In Australia's Lost Gold, director Luke Walker found himself more interested than he expected when he ventured out to Australia chasing the same tale Bob Lasseter had been chasing to save his father's name. We start with Bob and join him on his search of the gold that his father, Harold Lasseter spent years trying to convince people existed. Then the film takes us back into time encompassing many forms of media using animation, interview footage, maps, and personal interviews from local Aborigines. So when they travel, you travel too! I eventually found myself getting anxious and waiting for Bob and Walker to pick their next location to look! The best part of it was seeing how personally Walker took on the search with Bob. They shared hope, frustration, and above anything else an undoubtedly remarkable chapter in an ongoing legend.
14 Reviews
Australian Gold
thirtyfiveshots1 August 2016
Unfortunately, I truly had to search far and wide to find a way to view this film, being that there was no release in the U.S. (at the time that I became aware of its existence), couldn't purchase it outside of the Australian iTunes system, and I was unable to find a website hosting it. That being said, I was not disappointed when I finally got my hands on a copy. This film is about the characters and their personal journeys and development throughout there search for Lasseter's gold. Not only are we given insight into the life of Lasseter and his son, but the filmmaker's obsession with the legend as well. This is character development at its finest. I will be doing a further reading on this story. (Somewhat reminded me of the story of the Lost Dutchman mine in the southwest U.S.)
Definitely a must watch
charlesfunderburktorchlight8 June 2016
In the central Australian desert, one man's legacy lives on like the sand on the hills and the bones of creatures long gone. That man is Harold Lasseter. Harold discovered ("supposedly") a reef of gold in central Australia worth billions. No one believed him, and he died before the gold could be found. His son, Bob, never knew his father; he left when he was 6 years old, never to be seen again. Even so, Harold left a mark on his son that would shape his entire life. Bob has spent years trying to find that elusive gold in order to clear his father's name. Director Luke Walker joins him in that quest in Australia's Lost Gold. The story has surprises at every turn; I found myself enthralled in the mystery of that long, lost gold. Highly recommend for anyone that loves adventure.
Excellent work. Superb research. Great story.
marcynadir5 January 2015
I was amazed and deeply moved by this documentary by Luke Walker, a dedicated Australian film maker, who's style reminded me of my fellow German and favorite documentarian of all time, Werner Herzog. Carefully crafted and expertly narrated, this film shows the perplexity and intestinal fortitude of Bob Lasseter, who simply will not give up looking for the plethora of gold his father claimed to have found in the Australian outback nearly a hundred years ago. Walker takes us on a complex, unique and engrossing treasure hunt. Alone the first sentence of the official synopsis: "In 1931 Harold Lasseter's body was found in Central Australia's deserts. His diary revealed that he'd found gold, worth millions...but that he'd give it all for a loaf of bread..." got me hooked. It's an outstanding and highly intriguing story. Well worth seeing!
An awesome documentary on a classic Aussie tale
wolffram18 January 2015
I grew up with the story of Lasseter's Reef, my dad being an avid collector and re-teller of bush tales. The funny thing is I had always accepted as fact that there really was a reef out there somewhere. I used to dream of finding it one day. It wasn't until I chanced upon this doco that I stopped to think that there might be another side to it. I thought the film flowed really well, and I enjoyed the way the story unfolded as the different characters were introduced. What a ripper bloke young Bob is! It was well researched, and very well structured and presented. I especially enjoyed the archival footage. Great job by the film maker Luke, who is a photogenic and enjoyable cast member. (For what it's worth I'm still a believer).
Luke Walker hits gold with a thoughtful and dedicated documentary
whitealex-6112917 June 2016
It is extremely obvious within the first five minutes of Australia's Lost Gold that Director Luke Walker believes the story of "Lasseter's Bones" with every inch of his being. What I enjoyed the most in this film was the fierce dedication to not just telling a story, but defending a family name. Walker is joined for a large portion of the film by Lasseter's 85 year old son, and having that really gave the film an authenticity and character that some documentaries miss out on. Technically speaking, it's an ambitious project to take a small film crew into the Australian Outback, as evidence by how many tires Walker goes through trying brave the harsh and unforgiving territory like his predecessor, Harold Lasseter. Walker's thoughtfulness and eye for creative storytelling brings this documentary to another level that is rare in documentaries. Documentaries tend to get lost in the specifics and lack a soul but Walker's "lost gold" is all heart.
Loved it.
SophiaWhite2328 June 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Australia's Lost Gold has officially been added to my list of favorite independent films! I love independent films like this that intertwine culture and history with a great story line. It's exciting to be able to explore and learn about different cultures through film. Audiences have the opportunity to visit places around the world that they may never have the opportunity to visit. Australia's Lost Gold explores the famous Australian legend of undiscovered gold in the Central Australian Desert. I don't know many people who get the opportunity to visit Australian deserts in their lifetime but as I was watching the film, I felt like I was there. Throughout the documentary, director Luke Walker does an outstanding job of immersing his audience into the Australian culture. From personal interviews with townspeople to the interactions with Aborigine's from the desert, you really feel like you get an understanding of the people that live there. Thanks to Luke's superb directing, the film is packed with great shots of the country's landscape that allows the audience to see what "down under" really means. In addition to the beautiful culture portrayed in the film, the story-line is just as intriguing. It's an exciting plot that takes you on the quest for not just undiscovered gold, but the truth. I definitely recommend watching it if you're looking for a great new movie to add to your list.
A quest we can all relate to
shanewilliams-862047 June 2016
Watching Australia's Lost Gold is an inspiring and joyful experience. Director Luke Walker expertly paces Bob Lasseter's journey to find the mother lode of gold in a way that sets him apart from other documentarians. As Bob Lasseter searches endlessly for bits and pieces of his father's legacy, the attention draws closer and closer on this mystery and the history of his family. All of this is accompanied by breathtaking cinematography of Australian desert landscapes. Furthermore, the editing creates such a dramatic slow burn effect that audiences can find themselves reviewing the statements, rumors, and pieces of the tale just as much as Bob Lasseter himself. As the trek for Lasseter's Reef goes on, the will to find out the truth gets stronger in not just Bob Lasseter, but the director and audience; which is the biggest compliment I can give this film. In a world filled with big budget action films out every other week, it is refreshing to come across a softhearted story of human nature and wonder.
A treasure hunt for gold and redemption
ajch-353058 June 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Well, what can I say about Australia's Lost Gold? It is a spectacular real life treasure hunt set in the vast Australian outback. From the start, I was quite interested in the possibility of a massive reef of gold hidden from civilization. The director of the film, Luke Walker, sets out searching for clues to help Bob, the son of the famous Harold Lasseter, in his quest to find his father's gold. Constantly throughout the film, their quest is slandered by people who said that Harold was a liar. The film takes many twists and turns, and just when all hope seems lost, a new clue is uncovered. In the outback they meet a tribe of Aborigines that guide them as well as tell them of their accounts with Harold Lasseter many years ago. The director does an incredible job in preserving the Aboriginal culture, and taking care not to disturb what they hold dear. The wonderful vistas of the Australian landscape transports the viewer into Luke and Bob's world, rooting for them to find the gold.
Like Peeling An Onion
SwollenThumb22 March 2018
Like peeling an onion, this documentary attempts to unravel a mystery that has baffled Australia for over 80 years - where is Lassiter's reef, a mysterious gold-find believed to be in the centre of Australia. The director Luke Walker has been exhaustive in his search to uncover all he can. Luckily, the son of the reef's discoverer is still alive and he is a fascinating character in himself, as was his father and the other people that populate this film. A film that will fascinate anyone interested in solving mysteries. The landscapes are gorgeous. The part finally played by the indigenous people is powerful. Walker is a wonderful guide - and easy on the eye too! Extra features on DVD release well worth watching too.
Alternate title: Australia's Lost Gold
Dire
breakingbad10127 December 2014
I signed up to IMDb in order to review this documentary and hopefully save someone else from wasting their time. How almost nine hundred people can give this an average of over nine out of ten makes me question if the maker of the film has a very large extended family because as documentary's go this is incredibly dull. I wont spoil it but after the first ten minutes I spent the next hour and a half saying to myself this cant be all there is to this story, it was. The only people who seemed to be mesmerized was the crazed old man and the filmmaker, sunk cost bias, by the end I actually felt sorry he wasted two years of his life on this. Want some suspense from a doc try "The Staircase" and avoid this.
A Great Mystery Tale!
jcrowe-334428 June 2016
Warning: Spoilers
If you're like me and you can't resist a good mystery, this is the film for you. Australia's Lost Gold not only tells the tale of a famous legend originated in the blazing desert country, but does so in such a way that any viewer, docu-fan or not, is fully entertained. Besides the obvious drive director Luke Walker has for his subject, the surrounding characters he meets throughout the film are spunky, entertaining, and do nothing but push him onward towards the treasure he seeks. Not to mention his vital partner Bob Lasseter, 85-year-old son of the famous Harold Lasseter, who has spent over 30 years searching for his father's missing gold just to clear his family's name. The two spend much of the film trekking through the Australian wild, popping their tires from rolling over deadly sharp terrain and meeting Aboriginal people along the way. Looking for the obscure "three hills that resemble women in sun-bonnets talking" and a mountain that looks like "a man in a Quaker's hat," Walker and Lasseter reference Harold's personal diary, archives about the story, and accounts from people met during his original conquests to search for the 7 foot reef of pure gold that numerous bravehearts have tried to find since the early 1900's.
Review for Australia's Lost Gold
reneelemire9 June 2016
Documentaries never really caught my eye because I always found them boring. However, after seeing the many nominations and critic circles recognizing Australia's Lost Gold, I decided to give it a try. Boy, what I treat I was in for! Director Luke Walker, puts together a documentary that combines mystery, adventure, and excitement in the search of the legendary hidden golden reef in the abyss of the Central Australian Desert. I loved all the twists, turns, and obstacles they had to face that left me on the edge of my seat! At some points, I did not realize that I was watching a documentary because Walker redefines what a "documentary" actually means.
An Adventure a Century in the Making
henrykimball6 June 2016
With gripping film-work by Director Luke Walker and Bob Lasseter's unwavering charisma, you can't help but fall in love with the Legend of Lasseter's Bones. As the two traverse the deadly landscapes of the Australian desert you find yourself not only rooting for the duo, but feeling as if you're travelling beside them. The journey to find the reef transforms into an adventure that has you creating a mental whiteboard full of connected dots and loose ends. You feel the frustration that the cast does when a trail runs dry, and the overwhelming joy when you find yourself a step closer to the fortune. Australia's Lost Gold is a treasure hunt on the surface, a personal journey at heart, and most of all, a film definitely worth the watch.
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