Tasmanian Tiger in Colour

For Australian audiences, this film is an evocative and often melancholic reminder of a lost part of our natural heritage. The thylacine holds a special, almost mythical place in the national consciousness. Seeing it in colour, captured on home soil, amplifies this connection, prompting reflection on conservation, past mistakes, and the enduring mystery of an animal that once roamed the continent. It's a powerful visual elegy for a unique species.

The colourisation transforms the viewing experience from a historical curiosity into an immediate, almost visceral encounter. Seeing the Tasmanian tiger in natural hues, rather than stark black and white, lends it a startling realism and presence. It bridges the gap between the past and the present, allowing viewers to connect more profoundly with this extinct creature and the environment it inhabited, evoking a stronger sense of loss and wonder.

The available information does not credit a specific director for 'Tasmanian Tiger in Colour'. The film's creation appears to be a collaborative effort focused on restoration and presentation. The original footage was captured by naturalist David Fleay, and the colourisation was handled by Samuel François-Steininger. The National Film and Sound Archive Australia facilitated the process through their scanning efforts, highlighting a curatorial and technical approach rather than traditional directorial authorship.

The National Film and Sound Archive Australia (NFSA) played a crucial role by providing a high-quality 4K scan of the original 35mm nitrate negative film. This meticulous digital restoration formed the foundation upon which the colourisation process could be effectively carried out. The NFSA's commitment to preserving Australia's cinematic and sound heritage is evident in their support for projects like this, which bring historical materials to life.

The remarkable colourisation of the historic 1933 footage was undertaken by Samuel François-Steininger. Working from Paris at Composite Films, he meticulously applied colour to the black-and-white images. This process, based on a 4K scan provided by the National Film and Sound Archive Australia, breathes new, vibrant life into the images, allowing audiences to see the Tasmanian tiger in a way that was previously impossible.

The original 35mm nitrate negative film was shot at Beaumaris Zoo in Hobart, Tasmania, during December 1933. This zoo was a significant location for observing and documenting native Australian wildlife at the time. The footage serves as a precious historical record from a specific place and a bygone era, making its preservation and presentation particularly important for understanding Tasmania's fauna.

This documentary presents the sole known 35mm nitrate negative film of a thylacine, captured by naturalist David Fleay at Beaumaris Zoo in Hobart back in December 1933. The film's true marvel lies in its recent colourisation, bringing a lost world and a creature now extinct back to vivid life. It's a remarkable act of preservation and revelation, offering a unique window into Australia's natural history and the poignant reality of extinction.