Will The Great Barrier Reef Cure Claude Clough?

Made by The Commonwealth Film Unit 1965. Directed by John Milson. This film takes the form of a psychiatric session, using the metaphor as a way to explore the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. When people on the street seem to be walking backwards or upsidedown, Claude Clough seeks therapy. His psychoanalyst advises him to take a holiday and get back to basics. From her couch, Claude's journey begins, with the psychiatrist filling the roles of flight attendant, beautiful local girl and mermaid. The result is a tourist film with a difference - with stunning footage of the reef - and a light-hearted parody of psychoanalysis with a decidedly 1960s feel. With underwater sequences shot by Ron Taylor and featuring his wife Valerie Taylor both of whom are legends of underwater film making in Australia and overseas.

• Category

  Film & Animation

[Seattlecarnut]

This is the weirdest video I've ever seen. I can't imagine anyone walking backwards or walking upside down while everyone else is walking normally.

[Film Australia]

Does it make you want to go on a holiday to sunny Queensland?

[Seattlecarnut]

Does it ever! If only I didn't live so far from Australia. I'd love to visit Australia and swim in the Great Barrier Reef. It's winter where I live, whilst it's summer there.

[Film Australia]

You might want to hold of for a while - most of the Great Barrier Reef is about to be swamped by the largest cyclone ever to hit Australia in only a few hours time.

[AussiePatriotsParty]

You touch the reef like that now and they will shoot you lol

[apneagary]

The ocean is my escape from the everyday routines we must do to live in a western world...!

[Seattlecarnut]

Crikey! Better batten down the hatches then! For they're in for a wild ride.