Review of Midnight Oil: 1984

This is more than a documentary about the Oils. it captures the political and social climate of Australia at the time. The palpable sense of possible nuclear doom, the values and culture of young people and a band just before the world discovered them. This coincides with exactly when I was discovering the Oils and so I was instantly transported back to that era and time in my own life. The clever splicing of different recordings of the songs into seamless single live renditions is masterful. Michael Lippold as chief stage roadie and stirrer 'steals the show' with his insights on the rig and band. This is a clever film and a snapshot of Australia at the time. The finish is inspired as it alludes to what followed and invited the viewer into a celebration of what's happened since.