First Wave Morning of the Earth + Filmmaker Introduction

11 August 2024

In the Playhouse

Cinema

Australia | 1972 | English | Documentary

Beautifully remastered in 4K, Albert Falzon and David Elfick’s 1972 classic Morning of the Earth is renowned as one of the greatest surf films of all time.

This special session will feature an in-person introduction from producer David Elfick.

The most influential of all Australian surf movies.

Senses of Cinema

An era-defining surf film, beautifully remastered in 4K

Morning of the Earth’s psychedelic imagery and audio-visual tour de force captured the spirit of a generation and became an instant benchmark of avant-garde cinema. A fantasy of surfers living in three unspoiled lands and playing in nature’s oceans, Morning of the Earth tells the story of a group of friends exploring the measures of all things beautiful: searching for virgin waves in Bali, Hawaii and Australia, shaping their own surfboards, building their own homes and living off the land in harmony with nature. With G. Wayne Thomas’ legendary soundtrack and surfing featuring some of the world’s best, Morning of the Earth is a prerequisite for surfers and cinephiles alike.

Presented by Sydney Opera House and Tracks

Trailer

Watch the trailer

Cast and credits

Credits

Albert Falzon
Director

David Elfick
Producer

Featuring

Nat Young

Terry Fitzgerald

Michael Peterson

Gerry Lopez

Other information

You may also like

10 Things I Hate About You

5 Sep 2025

United States | 1999 | English | Romantic Comedy | PG A love letter to Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, this late 90s classic comedy pitches the bad-boy swagger of Heath Ledger against the smart-ass glare of Julia Stiles in a twisted rom-com for any generation. “I hate the way I don’t hate you… not even close, not even a little bit…”

  • Cinema

Kiki’s Delivery Service

7 Sep 2025

Japanese | 1989 | English (Dubbed) | Family/Fantasy | G Young witch Kiki, with her talking cat Jiji by her side, opens a flying courier service; and is soon confronted by her own doubt and fears on the path to independence and friendship. It is tradition for all young witches to leave their families on the night of a full moon to learn their craft. That night comes for Kiki (Kirsten Dunst), who follows her dream and embarks on the experience of a lifetime.

  • Cinema
  • Kids & Families

Pavements

7 Sep 2025

United States | 2024 | English | Music Documentary An examination of the iconic indie band, Pavements is a prismatic, narrative, documentary, musical, metatextual hybrid, showing the band preparing for their reunion tour while simultaneously preparing for a musical based on their songs, a museum of their history and a big-budget Hollywood biopic, starring Joe Keery and Jason Schwartzman.

  • Cinema
  • Contemporary Music

Checking availability