A film that got me thinking - Judy and Punch
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382853)
Rockingham, Australia
January 13, 2020 7:46am CST
The photo is the only one that remotely resembles a Punch and Judy show. It was taken in the middle of Vienna, Austria.
Another film we saw at the International Film Festival was Judy and Punch, an Australian black comedy/drama. Judy and Punch are puppeteers in an anarchic village in England, back somewhere in the 1700s I’d guess. The townsfolk are lawless and easily led, given to accusing women of witchcraft for having an unexplained rash on their arms or for having an outstanding crop of carrots.
There is a lot more to the story than this of course but incidents like the witch-hunting made me think about how dangerous an individual can be and how easily a strong-minded person can lead others wherever he/she wants. Parts were funny but I found other sections of the film quite disturbing.
On another note, one of the actors, Terry Norris, starred in Bellbird, an Australian soap which ran from 1967 to 1977. Norris was born in 1930, making him 89 when he appeared in Judy and Punch. I was pretty impressed with that.
Edited: Punch and Judy were puppets but here the puppeteers themselves were called Punch and Judy.
17 people like this
17 responses
@louievill (28846)
• Philippines
13 Jan 20
I did not know they were real people, thought they were puppets and also a puppet show with different characters and at times scenes could be violent. The Casscades sang a song on how a man was being treated like a Punch and Judy show.
The Cascades | Punch and Judy ****DISCLAIMER: All photos, stills, clips and music are copyrighted to their respective owners. No infringement intended.
2 people like this
@brokenbee (11937)
• Philippines
13 Jan 20
And this song was playing in my mind when I read the title...
2 people like this
@louievill (28846)
• Philippines
13 Jan 20
@brokenbee I love the Cascades, there is not one of their songs that I did not like, my late aunt always use to play their album on here turn table over and over.
2 people like this
@brokenbee (11937)
• Philippines
13 Jan 20
@louievill yes.. I also love their songs.. I grew up listening to their songs because of my big bro.. hihi he loves old songs and I learned to love them too...
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
15 Jan 20
a most interestin' 'n disturbin' film fer certain. sadly many've been led down awful paths due to such. e'en today there's the manipulators 'n the manipulated. awful thingies humans 've continued to do to each other o'er the centuries.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
16 Jan 20
@JudyEv heck, here'n the u.s. there's folks who make a livin' doin' the same - to folks who're educated, but someone seem to jest follow blindly? 'tis most frightenin' the power those folks seem to've o'er others with their b.s.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382853)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Jan 20
@crazyhorseladycx This is exactly what worried me with the film - how easily people just went along with whatever.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
13 Jan 20
What a fun movie,. i love punch and judy shows
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382853)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jan 20
@DocAndersen True. It's good to get out of your comfort zone occasionally.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
14 Jan 20
@JudyEv sometimes that makes for the best movie
1 person likes this
@Butterfingers (66603)
• India
13 Jan 20
Good you Njoyed the movie barring few parts dear
2 people like this
@Letranknight2015 (52665)
• Philippines
14 Jan 20
I'm glad things are more different and people aren't so quick to judge that much. Internet had been more informative with important things compare before.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382853)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jan 20
Hopefully some have a bit more knowledge now and are more likely to question things that don't sound quite right.
@Tampa_girl7 (54748)
• United States
13 Jan 20
I'm not familiar with this movie.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382853)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jan 20
It only had its debut in 2019 so I guess it's not really 'out there' yet.
@brokenbee (11937)
• Philippines
13 Jan 20
Reminds me of a song from the Cascades..
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
13 Jan 20
Well glad you enjoyed it overall and I too found that certain things or violences in movies, etc. bother me way more than they ever did. Another side affect of getting older--- Not that I am of course. haha!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382853)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jan 20
It bothered me that the people didn't seem to have an original thought between them but believed whatever they were told. I thought there were strong parallels with communities that believe their witch-doctors, and countries that believe their leaders, without bothering to think about whether whatever they're boing told might be true or not. It was scary in that regard.
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
19 Jan 20
@JudyEv Yes I get you on that- it is disturbing.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (209335)
• United States
13 Jan 20
I know the name Punch and Judy, but not sure that I ever saw any of the show. I know they were puppets.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
13 Jan 20
I would want to see this movie. The stars are Mia Wasikowska ("Alice in Wonderland") and Damon Herriman who works in the US also.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382853)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jan 20
The leads were really good. Damon won a AACTA award (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards) for best actor and the film won best music original score. I'm sure you'd enjoy it. I did too but it was brought home to me how easily communities can be influenced by strong personalities.
1 person likes this
@happylife1 (13403)
• Karachi, Pakistan
13 Jan 20
Nice movie.... Let me watch it too
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382853)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jan 20
It only came out in 2019 but perhaps you'll get to see it.
