Summer of the Seventeenth Doll

Set in Melbourne, Australia, during the summer of 1955, the film tells the story of Olive, a woman who eagerly awaits the return of her seasonal boyfriend, Roo. Roo is a sugarcane cutter who spends nine months of the year working in Queensland and the other three months with Olive, always bringing her a "seventeenth doll" to signify their reunion. This year, however, Roo brings a new friend, Barney, and it becomes clear that his time with Olive is not as idyllic as she believed.

Summer of the Seventeenth Doll received mixed reviews upon its release. While some critics praised its dramatic intensity and the performances of its lead actors, others found the adaptation of Ray Lawler's play to be somewhat stilted and less impactful than its stage counterpart. The film struggled to find a wide audience and is often overlooked in discussions of Australian cinema.

• Praised for its dramatic themes and acting.
• Criticized for being a less compelling adaptation of the stage play.
• Felt slow-paced by some reviewers.

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The film was a significant attempt to bring a major Australian play to international screen, featuring a blend of Australian and American actors.