Here it is! The original 1966 documentary about the 6 boys who shipwrecked on the island of 'Ata. Took some time, but I managed to find a member of the crew who still had a copy.
From my book: 'A few days later, a team from Channel 7 arrived in the ancient DC-3 that flew a once-weekly service to Tonga. Describing the scene, Peter chuckles. ‘Out of that aircraft stepped three of those TV types in their city suits and pointy shoes.’ /2
'By the time the group arrived on ‘Ata with the six boys in tow, the gang from Channel 7 was green around the gills. Worse, they didn’t know how to swim. ‘Don’t worry,’ Peter assured them. ‘These boys will save you.’
The captain rowed the trembling men out to the breakers.' /3
The captain rowed the trembling men out to the breakers.' /3
‘This is where you get out.’
Even fifty years later, the memory brings tears to Peter’s eyes – this time from laughter. ‘So I tossed them out, and these Australian television people were sinking down, the Tongans diving down, picking them up, taking them through the surf...' /4
Even fifty years later, the memory brings tears to Peter’s eyes – this time from laughter. ‘So I tossed them out, and these Australian television people were sinking down, the Tongans diving down, picking them up, taking them through the surf...' /4
bashing them up against the rocks.’
Next, the group had to scale the cliff, which took the rest of the day. When they finally arrived at the top, the TV crew collapsed, exhausted. Not surprisingly, the documentary about ‘Ata was no success. /5
Next, the group had to scale the cliff, which took the rest of the day. When they finally arrived at the top, the TV crew collapsed, exhausted. Not surprisingly, the documentary about ‘Ata was no success. /5
Not only were the shots lousy, but most of the 16mm film went missing, leaving a grand total of only thirty minutes. ‘Actually,’ Peter amends, ‘twenty minutes, plus commercials.’ /end
