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Synopsis

Directed by Hugh Macdonald, This is New Zealand was made to promote the country at Expo '70 in Osaka, Japan. An ambitious concept saw iconic NZ imagery — panoramas, nature, Māori culture, sport, industry — projected on three adjacent screens that together comprised one giant widescreen. A rousing orchestral score (Sibelius's Karelia Suite) backed the images. Two million people saw it in Osaka, and over 350,000 New Zealanders saw on its homecoming theatrical release. It was remastered by Park Road Post in 2007. This excerpt is the first three minutes of the film.

Credits (12)

 Hugh Macdonald
 Ron Bowie
 David H Fowler

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Comments (25)

 Richard

Richard

I remember seeing the complete film in the Embassy Theatre in Auckland, and would love a copy.

 Jim Lamberton

Jim Lamberton

As one of the team of projectionists at the Embassy Theatre in Auckland I remember this well. 3 projectors and sound on a separate 35mm magnetic tape player all synchronized with selsen motors. Still gives me goose bumps today.As I recall there was a short film about Osaka Expo preceding "This Is New Zealand'. Sessions ran on the half hour from 10am to 9pm and I lost count of how many times we rewound the 4 reels of film and the separate soundtrack.

 Trevor Adams

Trevor Adams

Love to have it on dvd.Maybe,"This WAS New Zealand",now?

 Steven

Steven

I'd buy a copy of this in a flash. This is one of the most captivating 3 minute openings of any film I've ever seen.

Why not re-release it?
As they say, the past is a far country, yet of course surely not a too dangerous one?
Is there something about a pre-1970's New Zealand film that needs to be kept away from a modern New Zealand audience?

 Marie

Marie

Why is this just gathering dust in the archives? It is the most brilliant film I have ever seen in my life. I will never forget it on the three screens, so advanced for that period and nothing in my experience even now has equalled it. Please re-release it so this generation can see it - and we can see it again.

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Related Titles (16)

 This is Expo

Short Film, 1971 (Full Length)

A doco about the Osaka Expo, directed by Macdonald

 Dustie

Short Film, 1971 (Full Length)

Also produced by David Fowler

 The Frog, the Dog, and the Devil

Short Film, 1986 (Full Length)

An Oscar-nominated short produced by Macdonald

 Heartland, Wainuiomata

Television, 1994 (Excerpts)

Sibelius's Karelia Suite wryly intros the Wainui episode of this TV series

 Artists Prepare: Sam Hunt and Gary McCormick

Short Film, 1980 (Full Length)

Produced by Hugh Macdonald

 Artists Prepare: Chris Cree Brown

Short Film, 1980 (Full Length)

Produced by Hugh Macdonald

 The Party's Over

Television, 1992 (Full Length)

Doco about Expo '92

 C'mon to New Zealand

Short Film, 1969 (Full Length)

A 1969 NFU film promoting NZ to Australians

 New Zealand Is Yours - Nightlife

Television, 1974 (Full Length)

1972 ad promoting New Zealand for New Zealanders

 Frosty Man and the BMX Kid

Short Film, 2010 (Full Length)

A later NZ tourism promo

 These New Zealanders - Benmore

Television, 1964 (Full Length)

Benmore Dam also features in this film

 The Hollow Men

Television, 2008 (Full Length)

TVNZ transmission opening IDs

 Loose Enz - Graham's Mum and the Goulden Tour

Television, 1982 (Full Length)

Comedy about tourism

 Four Seasons In One Day

Music Video, 1992

More marching girls

 Beautiful New Zealand

Short Film, 1949 (Full Length)

Another NFU survey of splendid NZ

 This Auckland

Short Film, 1967 (Full Length)

Also written and directed by Hugh MacDonald

Collections.   See all collections ›  

Included in:

 National Film Unit Collection

Awards

Festivals include
1970 Clermont-Ferrand Internatinoal Short Film Festival