replies | jump to latest

My main interest in this film is based upon a family of expatriate Australians living on the Greek island of Hydra, when this film was shot there in 1962. Writers George Johnston and Charmain Clift, along with their children Martin, Shane and Jason, lived on Hydra for c.10 years. Johnston started work on his novel, "My Brother Jack" not long after this film was shot. According to biographer Nadia Wheatley's book, "The Life and Myth of Charmain Clift" (Flamingo, Sydney 2001), Charmain can be glimsped in the background in some shots sitting at an outdoor cafe wearing a large-brimmed hat, acting herself. The children were actually paid extras, and can be seen running down a cobbled lane together (Wheatley 2001, p.699).
Although I have never seen this film, as I said my main interest is the location where this family lived in a critical time in their lives, and this film would provide some fascinating background for me. Unfortunately, it appears this film is no longer available for general release via video or dvd etc.
Does anyone know where a copy might be available for viewing?

Thanx

Maljam - Australia
June 2003
[email protected]

[–] 21 years ago

[deleted]

[–] nickgio 16 years ago

It was on Channel 9 HD channel in Australia late night on Tue 2 June '08. Obviously a very rare screening of an odd little film. It's the worst performance I've ever seen from Tony Randall & Walter Matthau and that's saying something. Robert Preston is completely miscast. Michael Considine the father from 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding has a small part as a barman. They shot it on the island of Hydra and it's great to see the islands in the early 60's before the onset of commercial tourism. It's worth seeing the film just for that. Apart from the great Australian novelist George Johnston,another famous artist who lived on this island at around the same time was Leonard Cohen. His song 'Bird on a wire' was written on Hydra. This film is well worth a look for film buffs as it was also director Morton DaCosta's last film as he returned to the Broadway stage after this picture flopped. Only a year earlier he has been nominated for an Oscar for best film for being the director/producer of 'The Music Man'.

[–] Mike-957 14 years ago

This title has just been released in Wide Screen by the Warner Brothers archive collection. See the wb.shop website. Cheers, Mike