Watch The Back of Beyond

The Back of Beyond is a captivating Australian documentary film, directed by John Heyer, and was released in 1954. The documentary follows Tom Kruse, a mailman who travels to Birdsville, South Australia, every month to carry out mail delivery along the Birdsville Track, a notoriously rough and treacherous outback road spanning over 500 miles.

Tom Kruse, who operates a livestock truck for his mail route, faces numerous extreme challenges in his job. Not only is the terrain rough, but the tracks are only passable with winching, digging, and patching tires. He is also responsible for maintaining the vehicle when it inevitably gets stuck or breaks down, making his job even more perilous.

The film successfully captures the difficulties that Tom Kruse has to face while ensuring the timely delivery of mail to the people who rely on him. It manages to portray the vastness and isolation of the Australian outback, and its harsh beauty in its fullness.

The Back of Beyond features various encounters along the way. Tom meets isolated families living far from civilization, and he effortlessly interacts with them, showing his warmth and empathy towards others. The film also interviews nomads who share their stories of how their ancestors traveled along the Birdsville Track.

The film also portrays the challenges of the environment in the outback. The crew managed to capture some amazing footage of the wildlife that roamed the area. From dingoes, snakes, and lizards to emus and kangaroos, the documentary offers an insight into how the animals have adapted to the harsh conditions of the Australian desert.

Although the film is a documentary, it offers something close to a suspenseful, thrilling experience. The Back of Beyond builds tension with the unpredictability of the outback environment, making each mail dropoff seem increasingly dangerous. The truck's soft tires become a byline, often sinking several inches deep into the sand; Tom's reluctance to tackle log bridges more than ten feet high signals potential danger that could derail his mission.

The documentary is also a wonderful tribute to Tom Kruse, who is an unlikely hero, yet his unwavering commitment to his job and the people it serves elevates him as a cultural icon to this day.

The film's score and narration made significant contributions to the overall impact that it made at the time. The melodious score by Sven Libaek complements the film's runtime, and the narration by John Heyer is precise and factual, providing accurate information and background regarding the areas Tom drives through.

Ultimately, The Back of Beyond is a beautiful and compelling documentary that remains a significant part of Australia's cultural heritage. Its ability to convey the Outback's sense of danger and isolation in such an immersive way remains a hallmark of its unique cinematography that will undoubtedly continue to be watched for generations to come.

The Back of Beyond is a 1954 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 2 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.