MauriceShadbolt
- Writer
- Director
Although best known as a writer, Maurice Shadbolt also did time as a filmmaker. In his 20s he made a number of films at the National Film Unit, as part of a career that encompassed fiction, journalism, theatre and two volumes of autobiography. His classic Gallipoli play Once on Chunuk Bair was made into a feature film in 1992.
Screenography
Biography
Born in 1932, Maurice Shadbolt spend much of his childhood in the Waikato town of Te Kuiti, at a time when finding New Zealand writing in the school library was like discovering forbidden fruit. He later described Te Kuiti as "a town of trainwatchers", where local entertainment consisted of watching the Wellington express go past, going to the movies, then returning to watch the next train. His parents moved house multiple times.
Awards
1990 New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal
For Services to New Zealand
1989 CBE - Commander of the Order of the British Empire
For Services to Literature
“...between one day and the next I determined that I was competent to direct films. I dusted off forgotten projects, found cameramen willing to work, and did. No one seemed to object; or even notice.”