The story of how in 1932 on election night, five thieves broke into the strong room of the National Bank in Cloncurry in Outback Queensland and made off with £11,000 is being made into a movie.
The story of the five thieves, six stolen keys, slumbering bank managers and the missing money is being told as a short film and, because of the Cloncurry Shire Council’s innovative Film Incentive Program, it’s been filmed right where it all happened.
Cloncurry is rolling out the red carpet for film makers, encouraging them to make the most of its remarkable outback location by providing important and needed film incentives. Cloncurry Shire Council is one of only two Queensland Council’s that is actively collaborating with producers to film in the region.
On the back of being the spectacular location for Channel 10’s Survivor in 2021, this small Outback Queensland town of some 3,000 people is currently starring in The Bank Manager, a short film about the legendary robbery by Quamby Studios’ Luke and Madeleine Chaplain.
Filmmakers, writer, producers and actors, Luke and Madeleine, grew up on Malakoff Station outside Cloncurry hearing about the legend of the bank robbery. They were motivated to capture the story on film, to ensure the folk legend lives on, and to film authentically in the town and on the ground where it happened, rather than on-location elsewhere or in-studio.
In perfect timing, the filmmaker siblings are the first to make the most of the local initiative.
“It’s quite revolutionary what Cloncurry Shire Council is doing with their film incentive. It’s been a collaborative approach from the very beginning. Their willingness to pivot and adapt is a huge incentive for filmmakers. This problem solving attitude, along with the region’s diversity of architecture and landscapes, makes it the perfect filming location,” said Luke Chaplain, who now splits his time between Cloncurry and Brisbane, where his sister lives.
The Bank Manager is a comedic drama that tells the story of the 1932 Cloncurry bank robbery. The film storyline is based on real events, and will focus on key moments that led to the successful robbery.
The all Queensland cast and crew have just spent five days filming in Cloncurry, with some $40,000 spent directly in the region, in addition to the indirect economic injection the production represents. Fifty extras and 10 crew were all sourced locally.
The cast includes Logie award-winning Gyton Grantley (Underbelly, House Husbands), Jason Wilder (Kidnapped 2021, Great White 2021, We Were Tomorrow 2021), Paula Nazarski (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, The Second), fellow North Queenslander Jordan Abbey-Young (Thor: Ragnarök, Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan), and the filmmakers themselves in Madeleine and Luke Chaplain, who have been told by family they are related to some of the alleged robbers, although unlike the robbery, nothing has been proven!
Luke and Madeleine are 2022 AATCA Pitch: Regional Landscapes finalists for the screenplay.
Unlike the Cloncurry Bank Robbers, Cloncurry Shire Council does not want its landscape and community to remain a mystery.
Cloncurry Shire Council Mayor Greg Campbell said to have The Bank Manager film in Cloncurry was a boon to the region, economically, but also culturally as it is a legend of the region.
“There are not many backdrops as dramatic as the rugged outback landscape of Cloncurry. The red ranges, spinifex and waterways have already played host to Channel 10’s Survivor in 2021, and now in a wonderful seredipity, we have The Bank Manager, written and produced by two brilliant Outback Queenslandf-born creatives, and starring some of Australia’s best known actors,” he said.
“Cloncurry has a truly unqiue landscape and is one of few places that can offer extraordinary terrain, open plains and waterways all in one location. It also offers a range of local businesses that are able to support film making in the region.
“We are the only small local government offering financial incentives to film in the shire, and as a council we are committed to this program as we can see the benefit it brings to our community.
“We welcome any film makers to consider Cloncurry as a film location and encourge them to make the most of council’s support.”
