“Gripping, edge of the seat stuff.”
‘An absolute triumph. I found the film incredibly powerful.”
“Heart stopping. Funny. A ripping yarn!”
“The best documentary I have ever seen!” Dick Smith
” Wonderful! Just Wonderful!” Jack Thompson
VIEW TRAILER
Scroll down 2025 SCREENINGS AND TICKET LINKS…..
Deep in the wild Southern Ocean, halfway between Australia and South Africa, a snowy volcano, nine thousand feet high, rears up from the sea like a great white whale.
Five times it tried to kill the first team that attempted to climb it. Yet in 1964, back they sailed, through the worst seas in the world, to try again, this time with legendary explorer, Bill Tilman as their skipper.
Its one of the least known yet most audacious Australian adventures of the 20th century.
Join us on those first attempts to climb Big Ben, the smoking glacier ringed volcano on Heard Island, Australia’s loneliest, most remote outpost. It’s a tale told with quirky humour by those who were there, backed up with their beautifully shot archival footage. Paul Jarman’s brilliant musical score pays tribute to the utter boldness of the quest, bringing to life this little known moment in Australian history.
GRAND PRIZE & BEST DIRECTOR, Mendi International Mountain Film Festival, Balboa 2023, BEST EXPEDITION FILM & ITALIAN ALPINE CLUB AWARD Trento International Mountain Film Festival. 2024. BEST FILM Sestriere Film Festival 2024. AUDIENCE AWARD Cervino Film Festival 2024. BEST FILM Ulan Unji Film festival, Korea 2024, GRAND PRIZE, Bansko Mountain Film Fest, Bulgaria 2024.
Directed and Produced by Michael Dillon.
Editor: Mike Balson. Sound: Michael Worthington. Music: Paul Jarman.
- Cinema Nova, MELBOURNE, Saturday 15th Feb, 2.50pm, with Q&A
- Luna SX, FREMANTLE, Thursday 27th Feb, 6.45pm
- Blacklot Cinema PERTH, Sunday March 2nd, 2.00pm
- Pivotian Cinema, GEELONG, Sunday 9th March 3.45pm, with Q&A
- Glenbrook Cinema GLENBROOK NSW, Sunday 16th March 7.30pm, with Q&A
- Hayden Orpheum Cinema, CREMORNE, Tuesday 18th March, 6.30pm, with Q&A
- Avoca Beach Cinema, AVOCA NSW, Thursday 20th March 7.00pm, with Q&A
- Palace Electric Cinema, CANBERRA, Monday 24th March, 6.30pm with Q&A
- Forum 6 Cinema, WAGGA, Tuesday March 25th, 7.00pm with Q&A
- The Piccadilly, NORTH ADELAIDE, Monday 7th April, 7.00pm with Q&A
- DVD’s are now available. Email mcdillonfilms@gmail.com.
- Would YOUR LOCAL CINEMA or COMMUNITY GROUP like to HOST A SCREENING? Email mcdillonfilms@gmail.com
Interviews, Reviews and Articles
- Sydney Morning Herald, 14 Oct 2024
- ABC Sydney Drive Michael Dillon chats with Richard Glover, 7th Oct 2024 (link expired)
- ABC Great Southern, 17th Aug 2024
- The West Australian, 10th August 2024
- The Fremantle Herald, 3rd August 2024
- The Australian 60th Anniversary Article, 22nd July 2024
- Extension of the Marine Park, ABC News July 2024
- ABC Article: Australia’s Mysterious Land of Fire and Ice
- Review: Documentary Drive Review
- We are Moving Stories Interviews Michael Dillon
- Review: David Parer, ANARE Club
The Great White Whale – The Back Story
- Big Ben – The Great White Whale
- The Expeditioners
- Their Sturdy Ship – Patanela
- Their Great White Whale – Big Ben on Heard Island
- The Filmmakers
Archival Interviews, Reviews, Articles
- Dr Grahame Budd on Heard Island in 2012. Video
- Australian Geographic: Australia’s first ascent of Big Ben
- Australian Geographic Article by Dr Grahame Budd
- Aurora Journal Autumn 1964: The Souther Indian Ocean Expedition to Heard Island
- Dr Graham Budd’s ANARE report on the 1963 Expedition.
- Aurora Journal Autumn 2011: Heard Island – The Climbing of Big Ben (Tim Bowden)
- Exploration of Heard Island 1947 – 1972 by Dr Grahame Budd
- Bill Tilman’s account -preparing for the voyage.
- The Bishop Museum – Insects on Heard. Philip Temple
- Yachting World 2023: The Sea and The Snow, A Stunning Tale of Adventure
- Article Otago Daily Times 2024
- Alpine Journal Article by Warwick Deacock
Exhibitor Enquiries