Hell, That Cloud Seems to be Moving in Pretty Fast

The National Film Unit vs. Hypothermia

Moody electronic soundtrack, genre blurring, jump cuts and abrupt edits - the experimental classic of 1971 is a warning on the dangers of hypothermia. The year of A Clockwork Orange and The Last Picture Show, was also the year of the National Film Unit’s What a Stupid Way to Die.

The film follows a typical tramping party for the time – all stubbies and cigarettes – as they head through some striking Nelson Lakes scenery. They attempt a short cut down a dramatic scree slope, only to find: ‘oh no, it’s the wrong bloody way.’

It’s not giving too much away to say that one of the party dies. Skipping breakfast, drinking brandy and staggering around in the rain were all bad choices. To make this clear, the action is bookended with blackboard lectures given by a white-coated Ray Henwood, as well as a lengthy scene at the coroners court.

Some of the acting is poor. Possibly the dialogue is improvised. Another experimental touch maybe, it would explain why almost all lines start with ‘Aww’. See for example, this overlapping exchange about their destination.

Mary: Aww… a day trip. Aww…it’s quite nice up there.
Roger: Aww… it’s quite an interesting ridge up there.

Yet that scenery is artfully shot, and despite the film’s age the message remains relevant: hypothermia is a serious risk, and the bush can still be a place of daggy clothes, cups of tea and sinister beauty.

Comments

Hi John. If it's of interest to readers, this film has been viewable online since a couple of years ago, thanks to NZOnScreen. <a href="http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/such-a-stupid-way-to-die-1971">Check it out and enjoy</a>. :)

Hi Mike, Thanks for that. We have a link to the video in our 'notes' section on the side bar. But maybe it's a bit too easy to miss while reading the article? Might have to think about the design there. Cheers.