IMDb 6.5 1988 HD

Tudawali

Tudawali

1988
87 min PG-13 USA
5.7 / 10
6.5 IMDB

Tells the story of Robert Tudawali who starred in the first ever Australian technicolour feature film, "Jedda". Station hand, actor and then Aboriginal activist, Tudawali died in 1967…

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Steve Jodrell
Starring
Ernie Dingo / Charles Tingwell

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

respectful poignant informative understated compelling historical vital sensitive solid significant moving tribute

Reviews

I
Isabelle Moreau
May 20, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

'Tudawali' serves as a valuable retrospective on the life of Robert Tudawali, the celebrated star of 'Jedda'. Ernie Dingo offers a sensitive portrayal, guiding the audience through Tudawali's impactful journey from his early days to his role as…

A
Arthur Pendelton
May 20, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

A vital piece of Australian cinematic history rediscovered, 'Tudawali' honours the legacy of its namesake with clarity and respect. Ernie Dingo commands the screen as Robert Tudawali, embodying the spirit of a man who left an indelible mark…

G
Genevieve Dubois
May 20, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

This biographical account of Robert Tudawali, starring Ernie Dingo, charts the course of a man who became an icon through 'Jedda', Australia's first colour feature. Dingo’s portrayal is solid, capturing the essence of a figure who transitioned from…

M
Marcus Bellweather
May 20, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

A poignant exploration of a forgotten luminary, 'Tudawali' offers a compelling portrait of Robert Tudawali, the face of Australia's ambitious 'Jedda'. Ernie Dingo inhabits the role with a quiet dignity, effectively conveying the man's evolution through varied roles…

E
Eleanor Vance
May 20, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

Ernie Dingo delivers a grounded performance in 'Tudawali', essaying the complex journey of Robert Tudawali, the leading man of Australia's first technicolour feature, 'Jedda'. The film attempts to capture Tudawali's arc from station hand to actor to activist,…

FAQs

Absolutely. 'Tudawali' is essential viewing for anyone interested in the evolution of Australian cinema and the figures who shaped it. It shines a light on Robert Tudawali, a star of the pioneering 'Jedda', and his broader journey as an activist. The film offers insight into a crucial period of Australian filmmaking and the cultural impact of Indigenous artists. Understanding Tudawali's story provides valuable context for the nation's cinematic heritage and its ongoing dialogue with Indigenous representation.