Michael Forlong
Directing
Biography
Michael Forlong (1912–2000) was a New Zealand writer, producer and director. He worked for the New Zealand National Film Unit before moving to England. After managing to introduce drama and dance into his post WWII films for the National Film Unit, filmmaker Michael Forlong spent the remainder of his career directing features in Europe. In 1972 he returned to New Zealand to shoot children's tale Rangi's Catch, discovering actor Temuera Morrison in the process. Born in Whanganui on 20 March 1912, Forlong was brought up largely by his mother. Forlong was an announcer on Wellington radio station 2ZB when he was drafted to write the script for an ambitious Government film, marking New Zealand’s 1940 centennial. Originally running at roughly 53 minutes, One Hundred Crowded Years mixed Waitangi re-enactments with modern day doco footage. Ultimately the filmwould win its biggest audiences from school groups. Forlong also worked on at least three other films for the NZ Government, before serving in WWII. In 1944 Forlong joined recently created Government filmmaking body the National Film Unit, where he began writing and editing for NFU newsreel Weekly Review. Forlong would go on to direct (plus usually write and edit) an impressive tally of 25 plus films at the Unit. With few exceptions, filmmaking commissioned for the NZ Government had long been based mainly around newsreels and promotional films. Though Forlong worked on his fair share of Weekly Review newsreels, a number of his more noteworthy films incorporated dramatic elements.
Known For
A British Corporal in France finds himself responsible for the lives of his men when their officer is killed. He has to get them back to Britain somehow. Meanwhile, British civilians are being dragged into the war with Operation Dynamo, the scheme to get the French and British forces back from the Dunkirk beaches. Some come forward to help, others were less willing.
Dunkirk
Wealthy eccentric Sir Vincent Brampton and his fiancée Linda Latham hire Ken Duffield to lead them on a jungle hunt. Duffield is looking for the murderer of his son; he gets the killer and Linda.
Safari
The efforts of three children, who live in high rise flats, to save a donkey from two small-time crooks who want to sell it as horsemeat, by providing a temporary stable for the donkey in the block of high-rise flats.
High Rise Donkey
After suffering a near fatal accident in his last race over the hill, top British race car driver Greg Rafferty, is about to call it quits when he gets a telegram from racing car tire manufacture Joseph Bartell. He wants Greg to test out his latest invention, a heat resistant car tire, in actual racing competition.
The Green Helmet
A lion escapes from a circus but is rescued and protected by a young boy.
Lionheart
An adventure story for children in eight parts, filmed on location in New Zealand. In the third episode, the escaped criminals attempt to flee in a rowing-boat. The children chase them in a motor boat; however, their plans backfire when the villains come aboard.
Escape and Capture
Four children on a remote sheep station in New Zealand hear of the escape of two convicts, and realise that the crooks are responsible for burgling their house.
Rangi's Catch
A bookmaker struggles to cope with his two mothers-in-law.
Over the Odds
An adventure story for children set in New Zealand and told in eight sequential episodes. 1 of 8: Two mysterious men arrive in the remote area known as Marlborough Sound. They steal clothes, food and petrol from a farm.
The Mysterious Campers
An adventure story for children set in New Zealand and told in eight sequential episodes
Terror in the Caves
A gynecologist's wife leaves him, but returns when she finds out she's pregnant; but so is someone her husband's been very friendly with in her absence. Coincidence?
Stork Talk
A group of Norwegians cross the North Sea in winter to deliver Allied soldiers and ammunition to their Nazi-occupied country.
Suicide Mission
Children's Film Foundation comedy.
Raising the Roof
Aroha depicts a young Māori chief's daughter who embraces the modernity of the Pākehā world (attending university in Wellington) while confronting her place with her own people (Te Arawa) and traditions at home. The NFU-produced dramatisation is didactic but largely sensitive in making Aroha's story represent contemporary Māori dilemmas (noted anthropologist Ernest Beaglehole was the cultural advisor). Watch out for some musical treats, including an instrumental version of classic Kiwi song, 'Blue Smoke' and a performance of the action song 'Me He Manu Rere'.
Aroha: A Story of the Māori People
A youth on the run hijacks a yacht with three children aboard.
Hijack!
An adventure story for children in eight parts, filmed on location in New Zealand. In the fourth episode, the escaped criminals travel on a ferry to Wellington in order to retrieve money from a bank robbery, with the children in pursuit.
Caught at Sea
Social drama about a plantation owner who sees his world collapse around him. Planter Sjon Jan van Leent's familiar world is changing. His son is a disappointment, his daughter marries an educated black man, his wife dies and the plantation is not doing well. When he hears his son has made off with some money, he has a heart attack. From his sickbed he thinks about his life and finally he and his wayward children are reconciled.
Plantage Tamarinde
An adventure story for children set in New Zealand and told in eight sequential episodes
Jet Boat
Behind the scenes with the Children's Film Foundation, including the making of Lionheart.
Look at Life: Saturday Special
Heartbreak is tough, but the healing of a man's heart is a story rarely told.