© ATOM 2013 A STUDY GUIDE BY MARGUERITE O’HARA http://www.metromagazine.com.au ISBN: 978-1-74295-396-0 http://www.theeducationshop.com.au Overview This is the story of one of the most well known but perhaps least understood moments of conflict and controversy in the history of sport: the infamous Bodyline test cricket series of 1932 and 1933 between Australia and England. Self confessed cricket tragic and comedian Adam Zwar will try to discover what happened at the crease and chart the wider social and cultural implications of the controversy by enlisting historians, sports scientists, and cricket stars to simulate the actual events. I always wondered what Bodyline was network, starring Elijah Wood. 2010 Adam was head writer on the really like. As a school boy batsman AFI Awards screened on the Nine who once dreamed of wearing the Adam is also creator of the popular Network. baggy green, could I face what those Agony series – Agony Uncles, Agony guys faced? Could I stand where the Aunts and The Agony of Life, which He is currently producing various titles Don stood? – Adam Zwar recently screened on the ABC. He has for High Wire Films, alongside busi- won two AACTA Awards, for Lowdown ness partners Amanda Brotchie and and Agony Aunts, two AFI Awards for Nicole Minchin. SYNOPSIS Wilfred - Best Actor in a Comedy and Best Screenplay on Television, and Adam Zwar is going back to live out two Australian Writers’ Guild Awards CURRICULUM a childhood fantasy or two. He is go- for Best Comedy, Lowdown I and GUIDELINES ing to use machines, fancy cameras, Lowdown II. and the latest in computer graphics Bodyline: The Ultimate Test is an to experience Bodyline bowling for Adam’s acting credits include Howzat, engaging and informative investiga- himself. Modern day players will help Rake, Rush, the Wedding Party, tion into a pivotal moment in our him prepare. Adam will witness the Tangle, SeaChange, MDA, Blue nation’s sporting history, using the real damage a high speed cricket ball Heelers, Stingers, The Wedge and newest advances in sports science can do. Underbelly. and analysis by Australia’s leading experts. Adam Zwar explores the his- In the end, Adam will be on his own, His writing credits include Wilfred I tory and the science of Bodyline, with with no helmet, no modern padding, and II, Lowdown I and II, Agony Aunts the help of a range of experts. He also and just a bat for protection. How will and Uncles, The Agony of Life, Rats puts himself right in the story by being he handle this ultimate test? and Cats, both seasons of The Wedge a participant and finding out first-hand on Channel 10, and from 2006 to Is there more to the legend of Bodyline than we think? WHO IS ADAM ZWAR? Adam Zwar is a writer, actor, comedian 2013 © ATOM SCREEN EDUCATION and cricket tragic. He is best known for co-creating the award-winning Australian comedy series Lowdown and Wilfred. Lowdown recently played to critical acclaim on the BBC, while the US version of Wilfred is about to begin its fourth season on the FX 2 just what it is like to face a fast bowler with very little protective gear such as helmet and body padding as a cricket ball is bowled at him at up to 150 kilometres an hour. The documentary would be suit- able for secondary students across a number of curriculum areas, includ- ing Health and Physical Education, Australian Studies, Studies of Society, Exercise and Sports Science, Cultural Studies and Media Studies. The docu- mentary is an excellent example of Left: Writer, Producer - C Wheaton Right: Director - Bruce Permezel bringing history alive through engaging with significant moments in Australia’s sporting history. Junior secondary as past. It is interpretative by nature, Australians have demonstrated excel- well as older students would find the promotes debate and encourages lence in many sports at an interna- style in which this story is told inform- thinking about human values, includ- tional level, especially in relation to ative, accessible and enjoyable. ing present and future challenges. The our relatively small population and process of historical inquiry develops geographic isolation. In the twenty- The National Curriculum rationale transferable skills, such as the ability to first century, pre-eminence in many for the study of History includes the ask relevant questions; critically ana- sports is no longer taken for granted following: lyse and interpret sources; consider or guaranteed. Many nations see their context; respect and explain different identity and pride measured in their The study of history is based on perspectives; develop and substanti- sporting success. evidence derived from remains of the ate interpretations, and communicate effectively. Even for those who are not self- confessed ‘cricket tragics’ like Adam The ‘draft shaping document’ on Zwar, the interweaving of the history THE FILMMAKERS KEY CAST AND CREW Health and Physical Education for the and science of the infamous 1932- National Curriculum was published in 33 Bodyline series offers fascinating Bodyline: The Ultimate Test is an ABC March, 20121. The Introduction to this insights into the game of cricket, into television production in association document states that: sporting traditions, national rivalry with Serendipity West. and continuity and change. Today, Health & Physical Education addresses when Australia is struggling to find Presenter Adam Zwar how factors such as gender, sexual- cricketing form on the world stage, Director & Bruce Permezel ity, culture, ethnicity, socio-economic this film provides a new look at an era Camera status, environments and geographical in the 1930s when Don Bradman was locations influence the health, well- a national hero and English cricket- Editor Alex Archer being and physical activity patterns ers Douglas Jardine and fast bowler of individuals, groups and communi- Harold Larwood were cast as the vil- Writer Charlotte Wheaton ties. In turn, it provides opportunities lains of the piece. for students to develop the skills, self Producers Charlotte Wheaton & Kate Pappas efficacy and dispositions to advocate National rivalry between England and for their own and others well-being, Australia is part of many sporting Executive Alex West & Margie thereby making a positive contribution challenges between the two countries, Producers Bryant to the future for all. but none is fiercer than the fight for the Ashes. This documentary pro- Associate Lavinia Riachi This documentary raises many ques- vides background and context to this Producer & Archive tions about how our perceptions continuing rivalry and raises questions Researcher of being a pre-eminent cricketing about the possible limits to ‘winning country have developed, and per- at all costs’. Does anything go and 2013 © ATOM SCREEN EDUCATION Additional Dale Cochrane, haps most importantly, explores that should there be limits placed on how Camera Gordon Fuad idea within an historical and cultural sporting competitions are conducted? & Brett Ramsey context, demonstrating that sporting When is it ‘just not cricket’? Sound Patrick Slater, Chris prowess is dependent on numerous West, Paul Castellaro, social and cultural factors, on chang- Ben Cunningham ing times and attitudes, as well as on & Lynne Butler technology, economics and science. 3 BACKGROUND Cricket plays an important role in Australia’s national identity, in par- CRICKET IN AUSTRALIA ticular its relationship to the United Kingdom. Ashes Tests can be seen by Cricket remains one of the most popu- many Australians as an opportunity to lar sports in Australia, in terms of both avenge past perceived wrongs by the community interest and participation. former imperial power. After golf, it is the game most played by Australian men and one of the most In the days before television, radio watched television sports in its various broadcasts of Test match cricket were manifestations from Test cricket to delivered in a way that seems unim- One Day and 20/20 matches. In 2007, aginable today. Here is an account by The Age reported that a survey by Mel Davies of his father listening to Sweeney Sports had found that 59% these ‘simulated’ cricket broadcasts in of the Australian public have an inter- the 1930s and 1940s on ABC radio. est in cricket, second to none. Cricket is often known as Australia’s national We now know that these broadcasts sport due to its equal popularity in all were what came to be called the parts of the country. Cricket is also a ‘simulated Tests’, with the realistic mass participation sport in Australia: a sound of bat on ball, plus appropri- census conducted on behalf of Cricket ate crowd noises, coming not from Australia found that in the 2003-04 the hallowed home of cricket, Lords, THE ASHES season there were 471,329 partici- London, but from a broadcast studio pants in Australian cricket programs in Sydney, NSW, Australia. Telegrams The Ashes is the notional prize in Test and competitions, including 47,780 arrived from England thick and fast cricket series played between England female participants. with such messages as ‘Ball driven and Australia. The Ashes are regarded firmly between first and second slip – as being held by the team that won The position of Australian Test cricket four – brings up Bradman’s century’ the last Test series between those captain is regarded as one of the most Someone in the Sydney studio would sides, or if that series was drawn, by important roles in Australian sport. It is strike the end of a pencil on a wooden the team that last won such a series. often said that in Australia the office of board to simulate the sound of the Test captain is second in stature behind bat striking the ball and a recording of The term originated in a satirical obitu- the office of Prime Minister.