We acknowledge Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live and give respect to their Elders, past and present.

Read our Statement of Reflection

Your Cart

Your cart is empty right now...

Discover what's on
Your Stuff
Lists
No lists found
Create list
List name
0 Saved items
Updated: a few seconds ago
Getting Started
Get started with Your Stuff

A free Your Stuff account allows you to save, list and share your favourite collection items and articles. This account will give you access to Your Stuff, NFSA Player and Pro. You will need to create an additional account for Canberra event tickets.

Confirm
Skip to main content
National Film and Sound Archive of AustraliaNational Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive

The McDonagh Sisters: 'Best Friends'

2003

The McDonagh Sisters: 'Best Friends'

2003

  • NFSA IDAWK7RSVF
  • TypeFilm
  • MediumMoving Image
  • FormDocumentary
  • Duration26 mins
  • Year2003

In this clip from Rebecca Barry's documentary The McDonagh Sisters (2003), narrator Rachel Ward reveals what became of the sisters after their filmmaking venture came to an end.

With no known film footage, and only a handful of photographs of all three sisters together, this sequence relies heavily on still images and newspaper clippings as the narrator summarises the details of each of the women's subsequent careers and personal lives.

It's remarkable how the simple and judicious use of archival images can be so engaging.

A final re-enactment shows the sisters celebrating. The scene is largely superfluous except for leaving us in a happy mood by depicting their friendship.

It also strongly reinforces what historians and fans have come to believe about the McDonagh sisters: they were bold and unconventional women who remained the best of friends, even after their production company had folded.

Courtesy of
Australian Film Television and Radio School

In this clip from Rebecca Barry's documentary The McDonagh Sisters (2003), narrator Rachel Ward reveals what became of the sisters after their filmmaking venture came to an end.

With no known film footage, and only a handful of photographs of all three sisters together, this sequence relies heavily on still images and newspaper clippings as the narrator summarises the details of each of the women's subsequent careers and personal lives.

It's remarkable how the simple and judicious use of archival images can be so engaging.

A final re-enactment shows the sisters celebrating. The scene is largely superfluous except for leaving us in a happy mood by depicting their friendship.

It also strongly reinforces what historians and fans have come to believe about the McDonagh sisters: they were bold and unconventional women who remained the best of friends, even after their production company had folded.

Courtesy of
Australian Film Television and Radio School
  • Director
    Rebecca Barry
    Producer
    Kathy Sport
    Production Company
    Australian Film, Television and Radio School
    Narrator
    Rachel Ward
Industry professional? Go Pro

Need to license this item? A/V professionals and researchers can shortlist licensing enquiries via our NFSA Pro catalogue search and membership.

Get started with PRO

Collections to explore

More in Stories+

Personalized your experience

Save, create and share

With NFSA Your Stuff