Crew filming Michael Pate as Shane in the storm scene

Sons of Matthew (1949), directed by Charles Chauvel

Sons of Matthew tells the story of determined pioneer family the O'Riordans, and its endeavour to tame the wild frontiers and dense rainforest of Queensland's Lamington Plateau. The film's depiction of pioneering hardship parallels the making of the film, which was an epic of frustration, delay, rising costs and a fight against the unforgiving elements. This image captures both the reality and fiction of the Sons of Matthew cast and crew battling the elements. They are pictured here filming in a windstorm manufactured using aeroplane propellers connected to electrical generators.